UTSA announces seven newcomersUTSA announces seven newcomers
Softball

UTSA announces seven newcomers

SAN ANTONIO – UTSA softball coach Michelle Cheatham announced the addition of six student-athletes as part of the Roadrunners' 2023 recruiting class.
 
The incoming players include Sydney Bardwell, Madi Hays, Brenna Jahn, Taryn Madlock, Sydney McReynolds, Kalee Rochinski and Meredith Schmitt.
 
Coach Cheatham on the class
"This recruiting class is an important one with them needing to be able to step in right away into the American Conference their freshman year. I believe that this staff has brought in seven athletes that will thrive in that environment and continue to push the needle forward for this program."
 
Sydney Bardwell • C • Fairview, Texas • Lovejoy HS

Quoting Cheatham: "I have a soft spot for catchers and this kid hits it every time I watch her play back there. Above that, she is an amazing, high-quality person that I have really enjoyed getting to know through this process and I look forward to having the opportunity to coach on a daily basis."
 
About Bardwell: Earned A-B honor roll all four years and was District 10-5A All-District in 2022. This past season, Bardwell slashed .394/.439/.511 and was named the district 10-5A Co-Catcher of the Year. In 2021, Bardwell earned Catcher of the Year in her district as well as first-team all-district. Also in 2021, Bardwell's squad was the 5A Region 2 Bi-District champion, Region 2 Area champion and Region 2 regional champion.
 
Madi Hays • OF • Bellevue, Nebraska • Bellevue West HS

Quoting Cheatham: "Madi has done a lot on and off the field to prepare herself to compete at an exceptionally high level. She is a tremendously explosive athlete that I cannot wait to coach and watch compete every day. She will be graduating this December and will be able to join the team in the spring to begin her training, and I am eager to start this journey with her."
 
About Hays: Has a record-breaking high school career at Bellevue West where in her junior season, she set the benchmark for BAvg (.561), OBP (.638), Slug% (1.351), HR (9) and total bases (77). Those records didn't stand for long, as in her senior year, she broke all five of her school records (.600/.671/1.450, 12 homers and 87 total bases) and set another school record with 46 RBI. Her .600 batting average tied the Nebraska state record and she tied the state record for runs scored (40). Her record-setting senior season landed her on the 2022 HS All-Region first team. Plans to major in psychology and minor in kinesiology with the intent of becoming a sports psychologist.
 
Brenna Jahn • INF • Scotia, New York • Scotia-Glenville HS

Quoting Cheatham: "Brenna is a gifted player with a lot of power and athleticism that will fit perfectly within the makeup of our lineup. She's coming all the way from New York because of the people and culture that drive this program as well as the community here at UTSA. Her being a Yankees fan aside (go Astros), she's a tough and intellectual player who I couldn't be more excited to have here."
 
About Jahn: Has been playing high school softball since 2018 where she was promoted to the varsity squad as an underclassman and found herself starting in a playoff game. This past season, Jahn slashed .436/.795/.957 and was a team captain who helped her team to a playoff appearance. Plans to study criminal justice and wants to be a district attorney or a state trooper.
 
Taryn Madlock • OF • Boerne, Texas • Boerne HS

Quoting Cheatham: "I'm super excited to keep this hometown athlete in the 210. Taryn is an extremely athletic left-handed hitting outfielder whose energy and enthusiasm for the game are unmatched. She is a special player and a person that I couldn't be prouder to bring into this program."
 
About Madlock: Played four years of softball for coach Chester Pettibon where she earned first-team all-outfield and academic all-district. Madlock's squad was a regional finalist and district champion. Plans to study criminal just and minor in criminology with the intent of becoming a crime scene investigator or a criminal consultant.
 
Sydney McReynolds • OF • Houston, Texas • Langham Creek HS

Quoting Cheatham: "A quiet personality with big power capabilities from the left side of the plate. Sydney creates a lot of dynamic rotation in her swing and the results speak for themselves. She will be one to keep an eye on in this Roadrunner lineup."
 
About McReynolds: At Langham Creek, earned Academic All-District in all three seasons 2020-22 as well as earned honor roll designations during the same time frame. In her last two seasons as a sophomore and junior, batted over .400 in both seasons, earning All-District honorable mention for both campaigns. Helped lead Langham Creek to its first-ever playoff win this past season, as they were 6A Bi-District champions. Plans to study criminology/criminal justice and wants to eventually work in the FBI.
 
Kalee Rochinski • C • Montgomery, Texas • Lake Creek HS

Quoting Cheatham: "She is what will be a 2-time high school state champion that knows the work ethic and approach it takes to win. She's an absolute beast at the plate and a general behind it. Kalee has known she wanted to be a Roadrunner since the day she stepped on campus, and I can't wait to see her every day in the blue and orange."
 
About Rochinski:
A legacy recruit, her mother, Michelle (Campbell) Rochinski, played softball at UTSA from 1995-1997. Played for her mother at Lake Creek High School where she put up some massive numbers. As a junior, Rochinski earned 1st team All-District, Academic All-District, All-State Tournament team catcher, Chronicles All-Greater Houston catcher, All-Montgomery County Catcher, TGCA All Star, TWSA Honorable Mention, NFCA All-Region, NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete awards after batting .330 with 30 RBI as her squad went 41-0 and were state champions. Plans to study marketing and management and eventually wants to work in the MLB.
 
Meredith Schmitt • RHP • Kingwood, Texas • Kingwood HS

Quoting Cheatham: "I'm very excited about the future for Meredith, especially with us heading into the American Conference. She's a commanding presence in the circle and has the stuff to make people swing and miss as well as make bad contact. She is an amazing addition to the staff and will contribute to some big moments right away. 
 
About Schmitt:
In high school, besides playing well on the softball field, earned academic all-district honors. In her three years as a varsity pitcher, Schmitt has made all-district each season and led her district with the lowest ERA in the past two seasons as a sophomore and junior. The Mustangs have been bi-district champions in all three of her seasons and won the district this past season. Plans to major in business administration with the goal of eventually working in sports marketing.
 
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