Northwestern University Athletics
Drohan Welcomes Four Signees to Class of 2028
11/14/2023 4:32:00 PM | Softball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Head Coach Kate Drohan announced the addition of four signees to the incoming Class of 2028, a group that ranks as a consensus Top-25 recruiting class in the nation.
This year's signing class includes Kaylie Avvisato (Leesburg, Va.), Emma Blea (Fresno, Calif.), Kate Dowden (Indianapolis, Ind.), and Avery Garden (Allen Park, Mich.). The group is ranked as the No. 21 overall signing class by ExtraInnings Softball; with Avvisato ranked ninth overall, Blea ranked 21st and Garden ranked 47th in the outlet's Top-100 rankings.
"We're thrilled to welcome Kaylie, Emma, Kate, and Avery to our Northwestern Softball family," said Drohan. "This talented group embodies the competitive drive and commitment to excellence that we look for in both athletics and academics, aligning seamlessly with our program's values. We're honored they chose Northwestern, and we cannot wait to see the impact they'll make on our program in the coming years."
The Wildcats most recently wrapped up a memorable 2023 campaign that saw Northwestern finish 42-13 and capture its second-straight Big Ten regular season title in addition to winning the Big Ten Tournament title. Northwestern earned the No. 12 national seed in the NCAA Tournament and secured its third NCAA Regional title in the last four tournaments.
Complete details on the Wildcats' signing class are below.
Kaylie Avvisato - IF/P
Bats: R
Throws: R
Leesburg, Virg. | Riverside High School
High School: Ranked No. 9 overall player and No. 6 middle infielder in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball … Two-time First Team All-American (Extra Innings) … Three-time First Team All-Region … NFCA Academic All-American … Holds school record for hits, runs, doubles, strikeouts, stolen bases, and ERA in a season … As a junior, hit .495 with a 1.499 OPS, nine home runs, 20 doubles, 33 RBI, 46 runs, and just three strikeouts in 27 games, while posting a 2.30 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 46 innings in the circle … Career .475 (103-for-217) hitter with 19 home runs in three years of high school play … Team MVP in all three seasons … Three-time First Team All-Region basketball player … USA Softball High Performance Program top performer … Plays club softball for VA Glory with coach Suzy Willemsen and Kevin Bednoski … Honor roll student … Mother, Karen, played softball at Miami (Ohio) and father, Frank played baseball at George Washington … Aunt, Kristy Burch, is in Miami (Ohio)'s Hall of Fame for softball … Anticipated major at Northwestern is learning and organizational change.
Drohan on Avvisato: "Kaylie is a remarkable competitor, student and person. She is already playing an elite shortstop and has great power and speed from the batter's box. We are honored Kaylie and her family chose Northwestern and we can't wait to get to work."
Avvisato on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I was so impressed with everything about the softball program and the highly academic school. I had an instant connection with the coaches and I believe they will bring out the best in me, both as a person and as a player. The championship mindset and the amazing facilities is something that also stood out to me. GO CATS!!!"
Emma Blea - P
Bats: R
Throws: R
Fresno, Calif. | Clovis North High School
High School: Ranked No. 21 overall player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball … Posted a 1.24 ERA with an 0.067 on-base percentage allowed as a sophomore … As a junior, tallied a 1.40 ERA and 0.097 on-base percentage allowed … Member of 16U USA Softball High Performance Team … 2022 and 2023 Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Finalist … Plays club softball for Ken and Roseann Briggs on the BSC Bengals Briggs 18U team … Was runner-up at 2022 TCS 16U National Championship … Honor roll student … CJSF and CSF Award recipient … Parents are Dale and Teri Blea … Brother, John, played football at Sacramento State … Anticipated major at Northwestern is legal studies.
Drohan on Blea: "Emma is a hard-throwing, athletic pitcher who can dominate from the circle. Her academic accomplishments and drive will have an immediate impact on our program."
Blea on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because of the high-level academic and athletic programs that it offers. I also love the family-oriented atmosphere and integrity that the players and coaching staff provide. Evanston is the perfect fit and I feel right at home when I step on campus."
Kate Dowden - OF/P
Bats: L
Throws: L
Indianapolis, Ind. | Lawrence North High School
High School: A four-year varsity letter winner for Lawrence North High School … Named to the All-USA Central Indiana Super Team following her junior season in 2023, while also earning Third-Team All-State honors … Ranked among the state leaders with 59 runs scored (Top-10 all-time in state history) while batting .519 with 55 hits, eight triples, five homers, 33 RBI and 17 stolen bases during her junior campaign, helping lead the Wildcats to a Sectional Championship for the second time in three seasons … Four-year honor roll student … Played in the same high school conference as fellow Wildcat Kansas Robinson … Parents are Lance and Nicole Dowden … Anticipated major at Northwestern is communications.
Drohan on Dowden: "Kate is a very dynamic, speedy player who will impact the game in many ways. A true left-handed outfielder, she will be a force on both sides of the ball."
Dowden on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I wanted to push myself not only in sports but in academics as well. I feel as though I will be able to thrive as not only an athlete, but as a whole at Northwestern and it will show me all the things that I need to know when leaving college."
Avery Garden - UTL
Bats: L
Throws: R
Allen Park, Mich. | Allen Park High School
High School: Ranked No. 47 overall player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball … 2023 First Team All-American (Extra Innings) … NFCA Academic All-American … Hit .441 with 13 home runs and 64 RBI as a junior … Career .452 hitter with 26 home runs in three high school seasons … 2023 SBLive National High School Softball Outfielder of the Year nominee … Two-time MLive Metro Detroit Softball Dream Team selection … Led Allen Park to the Division I State Championship with a 38-4-1 overall record as a sophomore … Has played club softball for the Beverly Bandits since 12U, led by Bill Conroy … Parents are Andrew and Melanie Garden … Honor roll student … Anticipated major at Northwestern is education.
Drohan on Garden: "Avery is a ballplayer. She is a student of the game with great versatility and power. Avery's competitiveness and approach to the game will feed our championship culture."
Garden on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because of the atmosphere I felt around the softball program. Northwestern is a place where opportunities are endless, and there are so many resources to succeed."
This year's signing class includes Kaylie Avvisato (Leesburg, Va.), Emma Blea (Fresno, Calif.), Kate Dowden (Indianapolis, Ind.), and Avery Garden (Allen Park, Mich.). The group is ranked as the No. 21 overall signing class by ExtraInnings Softball; with Avvisato ranked ninth overall, Blea ranked 21st and Garden ranked 47th in the outlet's Top-100 rankings.
"We're thrilled to welcome Kaylie, Emma, Kate, and Avery to our Northwestern Softball family," said Drohan. "This talented group embodies the competitive drive and commitment to excellence that we look for in both athletics and academics, aligning seamlessly with our program's values. We're honored they chose Northwestern, and we cannot wait to see the impact they'll make on our program in the coming years."
The Wildcats most recently wrapped up a memorable 2023 campaign that saw Northwestern finish 42-13 and capture its second-straight Big Ten regular season title in addition to winning the Big Ten Tournament title. Northwestern earned the No. 12 national seed in the NCAA Tournament and secured its third NCAA Regional title in the last four tournaments.
Complete details on the Wildcats' signing class are below.
Kaylie Avvisato - IF/P
Bats: R
Throws: R
Leesburg, Virg. | Riverside High School
High School: Ranked No. 9 overall player and No. 6 middle infielder in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball … Two-time First Team All-American (Extra Innings) … Three-time First Team All-Region … NFCA Academic All-American … Holds school record for hits, runs, doubles, strikeouts, stolen bases, and ERA in a season … As a junior, hit .495 with a 1.499 OPS, nine home runs, 20 doubles, 33 RBI, 46 runs, and just three strikeouts in 27 games, while posting a 2.30 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 46 innings in the circle … Career .475 (103-for-217) hitter with 19 home runs in three years of high school play … Team MVP in all three seasons … Three-time First Team All-Region basketball player … USA Softball High Performance Program top performer … Plays club softball for VA Glory with coach Suzy Willemsen and Kevin Bednoski … Honor roll student … Mother, Karen, played softball at Miami (Ohio) and father, Frank played baseball at George Washington … Aunt, Kristy Burch, is in Miami (Ohio)'s Hall of Fame for softball … Anticipated major at Northwestern is learning and organizational change.
Drohan on Avvisato: "Kaylie is a remarkable competitor, student and person. She is already playing an elite shortstop and has great power and speed from the batter's box. We are honored Kaylie and her family chose Northwestern and we can't wait to get to work."
Avvisato on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I was so impressed with everything about the softball program and the highly academic school. I had an instant connection with the coaches and I believe they will bring out the best in me, both as a person and as a player. The championship mindset and the amazing facilities is something that also stood out to me. GO CATS!!!"
Emma Blea - P
Bats: R
Throws: R
Fresno, Calif. | Clovis North High School
High School: Ranked No. 21 overall player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball … Posted a 1.24 ERA with an 0.067 on-base percentage allowed as a sophomore … As a junior, tallied a 1.40 ERA and 0.097 on-base percentage allowed … Member of 16U USA Softball High Performance Team … 2022 and 2023 Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Finalist … Plays club softball for Ken and Roseann Briggs on the BSC Bengals Briggs 18U team … Was runner-up at 2022 TCS 16U National Championship … Honor roll student … CJSF and CSF Award recipient … Parents are Dale and Teri Blea … Brother, John, played football at Sacramento State … Anticipated major at Northwestern is legal studies.
Drohan on Blea: "Emma is a hard-throwing, athletic pitcher who can dominate from the circle. Her academic accomplishments and drive will have an immediate impact on our program."
Blea on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because of the high-level academic and athletic programs that it offers. I also love the family-oriented atmosphere and integrity that the players and coaching staff provide. Evanston is the perfect fit and I feel right at home when I step on campus."
Kate Dowden - OF/P
Bats: L
Throws: L
Indianapolis, Ind. | Lawrence North High School
High School: A four-year varsity letter winner for Lawrence North High School … Named to the All-USA Central Indiana Super Team following her junior season in 2023, while also earning Third-Team All-State honors … Ranked among the state leaders with 59 runs scored (Top-10 all-time in state history) while batting .519 with 55 hits, eight triples, five homers, 33 RBI and 17 stolen bases during her junior campaign, helping lead the Wildcats to a Sectional Championship for the second time in three seasons … Four-year honor roll student … Played in the same high school conference as fellow Wildcat Kansas Robinson … Parents are Lance and Nicole Dowden … Anticipated major at Northwestern is communications.
Drohan on Dowden: "Kate is a very dynamic, speedy player who will impact the game in many ways. A true left-handed outfielder, she will be a force on both sides of the ball."
Dowden on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because I wanted to push myself not only in sports but in academics as well. I feel as though I will be able to thrive as not only an athlete, but as a whole at Northwestern and it will show me all the things that I need to know when leaving college."
Avery Garden - UTL
Bats: L
Throws: R
Allen Park, Mich. | Allen Park High School
High School: Ranked No. 47 overall player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball … 2023 First Team All-American (Extra Innings) … NFCA Academic All-American … Hit .441 with 13 home runs and 64 RBI as a junior … Career .452 hitter with 26 home runs in three high school seasons … 2023 SBLive National High School Softball Outfielder of the Year nominee … Two-time MLive Metro Detroit Softball Dream Team selection … Led Allen Park to the Division I State Championship with a 38-4-1 overall record as a sophomore … Has played club softball for the Beverly Bandits since 12U, led by Bill Conroy … Parents are Andrew and Melanie Garden … Honor roll student … Anticipated major at Northwestern is education.
Drohan on Garden: "Avery is a ballplayer. She is a student of the game with great versatility and power. Avery's competitiveness and approach to the game will feed our championship culture."
Garden on Choosing Northwestern: "I chose Northwestern because of the atmosphere I felt around the softball program. Northwestern is a place where opportunities are endless, and there are so many resources to succeed."
Players Mentioned
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