Softball Adds Three to 2020 Recruiting Class

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Head Coach Brian Levin has announced the addition of three new members to the Southern Miss softball program.

Rylie Atherton, Morgan Leinstock and Columbia Holeman will all be on campus for the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester. Atherton will be a freshman and Leinstock and Holeman will be sophomores after transferring from Arizona State University and Indiana University respectively.

Levin on the signing of Atherton
"We are extremely fortunate to get a player in the 2020 class this late with the talent that Rylie possesses. She is an extremely accomplished pitcher that has had tremendous success. Quite frankly, she is a diamond in the rough and flew under the radar. The one thing that really sold us was her character. She is exactly what we want representing our program."

Levin on the transfer of Leinstock
"We are fired up to get Morgan in our program. Coming from Arizona State in the PAC-12, she has faced the best the sport has to offer. Bringing that experience to Southern Miss is invaluable. Morgan is the kind of pitcher that can dominate an opponent. She has a passion and presence in the circle that is going to make her fun to watch. There is no question her abilities will elevate our program."

Levin on the transfer of Holeman
"Columbia is a player that we as coaches call a five-tool player. She can hit for power and average, is a great defender with a strong arm, and can flat out motor on the base paths. We are looking for her to come in and make an immediate impact. She has the experience of playing in the Big Ten, so she knows what it is like to play against high level teams. Columbia is a stellar student as well, so we are expecting her to lead on and off the field."

Rylie Atherton

Pitcher | Visalia, Calif. | Kingsburg High School | Central Valley Christian School

Ended her high school career with a 1.96 ERA, a 36-21 record in the circle, 607 strikeouts over the course of 424.1 innings pitched, and an opponent batting average of .176
Posted a .409 batting average (83-for-252) and tallied 65 RBIs during her high school career
2019 Central Sequoia League Pitcher of the Year
2019 Central Section Division VI Champion
2018 and 2019 All-League First Team selection
Three-time varsity softball MVP

Atherton on why she chose Southern Miss
"I loved the coaches, the team, and the overall atmosphere!"

Morgan Leinstock

Pitcher | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Arizona State University | Horizon High School | Oro Valley Sun Cats – Judge

Pitched two innings of relief and collected three strikeouts against Maryland (March 1, 2020) in her Arizona State debut
Entered Arizona State ranked as the No. 25 high school softball player in the state of Arizona
Posted a 1.51 ERA, amassed 20 wins, and 523 strikeouts over the span of 421.1 innings pitched during her four-year career at Horizon High School
Three-time First Team All-Region selection
First Team All-Conference selection
Four-time First Team All-District selection
Four-year varsity starter
2017 Honorable Mention 6A All-State selection
Member of the Oro Valley Sun Cats – Judge club team that finished in first place at the San Diego Triple Crown Sports NIT
Four-time National Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals participant
First Team All-District selection (basketball)
Second Team All-District selection (basketball)
Three-year varisty starter (basketball)

Leinstock on why she chose Southern Miss
"I wanted to sign with Southern Miss because I believe that I can help the program, help Southern Miss win a conference title, and I know that I will have the opportunity to create a legacy here. The coaching staff treated me like family, and it feels like my home away from home, especially since my brother (Trevor Leinstock) currently attends Southern Miss and is a member of its track & field team."

Columbia Holeman

Outfielder | Morton, Miss. | Indiana University | Jackson Academy | Impact Gold Holeman Premier

Scored seven runs and stole seven bases over the course of the 15 games that she played in during her freshman campaign at Indiana (2020 season)
Recorded more steals than any other freshman on Indiana's 2020 team
Concluded her career at Jackson Academy with a .431 batting average and a .675 on-base percentage
Four-time First Team All-State selection
Four-time All-Conference selection
Jackson Academy Hall of Fame inductee
Three-time MVP selection
Holds the Jackson Academy record for most home runs and stolen bases
Named to the 2019 PGF High School All-American Watch List
Captain of the Jackson Academy varsity softball team
Member of the Impact Gold Holeman Premier team that participated in the 2019 TCS Colorado Fireworks 18U tournament, finished as the runner-up in the 2018 USSSA Select Elite tournament, and captured the 2017 USSSA Mississippi Belhaven Gold championship
Jackson Academy 100m dash record holder (track & field)
2018 and 2019 MAIS 100m Dash State Champion (track & field)
Jackson Academy Girl's Track & Field MVP

Holeman on why she chose Southern Miss
"The culture and team atmosphere that is being cultivated at Southern Miss is something I want to be a part of and help continue to grow. The coaches and players want and will to compete is something I want to contribute to. I am also super excited to represent my home state. SMTTT!"

For all of the latest Southern Miss softball news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss softball Twitter account (@SouthernMissSB), Instagram account (@southernmisssb) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Softball).

Softball Adds Three to 2020 Recruiting Class

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