Northwestern University Athletics
Drohan Announces Five Signees to Class of 2025
11/12/2020 8:53:00 AM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Head Coach Kate Drohan announced the addition of five signees to Northwestern Softball's incoming Class of 2025 on Thursday.
"We are honored to welcome these five families to our Northwestern program," said Drohan. "These women bring a diverse skill set to the field and will provide a great spark for our program. They are bright, motivated students who will excel in the classroom and be great additions to our campus community."
The five newcomers join an already impressive core of returning players in Evanston, as Northwestern returns every starter from the 2020 season which was cut short in March amid the COVID 19 pandemic.
Complete details on the Wildcats 2020 signing class are below.
Lauren Curry – P
Hits: R
Throws: R
Whitehouse, OH
Anthony Wayne High School
High School: Earned four varsity letters playing softball at Anthony Wayne High School … Led her team as captain during her junior season … Recorded 12 wins and 0 losses in her first two seasons of varsity action, while combining for nine home runs and 31 RBI … Named to the All-League team her sophomore season in which she helped her team to a league championship … Over eight years of club softball experience, most recently playing for Finesse Fastpitch … Played club softball with current Wildcats Lauren Sciborski and Hannah Cady … Also earned four varsity letters for volleyball … Led her high school to a league championship as captain during her senior season … Daughter of Gretchen Curry and former Red Sox pitcher, Steve Curry.
Drohan on Curry: "Lauren is a lengthy, right-handed power pitcher from a very athletic family who has both talent and drive. She is deceptive on the mound and will be a great addition to our pitching staff. We have worked with Lauren on several occasions, and her coachability and athleticism will elevate her game in every way."
Ayana Lindsey – IF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Iowa City, IA
Iowa City City High School
High School: Has started for four years at Iowa City City High School, playing shortstop and pitcher ... A four-time All Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) Honoree and three-time All-District Selection … Named first team All-State following her sophomore and junior seasons after earning a second team nod as a first-year … Named MVC Athlete of the Year in both her sophomore and junior seasons after hitting .463 with 73 runs scored and 34 stolen bases as a sophomore, followed by a .500 batting average with 39 runs, 18 stolen bases and a 2.25 ERA in the circle as a junior … Also played one year of varsity basketball and received varsity letters in track for two years … Played club softball for the South East Iowa All-Stars and the Eastern Iowa Barracudas … Daughter of Erin Whiting and Donzell Lindsey.
Drohan on Lindsey: "Ayana is a legit five-tool, complete player who delivers on both sides of the ball with her speed, power and explosiveness. She is mature beyond her years and will have a tremendous impact on our Northwestern community. We are thrilled she chose NU."
Halle Mangurten – IF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Deerfield, IL
Deerfield High School
High School: Started all four years at Deerfield High School, a three-time CSL North All-Conference honoree… A career .524 hitter in three seasons with the Warriors, was named Team and Offensive MVP in 2018 and 2019 …Named Second-Team All-State in Illinois following her junior season in which she hit .618 to go along with a 1.039 slugging percentage, 26 RBI and 41 runs scored …. Also played Volleyball during her first year at Deerfield… Competed for two years with the Beverly Bandits … Played with current Wildcat, Lauren Boyd … Named valedictorian of her 2020 graduating class … Initially part of the Wildcats' Class of 2024 before deferring to the following season … Daughter of Brad and Jory Mangurten.
Drohan on Mangurten: "Halle is really fun to watch in the batter's box. She takes great pride in the work she does offensively, a dual-threat who can hit for average and power. Halle is someone we have known for some time, having worked closely with her at camp, and we can't wait for her to get to campus."
Grace Nieto – MIF
Hits: L
Throws: R
Farmington Hills, MI
Mercy High School
High School: Earned three varsity letters for softball at Mercy High School … Named to the All-Catholic Team her freshman and sophomore seasons … Named to the All-District Softball Team her sophomore season … Posted a batting average over .549 her freshman and sophomore seasons … Also earned a Varsity Letter in hockey as an assistant captain … Won a Division 1 Hockey State Championship … Ranked in FloSoftball's top 100 player rankings all three seasons … 2x Scholar Athlete and a member of the National Honor Society … Sister played softball at the University of Utah … Uncle attended Northwestern … Participated in travel softball for 11+ years, most recently as a part of the Beverly Bandits … Daughter of Dominic, former hockey player at Kent State, and Kelly Nieto
Drohan on Nieto: "Grace is an excellent competitor who also comes from a very athletic family. She has a grittiness about her game that elevates the play of those around her. A great student and an even better teammate, she will elevate our program as soon as she steps on campus."
Lauren Sciborski – IF/C
Hits: R
Throws: R
South Lyon, MI
South Lyon East High School
High School: Earned four varsity letters at South Lyon East High School … Ranked as 34th overall in Extra Innings Softball's 2020 rankings … Has posted a slugging percentage over .660 and an OPS over 1.000 in each of her two seasons of varsity action, while combining for 73 RBI and 13 home runs … Named to the All-District Team and earned All-Lakes Valley Conference Honorable Mention accolades following her sophomore season in 2019 in which she helped her team to a district championship … Over 10 years of club softball experience, most recently playing for Indiana Magic Gold … Daughter of Lisa and Shaun Sciborski
Drohan on Sciborski: "Lauren's commitment to the game of softball, and to Northwestern, is amazing. As soon as we met Lauren, we knew we wanted her to be a part of our program. Lauren is an athletic, power hitter who can play multiple positions. Her work ethic is matched by her love of the game, and we are excited about what the future holds for her in Evanston."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
"We are honored to welcome these five families to our Northwestern program," said Drohan. "These women bring a diverse skill set to the field and will provide a great spark for our program. They are bright, motivated students who will excel in the classroom and be great additions to our campus community."
The five newcomers join an already impressive core of returning players in Evanston, as Northwestern returns every starter from the 2020 season which was cut short in March amid the COVID 19 pandemic.
Complete details on the Wildcats 2020 signing class are below.
Lauren Curry – P
Hits: R
Throws: R
Whitehouse, OH
Anthony Wayne High School
High School: Earned four varsity letters playing softball at Anthony Wayne High School … Led her team as captain during her junior season … Recorded 12 wins and 0 losses in her first two seasons of varsity action, while combining for nine home runs and 31 RBI … Named to the All-League team her sophomore season in which she helped her team to a league championship … Over eight years of club softball experience, most recently playing for Finesse Fastpitch … Played club softball with current Wildcats Lauren Sciborski and Hannah Cady … Also earned four varsity letters for volleyball … Led her high school to a league championship as captain during her senior season … Daughter of Gretchen Curry and former Red Sox pitcher, Steve Curry.
Drohan on Curry: "Lauren is a lengthy, right-handed power pitcher from a very athletic family who has both talent and drive. She is deceptive on the mound and will be a great addition to our pitching staff. We have worked with Lauren on several occasions, and her coachability and athleticism will elevate her game in every way."
Ayana Lindsey – IF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Iowa City, IA
Iowa City City High School
High School: Has started for four years at Iowa City City High School, playing shortstop and pitcher ... A four-time All Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) Honoree and three-time All-District Selection … Named first team All-State following her sophomore and junior seasons after earning a second team nod as a first-year … Named MVC Athlete of the Year in both her sophomore and junior seasons after hitting .463 with 73 runs scored and 34 stolen bases as a sophomore, followed by a .500 batting average with 39 runs, 18 stolen bases and a 2.25 ERA in the circle as a junior … Also played one year of varsity basketball and received varsity letters in track for two years … Played club softball for the South East Iowa All-Stars and the Eastern Iowa Barracudas … Daughter of Erin Whiting and Donzell Lindsey.
Drohan on Lindsey: "Ayana is a legit five-tool, complete player who delivers on both sides of the ball with her speed, power and explosiveness. She is mature beyond her years and will have a tremendous impact on our Northwestern community. We are thrilled she chose NU."
Halle Mangurten – IF
Hits: R
Throws: R
Deerfield, IL
Deerfield High School
High School: Started all four years at Deerfield High School, a three-time CSL North All-Conference honoree… A career .524 hitter in three seasons with the Warriors, was named Team and Offensive MVP in 2018 and 2019 …Named Second-Team All-State in Illinois following her junior season in which she hit .618 to go along with a 1.039 slugging percentage, 26 RBI and 41 runs scored …. Also played Volleyball during her first year at Deerfield… Competed for two years with the Beverly Bandits … Played with current Wildcat, Lauren Boyd … Named valedictorian of her 2020 graduating class … Initially part of the Wildcats' Class of 2024 before deferring to the following season … Daughter of Brad and Jory Mangurten.
Drohan on Mangurten: "Halle is really fun to watch in the batter's box. She takes great pride in the work she does offensively, a dual-threat who can hit for average and power. Halle is someone we have known for some time, having worked closely with her at camp, and we can't wait for her to get to campus."
Grace Nieto – MIF
Hits: L
Throws: R
Farmington Hills, MI
Mercy High School
High School: Earned three varsity letters for softball at Mercy High School … Named to the All-Catholic Team her freshman and sophomore seasons … Named to the All-District Softball Team her sophomore season … Posted a batting average over .549 her freshman and sophomore seasons … Also earned a Varsity Letter in hockey as an assistant captain … Won a Division 1 Hockey State Championship … Ranked in FloSoftball's top 100 player rankings all three seasons … 2x Scholar Athlete and a member of the National Honor Society … Sister played softball at the University of Utah … Uncle attended Northwestern … Participated in travel softball for 11+ years, most recently as a part of the Beverly Bandits … Daughter of Dominic, former hockey player at Kent State, and Kelly Nieto
Drohan on Nieto: "Grace is an excellent competitor who also comes from a very athletic family. She has a grittiness about her game that elevates the play of those around her. A great student and an even better teammate, she will elevate our program as soon as she steps on campus."
Lauren Sciborski – IF/C
Hits: R
Throws: R
South Lyon, MI
South Lyon East High School
High School: Earned four varsity letters at South Lyon East High School … Ranked as 34th overall in Extra Innings Softball's 2020 rankings … Has posted a slugging percentage over .660 and an OPS over 1.000 in each of her two seasons of varsity action, while combining for 73 RBI and 13 home runs … Named to the All-District Team and earned All-Lakes Valley Conference Honorable Mention accolades following her sophomore season in 2019 in which she helped her team to a district championship … Over 10 years of club softball experience, most recently playing for Indiana Magic Gold … Daughter of Lisa and Shaun Sciborski
Drohan on Sciborski: "Lauren's commitment to the game of softball, and to Northwestern, is amazing. As soon as we met Lauren, we knew we wanted her to be a part of our program. Lauren is an athletic, power hitter who can play multiple positions. Her work ethic is matched by her love of the game, and we are excited about what the future holds for her in Evanston."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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