LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball head coach Megan Smith announced the addition of four transfers to the 2018 roster on Monday. The four newest Jayhawks collectively account for all-conference and national player of the year accolades from the NCAA Division I and junior college levels.

“We are thrilled to add some talent to our already talented incoming class for the 2018 season,” Smith said. “The four that we signed this summer will contribute greatly to our program in a lot of different areas – each will be integral in helping us pursue our goals the Jayhawk way. We can’t wait to get started to see how our total of nine newcomers complement and compete with our returners this year.”

KU’s group of summer signees include pitcher/infielder Haidyn Bassett (Oskaloosa, Kan.), utility player Sam Dellinger (Papillion, Neb.), utility/pitcher Brynn Minor (Wichita, Kan.) and middle infielder Miranda Rodriguez (Elk Grove, Calif.). In total, the Jayhawks are adding nine newcomers to the 2018 roster after signing five in November.

Haidyn Bassett — P/INF — S/R — 5-11 — Sophomore — Oskaloosa, Kan.

Bassett returns to the state of Kansas after spending last year at South Dakota State. The switch-hitting Oskaloosa, Kansas, native did not play for the Jackrabbits as a freshman due to an illness. At Oskaloosa High School, the 2016 graduate was a two-time Lawrence Journal World Player of the Year, a two-time Kansas City Star All-Metro selection and a two-time MaxPreps Small School All-American.

Bassett holds 22 school records at Oskaloosa and owns a pair of records in the state of Kansas for home runs in a game (three) and shutouts in a season (12). Over her four-year career, she struck out 50.1 percent of batters faced (647 total) while holding opponents to a .134 batting average against in her career.

Coach Smith on Bassett: Adding depth in the pitching circle is important and Haidyn will provide that for us. She is from right down the road in Oskaloosa, but comes to us after a year at South Dakota State. Since an illness kept her from the field last season, 2018 will be her first year of collegiate competition. She is powerful in both aspects of her game and we are excited to see her develop as a Jayhawk.

Sam Dellinger — Utility — R/R — 5-3 — Sophomore — Papillion, Neb.

A 2017 All-Big East First Team selection, Dellinger started all 50 games for Creighton as a freshman. She hit .338 with 52 hits, including a team-leading 13 doubles, 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. Dellinger led the Bluejays in seven offensive categories during her freshman season.

Dellinger prepped at Papillion-La Vista High School, where she was named the 2016 Gatorade State Softball Player of the Year in the state of Nebraska. A four-time all-state selection, Dellinger led the Monarchs to a runner-up finish in the 2015 Class A state tournament with a .526 batting average, 16 doubles, 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. During her highly decorated prep career, Dellinger aided the Monarchs in four trips to the state tournament, including a pair of runner-up finishes.

Dellinger will have three remaining years of eligibility to play for the Jayhawks.

Coach Smith on Dellinger: “We are excited to have Sam’s athleticism on our roster. She had an outstanding freshman year at Creighton, where she displayed an impressive offensive skillset. She is also a versatile defensive player who can play multiple positions. She is gritty, tough and really athletic.”

Brynn Minor — P/Utility — R/R — 5-9 — Junior — Wichita, Kan.

Minor comes to Kansas as the 2017 NJCAA National Player of the Year after leading Butler County Community College to back-to-back NJCAA Division I national titles in 2016 and 2017. Last season, Minor set Butler single-season records in batting average (.497) and home runs (30), while leading all NJCAA hitters in extra base hits (57) and slugging percentage (1.158). In the circle, Minor made 34 appearances with eight starts and had a 13-0 record with a 1.07 earned-run average.

During her two years at Butler, Minor helped lead the Grizzlies to a 111-5 record and finished as the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in batting average (.478), hits (174), doubles (41) and earned-run average (1.03). The Wichita native attended Goddard Eisenhower High School, where she was a KSHSAA Class 5A all-state selection in 2015.

Minor will have two remaining years of eligibility to play for the Jayhawks.

Coach Smith on Minor: Brynn had such a tremendous career at Butler County with two national championships and a national player of the year award last season. She does it all – a powerful bat, range in the outfield and a great arm in the circle. She is a competitor and knows how to win. Simply put, she is a dynamic player. As a Kansas native, she wanted to be a Jayhawk and we are looking forward to her future here with great excitement.

Miranda Rodriguez — INF — L/R — Sophomore — Elk Grove, Calif.

Rodriguez comes to KU after one standout season at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California, where she led the Hawks with 67 hits and three triples. The Elk Grove, California, native added 11 doubles and 37 RBIs on a .424 batting average at the plate during her freshman season. In the field, Rodriguez, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, had 140 assists and nine double plays as a middle infielder.

A 2016 graduate of Elk Grove High School, Rodriguez was named a First Team All-Metro by the Sacramento Bee as a senior. In club competition, she helped win the 14U Triple Crown World Series in Sparks, Nevada.

Rodriguez will have three remaining years of eligibility to play for the Jayhawks.

Coach Smith on Rodriguez: “Miranda is a versatile, left-handed hitting middle-infielder who has great speed. She is a true student of the game. I work with the development of our infielders, and I think she brings a lot to the table. She has played high-level softball her whole life and will to add a ton to our infield and our offensive line up with her versatility.”

Kansas Softball 2017-18 Newcomers

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