MIAMI – The FIU Softball team has added six players to the roster as part of the 2022 signing class, which was announced by head coach Mike Larabee on Tuesday.
 
The six-member group includes players from five different states and was ranked as the top recruiting class in Conference USA and No. 42 nationally by Extra Innings Softball.
 
Morgan Adams (1B/Lincoln, Neb.), Kaleena Downing (INF/OF/Nowata, Okla.), Makayla "Mimi" Navarro (INF/Altamonte Springs, Fla.), Isabella Perez (C/Key West, Fla.), Logan Turner (INF/Lee's Summit, Mo.) and Ella Whitney (P/1B/Martinsville, Ind.) make up the new additions.
 
"I am extremely excited to welcome these six athletes to Miami," Larabee said.  "We already have some great talent on the team and these young ladies are going to add to the athleticism, energy, leadership and competitiveness we have as a group.  They will immediately push our current players and will challenge for playing time right away. I'm confident they will be players that Panther Nation will enjoy supporting as they represent the Blue and Gold."
 
Adams was a three-time all-conference, two-time all-state and two-time super state selection during her career at Lincoln East High School.  She was also an academic all-state choice and ranked as the No. 128 recruit overall nationally in the 2022 class according to Extra Innings.
 
"Morgan (Adams) will bring a big left-handed bat to our lineup," Larabee said.  "She has great power and is a very gifted first basemen with outstanding footwork around the bag."
 
Downing was a first-team all-state choice after recording a batting average of .385 with 12 doubles and six round trippers for Dewey High School in Nowata, Okla.  She is slotted as the No. 163 ranked recruit by Extra Innings.  She can handle third base duties or cover a position in the outfield.
 
"Kaleena is a strong, versatile player," Larabee said.  "She plays a solid hot corner and can go get a ball in the outfield. She's got a powerful stick that will be somewhere in the middle of the lineup. A great base runner as well. Look for Kaleena to be a major contributor all four years."
 
Navarro was a four-year varsity player at Montverde Academy in Altamonte Springs, Fla., where she posted a batting average of .349 in 2021 along with a .453 on-base percentage.  She was honored with selection to the 2021 FACA All-State Team and was her team's winner of the clutch award, for her late game performances under pressure.  Navarro is ranked as the No. 84 recruit in the 2022 class by Extra Innings.
 
"I fell in love watching "Mimi" play shortstop last year in Colorado," Larabee said.  "She is a slick fielding infielder that attacks the ball and can throw from many different arm slots. It is a joy watching her compete. She also can swing the bat.  Her travel ball coaches call her "Little Altuve".
 
Perez was a four-year starter at Key West High School who boasts a strong arm behind the plate.  She was invited to the to the Select 30 games in 2017 and was honored as a 2022 First Team All-America choice for the class of 2022.  Perez was an all-county selection following her junior campaign and was a nominee for Miss Florida Softball (4A).
 
"I absolutely love the way "Bella" can shut down the running game," Larabee said.  "I consistently timed her pop time at 1.68 to 1.72.  "Not only does she possess a strong arm it is very accurate, but also is a left-handed hitter who can hit both gaps.  Power will come as she matures and gets into a structured strength-training program."
 
Turner is a three-time all-conference and two-time all-region selection out of Lee's Summit North High School.  She is listed on the Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) 2022 All-America Watch List and was named to the all-tournament team at the 2019 PGF National Championships.  Turner is ranked as the No. 75 recruit nationally according to Extra Innings.
 
"The first time I evaluated Logan she smoked a double down the left field line and then took a low outside pitch and hit a missile to right field," Larabee said.  "She is an outstanding hitter who is pound for pound one of the most powerful and polished hitters in the 2022 class.  She can play multiple infield positions at a very high level."
 
Rounding out the new Panthers is Ella Whitney, a pitcher and first baseman out of Martinsville High School in Indiana.  She ripped a batting average of .403 including seven homers during her junior season and registered a clip of .443 for her club team, the Beverly Bandits.  She also led Martinsville's volleyball team to four sectional championships.  She is the No. 50 ranked player and the No. 19 ranked pitcher/duo according to Extra Innings.
 
"Our staff is super excited about adding Ella to our program," Larabee said.  "She is a talented two-way player who can pitch consistently in the mid-60's and can change planes very effectively.  Ella is also an outstanding hitter who will compete for a spot in the middle of our lineup. Ella is a fierce competitor and loves to pitch in the big games."
 
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