Utah Tech Softball Adds Three New Transfers

Coach Randy Simkins and Utah Tech Softball had some big news today as their roster added three exciting players.

Here's the full press release from UT Athletics Media Relations.

St. George, Utah – July 29, 2024) - Utah Tech softball head coach Randy Simkins announced the signing of three transfer players in preparation for the 2025 season on Monday.

The newest Trailblazer additions include infielder Cassidy Hornung (Los Alamitos, Calif. / Los Alamitos HS / Fullerton College) along with right-handed pitchers Madison Lucero (Las Vegas, Nev. / Centennial HS / University of Nebraska-Omaha) and Riley Price (Mesquite, Nev. / Virgin Valley HS / Dawson CC).

"The addition of these three very skilled young ladies will add depth on the mound as well as in the infield. They all played at very successful programs so they will come in with the expectation to compete at the top of the WAC conference right away," Simikins said on the additions.

Hornung is a 2022 graduate of Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, Calif., and has spent the last two years playing shortstop for Fullerton College. Her 2024 Fullerton College team was the California 3C2A State Champions with an outstanding 44-6 overall record.

"As the starting shortstop on a very good team for the last two years, Cassidy understands the demands of the position. She is an extremely personable young lady who will work hard to be one of the best ambassadors for our school and softball program. She's going to be fun to coach!," Simkins said.

A 2022 graduate of Centennial High School in Las Vegas, Lucero was an all-region and all-state player as a prep. She played club ball with the Corona Angels under coach Marty Tyson and was among the top 36 pitchers in Extra Innings Top 100 pitchers in 2019. She has spent the last two years at University of Nebraska Omaha on a team that won back-to-back Summit League titles and earned two straight NCAA Regional appearances.

"Maddie has been a winner at every level. She's played for very good coaches in very successful programs in high school, travel ball and at the collegiate level. That experience will serve her well as she comes in and looks to strengthen our pitching staff. We're excited to see what she can do during her time as a Trailblazer," Simikins added.

Price is a 2023 graduate of Virgin Valley High School in Mesquite, Nev. She spent the 2024 season at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana earning Region XIII MVP honors and was named to the All-Conference Team and to the All Region Team.

On the mound, she tallied 283 strikeouts (second-most in NJCCA) in 184.1 innings pitched and notched 18 wins and three saves. From the place, Price hit .327 with six home runs, seven doubles and 35 RBI.
"Riley is a "local" kid from Mesquite who is absolutely thrilled to be a Trailblazer! She's a very strong pitcher with a tremendous upside. We're excited to see what she will bring to our team and our pitching staff," Simkins added.

"We are thrilled to add these three talented players to our program. They're all extremely excited to be joining our team and to be part of the Trailblazer family. We cannot wait to see how they'll make our program better on the field, off the field and in the classroom," Simkins added.

The trio of transfer additions will join six other high school additions, 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), Cemryn Pickett (Pitcher / Berthoud, Colo. / Berthoud HS / Texas Glory) and Lexie Wilson (Pitcher / Paradise Valley, Ariz. / Chaparral HS / Arizona Storm) that signed in the fall of 2023.