Smith Signs Outfielder Evans for 2015

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas head softball coach Megan Smith announced the addition of a second transfer during the offseason as Briana Evans signed with the Jayhawks for 2015. Evans, an outfielder from Tulsa, Oklahoma, played her first two seasons at Ball State before joining KU and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

“Briana will be a huge addition to our team both offensively and defensively,” said Smith. “She is a dynamic offensive player who will add much-needed speed to our lineup.  She had a tremendous amount of success at Ball State and that experience will help her jump in and contribute immediately.” 

During her sophomore season, Evans started all 52 game for Ball State in the outfield and earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region Third Team honors. She hit an impressive .400 on the year with a total of 60 hits, including three doubles and five triples. She collected nine RBIs on the season in addition to 11 stolen bases. Evans recorded a .487 slugging percentage and a .419 on-base percentage. She also totaled 30 runs scored during her sophomore campaign.

As a freshman, Evans helped guide the Cardinals to their fourth Mid-American Conference regular-season title in program history with a 37-17 (18-3 MAC) record. She played in 41 games and made seven starts. Evans tied for the team lead with 11 stolen bases in 2013 and hit .154 on the season. She scored 19 runs on the season, which was the most of any Ball State reserve player. Evans also registered a .833 fielding percentage for the year with four putouts, one assist and one error.

Evans prepped at Union High School (Tulsa, Oklahoma) for coach Jerry Pease, where she was a four-time letterwinner in softball. She helped guide the Redskins to a 40-4 overall record and an Oklahoma 6A State Fastpitch Championship during her senior and sophomore seasons. Evans earned all-district honors as a senior after hitting .507 with 30 RBIs and 12 extra base hits. During her junior campaign, Evans was selected all-conference first team.

A member of the Tulsa Shootout Gold squad for two seasons and the Oklahoma Force ’94s for one season, Evans batted .515 for the Tulsa Shootout Gold, while also recording a .538 on-base percentage and a .677 slugging percentage.

Evans is one of nine newcomers to the Jayhawk roster for the 2015 season, which includes seven freshmen and two transfers.

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