MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball head coach Becky Clark announced on Friday the addition of three more players – Victoria Ortiz (Mobile, Ala.), Jenna Galloway (Birmingham, Ala.) and Caroline "Pepper" Nichols (Hoover, Ala.) to the Jaguars' early signing class.



The trio joins Lyric Cabral (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Kennedy Cronan (Daphne, Ala.), Lauren Stringer (Taylorsville, Miss.) and Samantha Yarbrough (Fairhope, Ala.) who were announced last week.



Victoria Ortiz | Mobile, Ala. | Baker High School
5-6 | Infield / Outfield
Ortiz has been a standout performer on the softball field for Baker High School in Mobile, Ala. – one of the premier programs in the state – for head coach Tony Scarbrough.  She earned both all-region and all-state accolades during her junior and sophomore seasons.  Ortiz was named AL.com's 7A Coastal Alabama Softball Player of the Year as a sophomore as well as being named to both the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) Super All-State and 7A First-Team All-State squads.  Ortiz has also accumulated 41 home runs, 243 hits and 217 RBI during her prep career at Baker.

"To me Vic is the epitome of South Alabama softball; blue collar, high character, tremendous work ethic and great teammate," Clark said.  "Offensively, she is one of the biggest hitters from a numbers standpoint coming out of our state in the 2018 class.  She is a left-handed power bat who still has room to improve and will continue to develop once she is in our system day in and day out.  Defensively, she can play first base or a corner outfield position.  I think she is another player who will only get better as she goes and look forward to a great four years out of her."

The 5-foot-6 infielder belted 17 home runs with 79 RBI, 86 hits, 23 doubles and seven triples, while posting a .437 batting average and a .498 on-base percentage as a junior.  She also added 23 doubles and her 85 runs scored tied for most in the region.  She was also selected to compete on the South team in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) North/South All-Star Game the summer following her junior year.  

As a sophomore, Ortiz registered a .543 batting average and a .638 on-base percentage in 175 at-bats.  Ortiz had 20 home runs, 20 doubles, 98 RBI – sixth most in a single season according to the AHSAA web site – and scored 85 runs, while walking 48 times and stealing 22 bases.

She has played five years of travel ball for the West Mobile Express organization.



Jenna Galloway | Birmingham, Ala. | Oak Mountain High School
5-8 | Outfield
Galloway has lettered the past four years at Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham, Ala., for head coach Kaitlyn Griffin.  As a junior, Galloway started all 44 games for the Eagles inn centerfield where she batted .336 a .387 on-base percentage and had a .508 slugging percentage.  Of her 43 hits, 14 were for extra bases – nine doubles, two triples and three home runs.  

"Jenna's barrel control allows her to work gap-to-gap and her speed gives an added dimension to her offense," Clark said.  "Defensively, she can play all three positions in the outfield.  I project she will get faster and stronger once she is in our weight room on a regular basis, which will contribute to her overall game.  I think she has a tremendous amount of potential and has the chance to take off once she gets on campus."

Galloway also scored 33 runs while driving in 27 as a junior in her 144 plate appearances.  During the season, Galloway was named to the All-Over the Mountain Softball team.



Caroline "Pepper" Nichols | Hoover, Ala. | Hoover High School
5-1 | Infield / Outfield
Nichols has lettered the past four years at Hoover High School in Hoover, Ala., for head coach Lexi Shrout.  Entering her senior season, Nichols ranks among the top 5 in program history in batting average (.363) and stolen bases (66).

"Pepper adds some much needed speed to a class with a tremendous amount of power," Clark said.  "I expect her to compete for time at both second base and in the outfield.  Offensively, she is a left-handed slapper with great speed and barrel control who can hit in the 1-, 2-, or 9-hole.  She will give us some much needed depth and also add another base stealing threat to our lineup.  Mentality wise she is a gritty player who loves to compete."

The 5-foot-1 infielder was 51-for-139 at the plate for a .367 batting average during her junior campaign.  She recorded four doubles, drove in 13 and scored 54 runs, while also swiping 25 bases.  Nichols also drew 17 walks, and had a .443 on-base percentage and a .839 on-base plus slugging percentage.  She was named to the All-Over the Mountain Softball team.

As a sophomore, Nichols hit for a .361 average with a .404 on-base percentage and helped the Bucs advance to the Class 7A North Central Regional.   She finished the year with 56 hits, 10 walks and scored 45 runs.  Nichols also led Hoover with 30 stolen bases, a .436 average with runners in scoring position, while leading the team with 10 sacrifice bunts.

She is the younger sister of current Jaguar outfielder MC Nichols.  Nichols has played two years of travel ball with New Jersey Intensity and one year with Southern Spirit.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
    
Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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