POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State softball head coach Andrew Rich has finalized his 2023-24 recruiting class with the addition of three new Bengals transferring to the program.
"These three will all come in and have a huge impact on our program. We have a lot of returning talent, a great group of incoming freshmen and to add these three to that group only makes our roster that much better," remarked Rich. "Our coaching staff worked very hard to secure these three players and get them to Pocatello and we believe we have the roster in a very good place as we go to work on defending our Big Sky title this upcoming year."
Taylor Fitzgerald, RHP, UC Davis, Grad Student -- Rocklin, Calif.
In her four year career at UC Davis, Fitzgerald had a 3.47 ERA in 316.2 innings pitched.
She had a career-best 2.75 ERA in 91.2 innings pitched in her fourth and final season at UC Davis this past year.
Fitzgerald plans to pursue a Master's Degree in Communications while at Idaho State
"Taylor will provide us with another very experienced arm within our pitching staff," said Rich. "She has pitched at a high level in the Big West the past four years and has faced some top-level offenses. Those experiences will help her and her experience will help the rest of our pitching staff this upcoming season."
Riley Wickum, RHP, CSUN, Sophomore -- Sutter, Calif.
In her freshman season at CSUN Wickum pitched 27.2 innings over 14 appearances, including 5 starts
She had a complete game, 2-hit shutout victory over West Coast Conference champ Loyola Marymount in 2023.
Wickum had a Fantastic high school career at Sutter High in Northern California where her team went 88-6 during her four years. She was First-team All-State her senior year, going 25-1 in the circle with 303 strikeouts with a .41 ERA.
"Riley has the potential to make a true two-way impact for us," remarked Rich. "She has an incredible amount of talent in the circle as a pitcher, but she can also swing the bat with some true power as well. We are excited to see the impact she can have in the Big Sky and can't wait to see how the next three years play out for Riley in the Orange and Black."
Jaden Moore, UTL, Houston, Sophomore -- Torrance, Calif.
Moore was ranked as the No. 26 first baseman in the country in the 2022 class by Extra Innings Softball
In her high school career, Moore hit .398 with a .633 slugging percentage, 14 home runs and 64 RBIs
In 2022 Moore was named a PGF All-American Finalist
Moore was a club ball and high school teammate with current Bengal, Alyssa Yee
"We are really excited to add Jaden to our program," said Rich. "We got to see her a lot the past couple years while we were recruiting and watching Alyssa Yee and so we knew the talent and abilities that Jaden had. She will bring a very talented bat to the left side and gives us another left-handed hitter to help balance out our offensive attack. Her power should really take off playing in the Big Sky and home games at Miller Ranch."
