(St. George, Utah – Nov. 15, 2023) Utah Tech softball head coach Randy Simkins announced the signing of five future Trailblazers for the 2024-25 season on Wednesday.
 
"I'm extremely excited about the addition of these five young ladies. They have speed, power, and the ability to play multiple positions," Simkins said. "They all will be tremendous additions to our team, and we're excited to see what is in store for this very talented group.
 
"This class is one that's going to provide depth in every area of the game," Simkins added. "They can both hit and field at a very high level and have found great success with both their high school and travel ball teams."
 
The 2024-25 incoming freshman class includes Jorja Crider (Infield / Eagle, Idaho / Middleton HS / Crossfire Fastpitch), Kennedy Embrey (Outfield / Farmington, Utah / Viewmont HS / USA Athletics), Rylie Haith (Outfield / Meridian, Idaho / Owyhee HS / Crossfire Fastpitch), Kinley Pappas (Catcher / Eugene, Ore. / Sheldon HS / NW Vandals) and Cemryn Pickett (Pitcher / Berthoud, Colo. / Berthoud HS / Texas Glory). 
 
Crider was a four-year starter at Middleton High School in Eagle, Idaho.  She was named the Idaho 5A Player of the Year in 2023, leading her team with 23 home runs and a .620 batting average. An infielder with the potential to develop big-time power, Crider will push for time in the middle of our lineup during her time at Utah Tech. 
 
"Jorja is the youngest of three sisters who are all very good softball players.  She plays for former Trailblazer softball coach Dave Dwyer's Crossfire Fastpitch team, so we know she's been coached well and pushed to be a very good player," Simkins said. "We're really looking forward to seeing Jorja compete against the excellent pitching we see year in and year out."
 
Embrey is from Farmington, Utah and was a four-year starter and team leader with her Viewmont High School team.  An exceptional athlete who is following in the footsteps of her three baseball-playing older brothers, she has the tools to make an impact at the top of the Trailblazer lineup. 
 
"Kennedy is fun to watch.  Her speed allows her to make some very good defensive plays in the outfield and she is also a very good first baseman," Simkins said. "Like our other recruits, her USA Athletics teams play a very competitive schedule, so she knows how to win against some of the best teams in the west. She's also a 4.0 student who ranks first in her senior class at Viewmont."
 
Haith is a center fielder Meridian, Idaho. A two-time First Team All-State player, Haith led her Owyhee High School team to an Idaho 6A state championship in 2023. With batting average of .600, tallying 54 hits, scoring 44 runs and driving in 43 more runs, she was a problem at the plate for opposing teams all year long while exceling as a top-level defender in the outfield.
 
"Rylie is a very good hitter who can hit for both power and average.  A tremendous top-of-the lineup hitter, she will be a problem for opposing pitchers and will strengthen our lineup," Coach Simkins said. "Rylie and Jorja both played for Coach Dwyer and have been to our camps, so they know about our university and our softball program. This knowledge & familiarity will help hit the ground running when they get her in the fall. 
 
Pappas plays at Sheldon High School in Eugene, Ore. A strong catcher who can also play outfield or first base, she will provide depth at all three positions.  As a junior, she hit .495 to help lead her team to a 32-1 record and an Oregon 6A state championship. 
 
"Kinley is a kid who really enjoys the game and is driven to be the very best.  We've really enjoyed watching her grow and develop over the last couple of years," Simkins said. "She has proven herself in both high school and travel ball that she can hit elite pitching and we're excited to see how she competes at the Division-I level."
 
Pickett is senior pitcher from Berthoud, Colo.  A player who started every game for four years at Berthoud High School who just finished her senior softball season, she was a four year All-Conference and three-year All-State player.  She threw eight no hitters, one perfect game and ended her career with 662 career strikeouts.   
 
"Cemryn, like Kennedy Embrey, is also following the example of her three older brothers who were all very good baseball players.  She has all the tools to be a very good collegiate pitcher and will be a great complement to our returning pitchers next year," Simkins said. "She has pitched in the big games in high school and travel ball which will help get her ready to pitch at our level.  I'm really excited to see her grow and mature as a pitcher...  We expect great things from her during her time in a Trailblazer uniform."