University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Bring in Two Key Transfers
7/18/2019 7:30:00 PM | Softball
The University of Minnesota softball team added a pair of transfers that will strengthen and add depth to the pitching staff and outfield, head coach Jamie Trachsel announced on Thursday.
The Gophers are bringing in Autumn Pease, a pitcher from Idaho State, and Brooke Vander Heide, an outfielder from BYU. Pease will have three seasons of eligibility while Vander Heide will have one.
Pease earned Big Sky All-Conference honors along with Co-Freshman of the Year honors this past season. She went 10-5 with a 2.36 era and 115 strikeouts.
"The University of Minnesota offers enriching academic opportunities in both my undergraduate and postgraduate education that cannot be matched anywhere in the nation," the 2019 Big Sky Academic honoree said. "Joining the Minnesota softball program has always been a dream of mine. I want to be a part of something great."
The right handed pitcher garnered high school All-American honors by Cal-Hi Sports in 2018 and MaxPreps in 2017 with Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif. She was the Southwestern League Pitcher of the Year in both 2017 and 2018 and was named the Southern Section Division 3 Player of the Year in 2017.
"We are excited to welcome Autumn to our softball program," Trachsel said. "She will not only add strength and depth to our pitching staff, but her commitment to academics and to maximizing her overall experience as a student-athlete is a great fit for both our program and the University of Minnesota.
Vander Heide was featured on SportsCenter for a highlight reel play in the outfield in the NCAA Regionals. She made over 80 career starts for BYU and earned 2018 Eugene All-Region honors. She has also been named to the WCC Commissioner's Silver Honor Roll, the WCC All-Academic Team and earned NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honors.
"The University of Minnesota softball program is obviously outstanding, and it is exciting to get the opportunity to be part of something great," Vander Heide said. "More importantly, I loved the coaches and staff and how they treated me. They are extremely welcoming and knowledgeable people. It will be the perfect fit for me for my senior year."
The lefty out of Sandy, Utah was a Max Prep Second Team All-American for medium schools for Alta High School and was named to the PGF Mountain All-American Team. She holds the all-time Utah state record for single season batting average at .712.
"We are excited to welcome Brooke into our Minnesota softball family," Trachsel said. "Her passion, maturity and experience will add strength and depth to our outfield. She will be a great representation of the University of Minnesota and the core values of our program and our athletic department."
The Gophers are bringing in Autumn Pease, a pitcher from Idaho State, and Brooke Vander Heide, an outfielder from BYU. Pease will have three seasons of eligibility while Vander Heide will have one.
Pease earned Big Sky All-Conference honors along with Co-Freshman of the Year honors this past season. She went 10-5 with a 2.36 era and 115 strikeouts.
"The University of Minnesota offers enriching academic opportunities in both my undergraduate and postgraduate education that cannot be matched anywhere in the nation," the 2019 Big Sky Academic honoree said. "Joining the Minnesota softball program has always been a dream of mine. I want to be a part of something great."
The right handed pitcher garnered high school All-American honors by Cal-Hi Sports in 2018 and MaxPreps in 2017 with Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif. She was the Southwestern League Pitcher of the Year in both 2017 and 2018 and was named the Southern Section Division 3 Player of the Year in 2017.
"We are excited to welcome Autumn to our softball program," Trachsel said. "She will not only add strength and depth to our pitching staff, but her commitment to academics and to maximizing her overall experience as a student-athlete is a great fit for both our program and the University of Minnesota.
Vander Heide was featured on SportsCenter for a highlight reel play in the outfield in the NCAA Regionals. She made over 80 career starts for BYU and earned 2018 Eugene All-Region honors. She has also been named to the WCC Commissioner's Silver Honor Roll, the WCC All-Academic Team and earned NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete honors.
"The University of Minnesota softball program is obviously outstanding, and it is exciting to get the opportunity to be part of something great," Vander Heide said. "More importantly, I loved the coaches and staff and how they treated me. They are extremely welcoming and knowledgeable people. It will be the perfect fit for me for my senior year."
The lefty out of Sandy, Utah was a Max Prep Second Team All-American for medium schools for Alta High School and was named to the PGF Mountain All-American Team. She holds the all-time Utah state record for single season batting average at .712.
"We are excited to welcome Brooke into our Minnesota softball family," Trachsel said. "Her passion, maturity and experience will add strength and depth to our outfield. She will be a great representation of the University of Minnesota and the core values of our program and our athletic department."
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