Bluejay Softball Announces Signing of Seven Recruits

OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton softball head coach Krista Wood announced a recruiting class of seven women on Wednesday that have signed to pursue their education and continue their softball careers at Creighton University.

Joining the Bluejays in the fall of 2023 will be infielder Aiyana Curry (San Diego, Calif.), outfielder Erika Kanetzky (Austin, Texas), infielder Kenzie Nakasawa (Yuma, Ariz.), pitcher Brooklyn Patchen (Whitehouse, Ohio), infielder Ashten Pierson (Wamego, Kan.), catcher/infielder Sydney Potter (Runnells, Iowa) and pitcher Brooke Shifflett (Pleasant Hill, Mo.).

"We are thrilled to have such a talented class of student-athletes joining the softball program here at Creighton University," Wood said. "This recruiting class is an exceptionally dedicated and passionate group of student-athletes that have proven success both on the field and in the classroom. Their work ethic, character, and leadership truly align with the mold of our team's culture and vision and will fit right into our Bluejay family."

Below is a profile on each prospect.

Aiyana Curry, Infielder, San Diego, Calif., Mira Mesa HS

A utility player from Mira Mesa High School in San Diego, California.
Played varsity softball for the Marauders as a freshman before becoming the first female to play baseball at Mira Mesa HS.
Participated in the inaugural MLB Girls Baseball Elite Development Invitational at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Florida this past July.
Earned Golden Glove and Silver Slugger awards after first season of high school baseball.
Hit .312 and had a .500 on-base percentage during junior season.
Played club softball for the Power Surge Gold 18U and was coached by Steve Walling.
Also played four years of basketball, earning the most improved award following her sophomore season.
Member of the National Society of High School Scholars, Theatre/Drama Club and Circle of Friends group.
Volunteered at the San Diego Food Bank, with the SD Waves Girls Baseball Clinic and with the Athletic Initiative Annual Toys for Kids Challenge.
Father played basketball at Point Loma Nazarene University and later played professional in Mexico for The Tiburónes. Aiyana's Cousin Brian ran track and field for Cal State, while her cousin Dana was a pitcher at Azusa Pacific University.

"Aiyana is a competitor who any coach and player would want on their team," said Wood. "She is a vocal player and brings a high level of energy that never fails to positively impact her teammates. She takes the field with great intent and purpose and has a powerful bat. Aiyana always plays the game with passion and will be a great leader for us. We are looking forward to having her as a part of our team."

Erika Kanetzky, Outfielder, Austin, Texas, Dripping Springs High School

Guided the Tigers to their third straight Class 5A Region IV District 26 Championship during junior season.
Earned Class 5A All-State and All-District 26 recognition after recording a .519 batting average and a .509 slugging percentage as a junior.
Led Tigers to a 21-9-1 overall record and a District 26 title with a 15-1 league mark as a sophomore.
Hit a team-best .402 with 35 hits including 10 doubles and 24 RBI on the way to earning First Team All-District honors during her sophomore year.
Started high school career by hitting .427 with 47 hits and 35 runs scored, while guiding Dripping Springs High School to a 13-6 record in a shortened Covid season.
Has posted a .438 career batting average with 109 hits, including 17 doubles, two triples and 78 runs scored.
Also excelled on the track in high school, earning two varsity letters.
Played club softball for the Texas Bombers Gold American under the direction of Adrian Rodriguez.
Is heavily involved within her community, volunteering at local churches and youth events.
Her older sister, Mikayla, played softball at the University of Texas Dallas.

"Erika is a lefty slapper who brings speed to our lineup," stated Wood's. "She has the quickness to chase down any ball in the outfield and competes each at bat to find a way on base. Erika plays the game with an infectious enthusiasm and her positive attitude will be embraced by our team. We are pumped to see her take the field for the Bluejays next year."

Kenzie Nakasawa, Infielder, Yuma, Ariz., Cibola HS

An infielder that can play outfield from Cibola High School in Yuma, Arizona.
Was named the 2020-2021 Yuma Sun/Yuma Rotary Club Softball Player of the Year after hitting .621.
Led Raiders to the Arizona Class 5A State playoffs after recording team-highs with 36 doubles, 12 triples and two home runs during sophomore season.
Finished junior season with a .432 batting average and a .621 slugging percentage.
Earned a spot on Arizona's All-Academic Softball First Team during her first three years of high school while accumulating a 4.0 GPA.
Was also an AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) Scholar Athlete during her sophomore and junior season.
Played club softball for the Power Surge Walling 18U Gold team under the direction of Steven Walling.
Also played varsity volleyball during freshman and sophomore seasons.

"Kenzie has extreme power from the right side of the plate and has the ability to come up clutch in big situations," said Wood. "She is fearless in the infield and is a natural leader whose passion for the game is contagious. Kenzie will have a tremendous impact on our program."

Brooklyn Patchen, Pitcher, Whitehouse, Ohio, Anthony Wayne HS

Ranked 64^th in the Class of 2023 Extra Inning Softball Extra Elite Top 100.
A pitcher from Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio.
Earned First Team All-State recognition after leading the Generals to the Northern Lakes League District Title and the OHSAA Division I State Championships with a 27-1 overall record during junior season.
Was named First Team All-District and First Team All-Northern Lakes League Player of the Year as a junior after posting a 0.86 ERA with 219 strikeouts.
Led Generals with a .523 batting average and a .899 slugging percentage on 17 doubles, six triples and four home runs while driving in a team-best 35 RBI during junior year.
Hit .422 with 46 hits, eight doubles, three triples and three home runs while earning First Team All-Northern Lakes League recognition during her sophomore season.
Guided her team to the OHSAA Division I State Semifinals during sophomore year while recording a 3.17 ERA and 135 strikeouts in 92.2 innings of work.
Also played club softball for Turnin2 and was coached by Ron Pezzoni.
Helped her club team win the JO Cup in Oklahoma City and the Firecracker Invitational in Indianapolis as she hit .316 and had an ERA of 1.34 with 135 strikeouts in 114.1 innings.
Will graduate in May with an honors diploma.

"Brooklyn is a crafty pitcher who can spin the ball in every direction," said Wood. "Her ball movement and command of her pitches is continually improving. Not only that, but she also has a strong bat which will bring depth to our offensive lineup. We're thrilled Brooklyn will be a part of the future of Bluejay softball."

Ashten Pierson, Infielder, Wamego, Kan., Wamego HS

An infielder from Wamego High School in Wamego, Kansas.
Earned Class 4A All-State honors after guiding the Red Raiders to a 23-2 overall record and a runner-up finish at the Kansas Class 4A State Tournament as a junior.
Led her team with a .463 batting average while driving in 12 runs on eight doubles, four triples and two home runs to earn First Team All-North Central Kansas Honors.
Helped lead the Red Raiders to a Class 4A State Championship, while earning First Team Class 4A All-State as a sophomore.
Hit .471 with 33 hits, eight doubles, four triples and three home runs while garnering First Team All-Conference recognition.
Played club softball for the Aces under the direction of Ryan Taylor, Taylor Taylor and David Johnson.
Also participated in golf and basketball all four years of high school.
Earned All-State honors in basketball during her first three season while guiding the Red Raiders to North Central Kansas District Championships and a third-place finish in the 2021-22 Kansas state basketball tournament.
Won the Kansas Class 4A Individual State Championship in golf as a junior.
Also helped guide the Red Raiders to two team Class 4A State Golf Championships and two Class 4A State Golf Runner-up finished in her high school career.
Her brother played baseball at Cloud Community College and is currently playing for Hawaii Pacific.

"Ashten is an outstanding athlete who plays the middle infield fearlessly," stated Wood. "We have seen Ashten continue to embrace big moments in her high school and travel ball games. Between her competitiveness and her speed, Ashten finds ways to get on base, making her a force to be reckoned with. We look forward to her bringing her commitment to winning to our program."

Sydney Potter, Catcher/Infielder, Runnells, Iowa, Southeast Polk HS

A catcher and third baseman from Southeast Polk High School in Runnells, Iowa.
Guided the Rams to a 25-14 overall record and a Class 5A State Tournament Appearance during junior year.
Earned First Team All-State and All-Central Iowa Metro League Conference honor after leading all of Class 5A with 16 home runs and a .385 batting average as a junior.
Led Southeast Polk to a Class 5A District 2 Championship and a Class 5A State Tournament appearance after posting a .455 batting average with a 1.017 slugging percentage as a sophomore.
Ranked first in Class 5A and tied for third in the state of Iowa with 19 home runs during sophomore season.
Was named First Team All-State, All-District and All-Central Iowa Metro League following sophomore campaign
Earned All-Conference Honorable Mention after hitting .358 with five doubles and five home runs as a freshman.
Played high school softball since her eighth-grade year.
Named to the All- Central Iowa Metro League Academic team twice.
Played club softball for the Iowa Bandits and was coached by Clay Rickert.
Mother played in 97 games for the Bluejays from 2001-2002, while her father played baseball at Nebraska during their run to the College World Series in 2001.

"Sydney is a complete package player who will no doubt be a game-changer for Creighton softball," said Wood. "Not only is she aggressive with a strong arm behind the plate on defense, but she also has a powerful bat. Sydney has been a key leader for her high school team since eighth grade year and brings a lot of experience to the team. We're very excited to have Sydney wearing Creighton blue next year."

Brooke Shifflett, Pitcher, Pleasant Hill, Mo., Pleasant Hill HS

A utility player from Pleasant Hill High School in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
Was named First Team All-Conference, All-District, All-Regional and All-State as a junior and senior.
Guided the Roosters and Chicks to a Class 3 District 7 Runner-up finish with a 1.04 ERA and 144 strikeouts in the circle, while hitting .386 with 34 hits including four doubles, five triples and eight home runs as a senior.
Led Pleasant Hill to their third straight MRVC Conference Championship and the District 7 Regional Final after posting a 0.98 ERA with 238 strikeouts as a junior.
Hit .350 and posted a .833 slugging percentage with two doubles, three triples and seven home runs, earning First Team All-District 7 honors as a sophomore.
An Earl Award finalist for best high school pitcher in the Kansas City Metro area as a junior.
Earned Academic All-State honors following junior season, while receiving Academic All-Conference Recognition all four years of high school.
Played club softball for the Mac n Seitz and was coached by Mike McFarland.
Father, Steve, played baseball at Longview and Emporia State before playing professionally in the minors for the Cubs, Royals and Rockies.
Mother, Jodie, played basketball at Emporia State, while her aunt, Lisa, played basketball, volleyball and tennis at Missouri Valley College and Longview and her sister, Paige, played softball at Missouri Western.

"Brooke is a workhorse in the circle and will add even more depth to our pitching staff," said Wood. "She is a playmaker who has the ability to keep batters off balance. We are eager to watch what she can do for our program."

Bluejay Softball Announces Signing of Seven Recruits

Related Videos