UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – Saginaw Valley State University softball head coach Ryan Schalk announced the 2024 recruiting class for the program. The Cardinals have added four new members of the team that will compete in the 2025 Spring season.
The new additions are Grace Schloop from Midland High School, Campbell Kloack from Jackson Northwest High School, Lauren Evans from Schoolcraft High School, and Gabby Crumm from Unionville-Sebawing Area High School.
Schloop is a two-time all-academic pitcher, once as an honorable mention during her freshman year and a first-team recipient her sophomore season. She earned first-team all-conference as well as all-region, and all-district Midland Daily News Dream Team her junior season.
"Grace has the potential to be a dominating pitcher at this level," said Schalk. "She has a good mix of velocity, movement, and control that makes her a tough matchup for hitters. She also continues to work hard to get stronger and improve her pitches."
Schloop said, "I chose SVSU because of the community and the environment that surrounds the campus. The coaches were very welcoming and positive when it came to their softball program and what it had to offer. I am very excited to be a part of Saginaw Valley!"
Kloack was added to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) record book for her career total in doubles.
"Campbell is a true lefty with a pure swing," stated Schalk. "Her athleticism allows her to play multiple positions, which will make her extremely valuable to our team. She has the ability to be an impact bat in our lineup and add some gap-to-gap power to our team."
"I chose SVSU because I love the small community feeling and the welcoming atmosphere," stated Kloack.
Evans is a two-time all-conference honoree for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. She also earned all-region during that same two-year stretch. Evans is second all-time in doubles in a single season in the MHSAA record book.
Schalk said, "Lauren has all the tools that you look for in a softball player. She has a great arm, athleticism, and power. She can play multiple positions in the infield and has the potential to add some pop in the lineup for us."
"I picked SVSU because the campus made me feel like home and I could succeed in my academic [and] athletic career," said Evans.
Crumm has earned several awards during her high school career. She has won first-team all-conference, all-district, and all-region the last three seasons, along with scholar-athlete awards during that same period. She was an All-State honorable mention in 2021 and made the first team the last two seasons. Crumm led her team to three straight conference and Division 4 State Championships.
"Gabby is a catcher with a great bat. She has a ton of experience from high school competing in postseason games, which helps bring a championship culture to our team. She is someone who has shown she knows how to win the big game and knows what it takes," lauded Schalk.
Crumm said, "I chose SVSU because I really enjoyed the culture of the softball program and the coach-athlete relationships. SVSU also has a great Occupational Therapy Program that played a huge role in my decision."
The SVSU softball team opens the 2024 season on Friday, February 23 with a trip to Tennessee to face Lincoln Memorial. For more information, including the 2024 schedule, click here.