“Spotlight on the Future: Five Scarlet Knights Make Softball America’s Freshmen Watchlist!”

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Five of Rutgers softball’s freshmen have been recognized on Softball America’s Freshman To Watch List, which was disclosed on Tuesday, just weeks ahead of the commencement of the 2025 season. 

Infielders Addie Osborne and Baileigh Burtis, along with pitchers Ella Harrison, Kelsey Hoekstra, and Dezaria Johnson, made the list.

 

 

---

ADDIE OSBORNE

INFIELD

ERIE, COLORADO
 

AROUND THE BASES:

• 5A State Player of the Year (2023)
• First Team 5A All-State (2023)
• Conference Player of the Year (2023)
• Erie Offensive Player of the Year (2023)
• All-State Honorable Mention (2022)
• State runner-up (2023)
• Three-time Regional Champion (2023, 2022 & 2021)
• First Team All-Conference (2023 & 2022)
• Erie MVP (2023)
• First Team All-Region (2022)
• State semifinalist (2022)
• League Champion (2022)
• State quarterfinalist (2021)
• Honorable Mention All-Conference (2021)
• Erie Most Improved (2021)
• Throughout her scholastic career, she batted .452 with 134 runs, 131 hits, 160 RBIs, 38 home runs, a .993 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 1.509
• Achieved a .400 average with 19 hits, 14 RBIs, and three home runs as a freshman
• Recorded a .440 average with 37 runs, 40 hits, 58 RBIs, nine home runs and a 1.000 slugging percentage during her sophomore year
• As a junior, she batted .418 with 37 runs, 33 hits, 34 RBIs, and seven home runs
• In her senior year, she posted a .518 average, tallying 41 runs, 44 hits, 58 RBIs, and 19 home runs, complemented by a 1.305 slugging percentage and a 1.890 OPS
• Qualified for the state tennis competition
• First Team All-Academic

BAILEIGH BURTIS

INFIELD

FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS
 

AROUND THE BASES:

• District Champion and reached the Third Round 5A Area Finals (2023)
• Two-time First Team All-District Infield (2023 & 2022)
• Two-time First Team All-County Infield (2023 & 2022)
• First Team All-State Infield 5A (2022)
• District Co-Champion and reached the Fourth Round 5A Area Regional Semifinal (2022)
• District Newcomer of the Year (2021)
• District Co-Champion and reached the Third Round 5A Area Finals (2021)
• Three-time District All-Academic Honors (2023, 2022 & 2021)
• Achieved a .405 batting average as a junior and .413 as a sophomore

ELLA HARRISON

PITCHER

CLARENCE, NEW YORK
 

AROUND THE BASES:

• 2023 New York State Class AA Player of the Year
• First Team All-State (2023)
• First Team All-Western New York (2023)
• ECIC First Team (2023)
• First Team All-Bee (2023)
• Class AA State Champion (2022)
• Class AA Sectional Champion (2023 & 2021)
• Recorded 134 strikeouts in 84 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA while batting .382, with 19 singles, six doubles, and a triple as a junior (2023)
• Pitched for 11 innings in the state championship shutout (2023)

KELSEY HOEKSTRA

PITCHER/FIRST BASE

OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS
 

AROUND THE BASES:

• Named Pitcher of the Year for the Sunflower League (2023)
• First Team All-State (2023 & 2022)
• Awarded All-Sunflower First Team Honors (2023, 2022 & 2021)
• Contributed to a state quarterfinalist team with a 20-2 record (2023)
• Secured 202 strikeouts across 112 innings pitched with a 1.00 ERA and hit .476 with 21 runs  (2023)
• Shawnee Mission North MVP (2023)
• Second Team All-State (2021)
• Shawnee Mission North Defensive Player of the Year (2021)

DEZARIA JOHNSON

PITCHER

COVINGTON, GEORGIA
 

AROUND THE BASES:

• Ranked No. 20 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100
• Region Pitcher of the Year (2022)
• Two-time Pitcher of the Year (2023 & 2022)
• Two-time Team 8AAAAA All-Region (2023 & 2022)
• Newcomer of the Year (2022)

 

Stay connected with Rutgers softball on Facebook, X and Instagram.

– RU –