Bowling Green State University softball coach Sarah Willis has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Taylor Blevins (Greensburg, Pa.), Logan Everett (Indiana, Pa.), Kendyl Wheeler (Plainfield, Ind.) and Makayla Wood (Galva, Ill.) will join the Falcons for the 2016-17 academic year.
Taylor Blevins
Blevins, a second baseman/outfielder, is currently a senior at Hempfield Area H.S. A three-year letterwinner for the Spartans to date, she has helped the team to a 50-15 overall record during that time. Blevins stole 18 bases as a freshman in 2013, appearing primarily as a pinch runner. Over the last two years, however, she has hit .434 with 18 doubles, six triples and seven home runs in 138 at-bats. Blevins has scored 49 runs, driven in 38 and stolen 33 bases during that time. The Spartans have earned one WPIAL championship, one WPIAL runner-up finish and two fourth-place finishes in the PIAA state championships. Blevins was selected to both the Sweet 16 Team and the All-Section Team last year. She is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and has made the honor roll in each of her first three years at the school. Blevins was selected to attend the 2015 WPIAL Sportsmanship Summit. She has played travel ball for the Ohio Outlaw Fastpitch Organization (PA Premier team).
"Taylor will provide great depth to the outfield," said Willis. "She is a consistent performer who will help to raise the overall level of play on our team. Taylor is extremely athletic and adaptable when it comes to the positions she will play. She has great energy on the field."
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Logan Everett
Everett, a catcher, is a senior at Indiana Area H.S. A three-year letterwinner for the Indians to date, she was named Indiana Gazette Player of the Year in 2015, after batting .564 with an on-base percentage of .558 and a slugging pct. of .718. She struck out just once during the entire 2015 season. Everett was also named to the all-county and all-section teams. She has played both softball and lacrosse during the spring, and also is on the golf team. Everett has earned 10 letters and counting, with three letters in both softball and lacrosse and four letters in golf. In the latter sport, Everett placed fifth in the Class AAA WPIAL Section Qualifier, and earned a spot in the WPIAL State Championship round as a senior. Everett, a National Honor Society member, has made the high honor roll. Like Blevins, Everett has played travel ball with the Ohio Outlaws.
"Logan Everett comes to the program with great knowledge of the game," said Willis. "She carries a quiet confidence behind the plate, and will make a significant impact to our catching staff. Logan's explosiveness, athleticism and demeanor will provide great leadership on the field and will help instill confidence in her teammates."
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Kendyl Wheeler
Wheeler, an outfielder, is a senior at Plainfield H.S. She earned All-County First-Team honors for the Quakers last season after being named to the second team in each of her first two years. Wheeler hit .514 last season, leading the team and the conference in both batting average and on-base percentage. She ranked among the top-15 players in the state in Class 4A (big schools) in batting average. Wheeler was named her team's Defensive MVP as a sophomore before earning Offensive MVP honors as a junior. She has helped PHS to sectional championships in both 2013 and 2015, and the team also won a regional title in '13. Wheeler has made the honor roll in every semester of high school to date. She has played travel ball with the Beverly Bandits.
"Kendyl will replace significant speed in our lineup in the coming seasons," said Willis. Her versatility of touch, speed and pop at the plate will keep defenses off balance and will put our offense in position to score. Her athleticism and competitive spirit will help to light a fire in our lineup and in the outfield. We are excited to add her to our program and to watch what she can do next fall."
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Makayla Wood
Wood, a shortstop, is a senior at Galva H.S. She was named to the All-State First Team for the Lady Cats as a junior, after batting .608 with an on-base pct. of .633 and a slugging pct. of 1.022. In 111 plate appearances, Wood had 43 runs scored, 45 RBI and 28 stolen bases. She was also named to the All-Lincoln Trail Conference, All-Western Illinois and All-Academic Teams. A second-team all-state choice as a sophomore, Wood hit .588 that year, stealing 32 bases and slugging .782. She is a three-time all-league selection, and also has been named to the all-conference and all-academic teams in every year of high school to date. Wood has played travel ball for the Xtreme Havoc, who won the NSA World Series two years ago after finishing second at nationals the previous season.
"Makayla will make a wonderful addition to the Falcon softball program," said Willis. "She is extremely versatile on the field and will be a strength for us in the middle infield. Her athleticism and knowledge of the game makes her a ferocious competitor and allows her to make plays that no one else can make."
BGSU SOFTBALL SIGNEES Taylor Blevins  2B/OF  Greensburg, Pa. (Hempfield Area)
Logan Everett    C   Indiana, Pa. (Indiana Area)
Kendyl Wheeler   OF   Plainfield, Ind. (Plainfield)
Makayla Wood    SS   Galva, Ill. (Galva)
