USI Softball signs six for 2023-24 class

By Press release submission

Dec 5, 2022

University of Southern Indiana Softball announced that six student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to compete for Head Coach Sue Kunkle's Screaming Eagles in 2023-24.

"This 2023 class will bring a lot of athleticism, versatility, and speed along with an experienced and talented transfer pitcher," Head Coach Sue Kunkle said. "Our coaching staff has seen a lot of growth from them over the last year and is confident they possess all the necessary attributes to be very successful here at USI."

Camille Burelison (Greenfield, Indiana) is a 5'5" utility player from Greenfield-Central High School who can play outfield and middle infield. As a sophomore, Burelison batted .343 with 17 runs and 34 RBIs. She hit four home runs to go along with nine additional extra-base hits. Burelison had a .459 on-base percentage and 1.146 OPS. Additionally, she also picked up seven wins and 69 strikeouts pitching in the circle in 2020-21.

"Cami has had many innings at just about every position in the field," Kunkle stated. "We will look for her to bring added speed to the outfield and work also in the middle infield. She is an aggressive baserunner and can execute offensively."

Whitley Hunter (Nashville, Illinois), out of Nashville Community High School and concluding her early collegiate career at Southeastern Illinois College, is a 5'8" pitcher and third baseman. A multi-sport athlete, Hunter also competed in volleyball and basketball in addition to softball in high school. The pitcher was a second-team All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference selection her freshman season. Last spring as a sophomore, Hunter batted .381 with 43 RBIs, 34 runs, and 20 extra-base hits, and in the circle, she posted 211 strikeouts in 215.2 innings with 22 complete games. At the plate, she also reached base at .455 percentage with a 1.016 OPS. Hunter was also named one of eight Southeastern Illinois College softball players to be recognized as an All-American Scholar Athlete by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. In high school, Hunter hit .378, scored 42 runs, and had 41 runs driven in with 29 extra-base hits. Her high school on-base percentage was .483 with a 1.182 OPS.

"Whitley is a seasoned transfer pitcher with power and great movement," Kunkle mentioned. "She has great demeanor and control in the circle and will enhance our already strong pitching staff in many areas."

Sydney Long (Haubstadt, Indiana) comes to USI from up the road north and Gibson Southern High School. The 5'4" infielder/utility is the sister of current USI Softball player Hannah Long. The multi-sport athlete earned all-state accolades in 2022 and is a two-time all-conference recipient. Long hit over .400 in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons for a career average of .450, and she set the single-season mark for stolen bases with 40. In two years on Gibson Southern's team, she has 24 extra-base hits, 80 runs scored, and 52 career stolen bases to go along with 52 RBIs. Long has a career on-base percentage of .500 and a 1.105 OPS so far in high school. Her Gibson Southern squad won the softball sectional and regional championship in 2021. Long played club ball for Indiana Fusion Elite Unruh for four years and Indiana Shockwaves Pirillo for the last two years.

"Sydney is a solid, versatile player who is quick, consistent, and aggressive offensively," Kunkle said. "Defensively, she has the ability to contribute both in the outfield as well as working with the middle infield."

Alyssa Mumaw (Greenfield, Indiana) is from New Palestine High School. The 5'4" catcher/utility player showcased a knack for getting on base in her junior season, reaching base at a .421 clip in 2021-22. Defensively, she also tallied 10 assists. Mumaw received academic honors in 2020-21 and 2021-22. She played club ball for the Indiana Shockwaves.

"Alyssa has great presence and control behind the plate. She is a scrappy, fundamental hitter and can also work with the infield," Kunkle commented.

Katelyn Satkoski (Lanesville, Indiana), out of Floyd Central High School, is a 5'6" utility/outfielder. In 2022, Satkoski hit .365 with 29 runs, 24 RBIs, and 17 extra-base hits, including seven home runs. In two seasons, she has batted .374 overall with 39 runs, 32 runs driven in, and 20 extra-base hits. Her career on-base percentage is .421, reaching at a .417 clip in 2021-22. Her 1.158 OPS in 2021-22 led to a 1.141 career OPS. Satkoski has also stolen 20 bases in her high school career. In high school, Satkoski was a National Honor Society member. Satkoski played club ball for the Fusion from 8U through 18U. Her 2017 team went to the Little League Softball World Series, placing third in Portland, Oregon.

"Kate is adding more athleticism and utility to our roster," Kunkle said. "She will bring clutch hitting and aggressive baserunning to our offense and can equally be successful in the outfield or middle infield."

Shelby Stivers (Louisville, Kentucky) is out of Fern Creek High School and can play third base and catch. Stivers batted .460 in her 2022 junior season, being named to the 2022 Sixth Region Team. She earned all-district team honors in consecutive seasons.

"Shelby brings another fundamental and strong hitter to our offense with power potential," Kunkle said. "Defensively, she will work at the corner position and behind the plate."

This past fall, Stivers led her travel ball club in RBIs and home runs.

"They each bring consistent offense with power potential as well as being able to contribute to many areas defensively," Kunkle added. "This class finds ways to produce offensively, whether it be by speed, on-base percentage, RBIs, or putting up big numbers. They come from winning programs, so our staff is confident that they will make a difference immediately."

USI Softball begins its first season as an NCAA Division I program in February, coming off a 2022 season that saw the Screaming Eagles capture their third NCAA II Midwest Region title since 2017 and another Great Lakes Valley Conference championship season.