UCLA Softball Announces Signing Class
November 19, 2015 | Softball
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UCLA head softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez has announced this year's recruiting class, which features five Bruins who have signed their National Letters of Intent. Joining UCLA next fall will be utility player Jenna Crawford (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill HS), outfielder Aaliyah Jordan (San Diego, Calif./Bonita Vista HS/Corona Angels), infielder Madilyn Nickles (Merced, Calif./Merced HS/All-American Sports Academy), outfielder/catcher Jacqui Prober (Santa Maria, Calif./Righetti HS/San Jose Sting) and catcher Maddie Skibitzki (Antelope, Calif./Antelope HS/Team California).
“This recruiting class will bring athleticism, speed and power to our lineup and will contribute immediately,” Inouye-Perez said. “We look forward to having them on the field and representing the four letters with great pride.”
Crawford has played the middle infield and outfield for Foothill High School in Pleasanton, Calif. under coach Matt Sweeney. “UCLA has an incredible reputation of winning championships while competing with the best competition, being in a great location and providing a great education,” Crawford said on why she selected UCLA.
“Jenna has experience in the Bruin family as the sister of 2010 National Champion Amy and brother of UCLA baseball standout Brandon,” Inouye-Perez said. “She is a very talented utility player who will add speed and great versatility to our lineup.”
Jordan has played center and right field at Bonita Vista High School in Chula Vista, Calif. under coach John Carlson. Last season, she was named Mesa League Player of the Year, First Team All-CIF and San Diego All-Academic, helping the Barons to a league title. Jordan has hit over .400 in all three of her seasons, including a .486 clip last year with a pair of home runs, 21 runs batted in, 10 doubles and five triples. Jordan plays travel ball with Corona Angels under coach Marty Tyson.
“Aaliyah is a powerful lefty who can hit with consistency to all fields,” Inouye-Perez said. “She also has great speed on the bases and in the outfield. Aaliyah will lead in the outfield and compete at the plate immediately.”
“I decided to attend UCLA because not only will I be able to get a degree from one of the top universities in the country, but also compete for a national championship at a program with the most national championships,” Jordan said.
Nickles has pitched and played shortstop for three seasons at Merced High School under coach Bart McAfee. Nicknamed Bubba, she was named Central California Conference Pitcher of the Year as a junior, helping the Bears to their third straight league title. Nickles was team MVP, Modesto Bee All-District, Merced Sun Star Softball Player of the Year and Cal-Hi Sports All-State for the second year in a row, also earning FloSoftball and MaxPreps All-American accolades. She was ranked second on the FloSoftball Hot 100 list for 2016 and named to the CCC All-Academic Team. Nickles hit .526 a season ago with eight homers, 46 RBI, 16 doubles and 12 steals, while going 22-6 in the circle with a 1.18 earned run average, 11 shutouts, five no-hitters and 287 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings.
“Bubba had an outstanding summer being an impact player on the USA Junior National Team and winning a gold medal at the World Championships,” Inouye-Perez said. “She is a very versatile athlete who can hit with power and consistency. Madilyn can pitch and play any position on the field. I look forward to getting her on the field for us as she brings her very competitive personality.”
With Team USA last summer, she played in 14 games at the World Cup of Softball and World Championships, posting a homer, 14 RBI and six walks. Nickles was invited to the 2016 National Team tryout next January, the only high school player invited. She plays travel ball with All-American Sports Academy under coach Bryan Merrida, helping them to a pair of PGF NorCal Challenge titles (2014-2015).
“I decided I wanted to attend UCLA for its prestigious athletic and academic programs,” Nickles said. “The first time I visited campus I felt as though it was my home away from home.”
Prober is an outfielder at Righetti High School in Santa Maria, Calif. under coach Michael Roberson. She was named an All-Pac-8 League selection as a sophomore and junior, helping the Warriors to a co-league title in 2015 and the outright championship in 2014. Prober hit .366 last season with a pair of homers, 15 RBI, five doubles, three triples and 10 stolen bases. She plays travel ball with San Jose Sting.
“Jacqui is an outstanding athlete with an incredible work ethic,” Inouye-Perez said. “She has versatility in the outfield and behind the plate, and will be a great addition to our program.”
“I really liked the atmosphere, the location, the program, everything,” Prober told the Santa Maria Times. Prober's parents both graduated from UCLA.
Skibitzki will enter her fourth year at catcher for the Antelope High School team under coach Lisa Sherman-Wallace. Last season, she was First Team All-City and All-Capital Valley Conference, as well as league Offensive MVP. Skibitzki hit .525 as a junior with two home runs, 20 RBI, nine doubles, six triples and 14 stolen bases. The Titans have won two league titles with Skibitzki (2013-2014), as well as a CIF runner-up showing in her freshman year.
“Maddie is a solid catcher with a very strong arm,” Inouye-Perez said. “She will bring great depth to our lineup with solid work ethic and a competitive drive.”
Skibitzki plays travel ball with Team California under coaches Mike Scott, Chris Eaton and Dean Mueller. She has played catcher, third, short and the outfield, recording a .537 average, two homers and 20 RBI in 25 games. “I felt at home after making my first visit to campus,” she said. “The philosophy of the coaching staff was in line with my goals and objectives both athletically and academically.”