University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
Photo by: CONNOR CUNNINGHAM
Gophers Welcome Four on National Signing Day
11/8/2023 3:24:00 PM | Softball
Joining the Gophers’ squad next season are Cameron Chard (Belle Plaine, Minn.), Tinley Easton (Lexington, Ky.), Jae Cosgriff (Livermore, Calif.), and Natalie Susa (Macedonia, Ohio).
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota softball head coach Piper Ritter announced the addition of four new Gophers for the 2024-25 school year with the signing of letters of intent.
Joining the Gophers' squad next season are Cameron Chard (Belle Plaine, Minn.), Tinley Easton (Lexington, Ky.), Jae Cosgriff (Livermore, Calif.), and Natalie Susa (Macedonia, Ohio).
"They are the best of the best at their respective positions and will help us continue to compete at the absolute highest level," said head coach Piper Ritter. "I fully expect that we will see an immediate impact on our program from this group. We are proud of all they have accomplished up to this point in their careers and we cannot wait to see what lies ahead for them as a part of our program."
Cameron Chard | Catcher | Belle Plaine, Minn. | Belle Plaine High School
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of the culture, players, coaches, and the atmosphere," said Chard. "As a kid from Minnesota, I have watched and dreamed of playing for the Golden Gophers. Having the opportunity to compete at the highest level at my dream school was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
Chard will join the Golden Gophers from Belle Plaine, Minn., where she earned six high school varsity letters with the softball program. With the Tigers, Chard was a three-time Minnesota Rivers All-Conference, All-Section, and AA All-State selection. She helped lead Belle Plaine to the 2023 Conference Championship as well as the 2021 2A Section softball runners up. For her efforts, she was named the Rivers Conference MVP in 2022 and 2023 under head coach Elizabeth Johnson. Chard also competes in the summer with the Northwest Bullets.
The daughter of Dan and Megan Chard, her mother played golf for the Gophers from 1998-2002. Has one sibling, Carter. She plans to major in mathematics and statistics.
From Coach Ritter:
"A hometown player who will bring us power and security behind home plate. Cameron has an unbelievable amount of power at the plate, and we are excited to keep this Minnesotan at home."
Tinley Easton | Infielder | Lexington, Ky. | Tates Creek High School
"It felt like home as soon as I stepped foot on campus," said Easton. "The atmosphere was beyond welcoming, and I'm thrilled to call myself a Gopher!"
Easton joins Minnesota after competing with the Louisville Sluggers National team for the last three seasons. Easton competes in softball and golf at Tates Creek High School where she has competed at the varsity level since her freshman year. With the Commodores softball program, Easton was named a Kentucky East-West All Star, a two-time First Team All-District Selection, and was named the Tates Creek MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Under head coach Mike Thomas as a sophomore, she led the Kentucky Region 11 in home runs. The Commodores' 2021 and 2022 home runs leader was named team MVP and the Golden Glove winner for her efforts.
The daughter of Kelly and Todd Easton, she has an older sister, Shelby, who plays softball at Union College. Easton plans to major in marketing.
From Coach Ritter:
"Tinley is a great defender up the middle and a clutch hitter who will fit right into the line up. Her speed is going to be a great addition to our strong infield."
Jae Cosgriff | Outfielder | Livermore, Calif. | Livermore High School
"The Minnesota coaching staff has been very genuine and made me feel like family," said Cosgriff. "The campus is beautiful, it's in a major city, and the softball program is very competitive."
Cosgriff signs with the Golden Gophers after competing the last four summers with the All-American Sports Academy. This past season, she finished second at the PGF Ultimate Challenge, fifth at the TCS Colorado Supplemental Power Pool, and received a berth to the PGF Premier League. In 2021, she led her team to a third place finish in the PGF Platinum League. At Livermore High School under head softball coach Andy Paulazzo, Cosgriff was named to the First Team East Bay Athletic League in 2021 and 2023. She was a second team selection in 2022, and was recognized to the First Team All-Bay Area alongside Jess Oakland in 2021. Through the 2023 high school season, Cosgriff has a career batting average of .408 with 15 home runs.
The daughter of Monique and Julian Cosgriff, her father played college baseball at Cal State East Bay. She has one sister, Devin, and plans to major in biological sciences.
From Coach Ritter:
"Jae is an excellent player who will be a play maker both on the field and in the box for the next four years with the Gophers."
Natalie Susa | Pitcher | Macedonia, Ohio | Walsh Jesuit High School
"I chose the University of Minnesota because the coaches and players made me feel like part of their family," said Susa. "I felt at home, even being 12 hours away."
Susa joins the Maroon and Gold after competing with the Ohio Outlaw National Leggins team the last four summers. At Walsh Jesuit High School under the direction of head coach Tony Scibelli and his staff, Susa was named the Greater Akron Softball Player of the Year and the Crown Conference MVP (most valuable player) in 2022. Susa earned First Team All-Conference accolades in 2022 and was a Second Team All-Northeast Ohio honoree in 2021 and 2022. Both years, Susa led Walsh Jesuit High School to win the Crown Conference. The incoming pitcher is a four year class president and member of the Spanish National Honor Society and National Honor Society.
The daughter of Joe and Lisa Susa, Natalie has one older sibling, Nikki. She intends to major in business.
From Coach Ritter:
"Natalie is a pitcher who commands the plate with a great pitch selection. Her ability to pitch call at her level is a unique trait not many pitchers have."
Joining the Gophers' squad next season are Cameron Chard (Belle Plaine, Minn.), Tinley Easton (Lexington, Ky.), Jae Cosgriff (Livermore, Calif.), and Natalie Susa (Macedonia, Ohio).
"They are the best of the best at their respective positions and will help us continue to compete at the absolute highest level," said head coach Piper Ritter. "I fully expect that we will see an immediate impact on our program from this group. We are proud of all they have accomplished up to this point in their careers and we cannot wait to see what lies ahead for them as a part of our program."
Cameron Chard | Catcher | Belle Plaine, Minn. | Belle Plaine High School
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of the culture, players, coaches, and the atmosphere," said Chard. "As a kid from Minnesota, I have watched and dreamed of playing for the Golden Gophers. Having the opportunity to compete at the highest level at my dream school was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
Chard will join the Golden Gophers from Belle Plaine, Minn., where she earned six high school varsity letters with the softball program. With the Tigers, Chard was a three-time Minnesota Rivers All-Conference, All-Section, and AA All-State selection. She helped lead Belle Plaine to the 2023 Conference Championship as well as the 2021 2A Section softball runners up. For her efforts, she was named the Rivers Conference MVP in 2022 and 2023 under head coach Elizabeth Johnson. Chard also competes in the summer with the Northwest Bullets.
The daughter of Dan and Megan Chard, her mother played golf for the Gophers from 1998-2002. Has one sibling, Carter. She plans to major in mathematics and statistics.
From Coach Ritter:
"A hometown player who will bring us power and security behind home plate. Cameron has an unbelievable amount of power at the plate, and we are excited to keep this Minnesotan at home."
Tinley Easton | Infielder | Lexington, Ky. | Tates Creek High School
"It felt like home as soon as I stepped foot on campus," said Easton. "The atmosphere was beyond welcoming, and I'm thrilled to call myself a Gopher!"
Easton joins Minnesota after competing with the Louisville Sluggers National team for the last three seasons. Easton competes in softball and golf at Tates Creek High School where she has competed at the varsity level since her freshman year. With the Commodores softball program, Easton was named a Kentucky East-West All Star, a two-time First Team All-District Selection, and was named the Tates Creek MaxPreps Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Under head coach Mike Thomas as a sophomore, she led the Kentucky Region 11 in home runs. The Commodores' 2021 and 2022 home runs leader was named team MVP and the Golden Glove winner for her efforts.
The daughter of Kelly and Todd Easton, she has an older sister, Shelby, who plays softball at Union College. Easton plans to major in marketing.
From Coach Ritter:
"Tinley is a great defender up the middle and a clutch hitter who will fit right into the line up. Her speed is going to be a great addition to our strong infield."
Jae Cosgriff | Outfielder | Livermore, Calif. | Livermore High School
"The Minnesota coaching staff has been very genuine and made me feel like family," said Cosgriff. "The campus is beautiful, it's in a major city, and the softball program is very competitive."
Cosgriff signs with the Golden Gophers after competing the last four summers with the All-American Sports Academy. This past season, she finished second at the PGF Ultimate Challenge, fifth at the TCS Colorado Supplemental Power Pool, and received a berth to the PGF Premier League. In 2021, she led her team to a third place finish in the PGF Platinum League. At Livermore High School under head softball coach Andy Paulazzo, Cosgriff was named to the First Team East Bay Athletic League in 2021 and 2023. She was a second team selection in 2022, and was recognized to the First Team All-Bay Area alongside Jess Oakland in 2021. Through the 2023 high school season, Cosgriff has a career batting average of .408 with 15 home runs.
The daughter of Monique and Julian Cosgriff, her father played college baseball at Cal State East Bay. She has one sister, Devin, and plans to major in biological sciences.
From Coach Ritter:
"Jae is an excellent player who will be a play maker both on the field and in the box for the next four years with the Gophers."
Natalie Susa | Pitcher | Macedonia, Ohio | Walsh Jesuit High School
"I chose the University of Minnesota because the coaches and players made me feel like part of their family," said Susa. "I felt at home, even being 12 hours away."
Susa joins the Maroon and Gold after competing with the Ohio Outlaw National Leggins team the last four summers. At Walsh Jesuit High School under the direction of head coach Tony Scibelli and his staff, Susa was named the Greater Akron Softball Player of the Year and the Crown Conference MVP (most valuable player) in 2022. Susa earned First Team All-Conference accolades in 2022 and was a Second Team All-Northeast Ohio honoree in 2021 and 2022. Both years, Susa led Walsh Jesuit High School to win the Crown Conference. The incoming pitcher is a four year class president and member of the Spanish National Honor Society and National Honor Society.
The daughter of Joe and Lisa Susa, Natalie has one older sibling, Nikki. She intends to major in business.
From Coach Ritter:
"Natalie is a pitcher who commands the plate with a great pitch selection. Her ability to pitch call at her level is a unique trait not many pitchers have."
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