Smith Signs Seven in 2014 Recruiting Class

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas head coach Megan Smith and her staff announced the signing of the seven future Jayhawks for the 2015 season. The 2014 class features four infielders, an outfielder, a utility player and a pitcher.

“We are really excited with our 2014 class,” said Smith. “We have worked hard to bring in these seven players who bring athleticism to our program. They are not only a special class because of their talents and the impact that they will make on our program, but they will also be the first class to play their entire career at the new stadium at Rock Chalk Park.”

Morgan Bohanan (Goddard, Kan./Goddard High School), Daniella Chavez (Crowley, Texas/Crowley High School), Bryn Houlton (Savanna, Okla./Savanna High School), Erin McGinley (Prairie Village, Kan./Shawnee Mission East High School), Amanda Organ (Houston, Texas/Northland Christian School), Jessie Roane (Rio Rancho, N.M./Rio Rancho High School) and Mikayla Warren (Olathe, Kan./Northwest High School) have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their education and softball careers at Kansas.

Goddard High School
• A three-time All- Ark Valley Chisolm Trail selection, 2013 AVCT Player of the Year and Wichita Eagle All-Metro team honoree.
• Earned All-Kansas honors three times throughout her high school career.
• As a freshman, helped Goddard High School win the AVCTL Championship, regional championship and to a third-place finish in the 6A state tournament.
• Also won an AVCTL and district championship as a junior and went on to place fourth at the 5A state tournament.

Tulsa Elite Gold
• Played for Steve Bevan.

Coach Smith on Bohanan:
“Morgan Bohanan is a versatile defensive player who is a left-handed hitter that hits for average and power. I have been really impressed with her fiery demeanor and ability to step up and lead on the field. She is going to make a big impact on the field for us with her physical talents and leadership skills.”

Crowley High School
• Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State selection and first-team all-district in 2013.
• Named Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, along with being an all-state and all-district selection.
• Also lettered in basketball.

Texas Glory
• Played for Kevin Shelton and Ed Naudin.

Personal
• Daughter of Tischa Schroeder.
• Four year Honor Roll member.

Coach Smith on Chavez:
“Daniella is a true lefty power hitter who has the ability to change a game with one swing. She has played with the Texas Glory and has competed amongst the best in the country, which I know will prepare her to be successful in the Big 12.”

Savanna High School
• Helped Savanna High School to two second-place Oklahoma state finishes, a semifinal appearance, four Pitt 8 Conference Titles, four Pitt 8 Conference Tournament titles and four Class 2A Regional Championships.
• A three-time Pitt 8 Conference Player of the Year and 2013 All-Oklahoma selection.
• As a junior, recorded 263 strikeouts with an ERA of 0.96. During her senior season, struck out 289 and recorded an ERA of 1.38 in her final season with the Bulldogs.
• In four years recorded 1,085 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.34.
• Offensively, hit .536 as a sophomore and .420 as a senior. She recorded a career average of .425.
• Also lettered in basketball and track and field.

Oklahoma Diamond Girls
• Played for Kenny Myers and Danielle Olsen.
• 2011 Colorado Fireworks Tournament MVP.
• 2010 Oklahoma Diamond Girls Tournament Champions.

Personal
• Daughter of Shelly and Jason Hallum and Bill and Holly Houlton.
• Mother, Shelly, played basketball at Oklahoma State.
• Intends to major in accounting.

Coach Smith on Houlton:
“Bryn is a dominant pitcher with a great presence on the mound. She does a great job of hitting her spots and she mixes speeds really well. She is a great addition to our staff and I am excited to see her growth and development under coach Abbie Sims.”

Shawnee Mission East
• Earned First-Team All-Sunflower League honors in 2013.
• Led the Sunflower League in 2013 with nine triples.
• Hit .494 in 22 games with 27 runs scored, 15 RBIs and 12 stolen bases during her junior season.
• Helped Shawnee Mission East win the regional championship in 2012, while hitting .342 and recording an on base percentage of .395.
• Also lettered in volleyball and basketball.

Diamond Devils
• Played for Mike McGinley.
• Went undefeated en route to winning the U.S. Speciality Sports Association (USSSA) State Warm Up Tournament in 2011, while hitting .429 and a slugging percentage of .571.
• Since 2011, has a batting average of .375 with 16 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .619.

Personal
• Daughter of Mike and Kristy McGinley.
• Sister, Shannon, is an outfielder at Virginia.

Coach Smith on McGinley:
“Erin is extremely athletic and versatile and she will bring speed to our lineup. We love watching Erin play because she is an aggressive player who plays with a lot of grit. We can’t wait to have her bring that attitude to our team.”

Northland Christian High School
• The first freshman in Northland Christian High School history to be named Female Athlete of the Year, which she earned twice in her career.
• Named to the all-state team in 2012 and 2013, and all-state honorable mention in 2011. A three-time team MVP and first-team all-district selection.
• Set school records for batting average (.489), slugging percentage (.793), triples (13) and career fielding percentage (.955).
• Also lettered in volleyball, basketball and golf.

Personal
• Daughter of Dan and Kathryn Organ.
• Has three sisters: Ashley, Alison and Andrea.
• Sister, Alison, played softball at Texas Lutheran University.
• Member of the National Honor Society and honor roll.

Coach Smith on Organ:
“Amanda is a versatile and consistent player who will be able to play multiple positions. She has dominated in every sport she has played and that competitiveness and drive will help her compete and be successful at this level.”

Rio Rancho High School
• Has played on the Rio Rancho Varsity softball team since the eighth grade.
• Helped the Rams to a second-place finish in state and district runner-ups during her eighth grade year and freshman year, respectively.
• A four-time all-district selection, hit .512 with 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and earned team MVP honors as a junior.
• Also earned second-team all-state honors and twice has been named to the all-metro team.

18U Sundancers
• Played for Paul Kohman.
• Won the 2010 ASA 14U state championships and the 2011 18U USSSA state championship.
• Named to the Adidas All-Star Team class of 2014.

Personal
• Daughter of Jason and Sandra Roane.
• A member of the honor roll.

Coach Smith on Roane:
“Jessie’s athleticism and dynamic play has impressed me from the first moment I saw her. She is a force defensively in the infield and behind the plate. Her work ethic and drive is phenomenal.”

Olathe Northwest High School
• Helped Olathe Northwest High School to a 6A state championship in 2011. She earned Co-Newcomer of the Year, All-Sunflower League, All-Olathe and all-metro honors.
• Hit .527 as a freshman with a slugging percentage of .784 and 15 stolen bases.
• As a sophomore, named first-team all-state, All-Sunflower League, All-Olathe and All-Metro, while recording seven triples, 27 RBIs and setting a new slugging percentage record of .865.
• During junior season, named to the All-Olathe and All-Metro teams. Also set a new record with 29 stolen bases.

KC Zephyrs Gold
• Played for coach Rob Wade.

Team Kansas Gold
• Played for coach Mark Ingle.
• Qualified for Premiere and Gold Nationals.
• Played Gold and placed in the Top 30.

Personal
• Daughter of Michael and Crisha Warren.
• Has a sister, Maliyah.
• A member of the Presidential Honor Roll, Excellence in Spanish three times and Excellence in Algebra and Trigonometry.

Coach Smith on Warren:
“Mikayla has been coming to our camps and clinics for the last four years and we are so excited that she will finally be wearing a Jayhawk jersey. Mikayla adds speed to our lineup and defensive versatility. We love how Mikayla approaches the game. Her enthusiastic personality will be a great addition to our team.”