University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Softball Adds Five to 2023 Signing Class
11/9/2022 5:18:00 PM | Softball
PITTSBURGH – Pitt softball head coach Jodi Hermanek and her coaching staff have added five new Panthers to the 2023 signing class on National Letter of Intent Day.
The five newcomers include Ahmari Braden (Buford, Ga.), Jordan George (New Albany, Ohio), Hannah Greer (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), Jace Jackson (Locust Grove, Ga.) and Samantha Swan (Georgetown, Texas).
"This coaching staff is truly proud of the caliber of this 2023 recruiting class," said Hermanek. "This is a special group who will creed the cultural foundation of our program and university. These five players are phenomenal athletes, remarkable young ladies and are amazing together."
Ahmari Braden
Buford, Ga. | Mountain View High School | Outfield
Braden's hitting, pitching, and defense has highlighted the Mountain View High School softball program over the last four seasons. With the Bears, Braden has spent time at first base, in the outfield and in the circle. She compiled a .440 career batting average, 141 hits, 12 home runs, 65 RBIs, 115 runs scored and 68 stolen bases. As a freshman, Braden helped the Bears to their first GHSA 7A State Championship in 2019.
The Buford, Ga., native is among the Extra Inning Softball Elite Top 100, ranking 39th overall in the country and 7th among outfielders in the country. She is the 2021 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-County Team member.
"Ahmari Braden is one of the fastest in the game," said Hermanek. "We project Ahmari will break and set stolen base records; she will challenge defenses with her triple-threat arsenal and lead the Panthers in the outfield. Ahmari is a relentless worker who loves the game, especially at the highest level."
Jordan George
New Albany, Ohio | New Albany High School | Infield
George joins Pitt after leaving her mark in the New Albany High School record book. During the 2022 season, George set the single-season school record in both batting average (.636) and runs scored (37). George finished the season with 42 hits, 10 home runs and drove in 33 runs.
Among etching her name in the history books, George was name First-Team All-OCC, First-Team All-Central District, First-Team All-Metro (third base) while being a member of the All-Ohio and All-Ohio Super 12 teams. George ranks 95th in the country by Extra Inning Softball.
"Jordan George plays the game with power," said Hermanek. "It's exciting to add Jordan's swing production and her character to our program. She is a difference-maker to the game; she and her teammates will have an impact in our culture."
Hannah Greer
Hopewell Junction, NY | John Jay East Fishkill High School | Infield
A middle infielder from New York, Greer has compiled a .435 batting average and has a 100 percent stolen-base success rate. Greer currently plays for the Rhode Island Thunder 18U National Team, where she ranks 36th in the country by Extra Inning Softball. Her softball accolades include being named to the All-Section team and being a two-time selection to the All-League team.
A two-sport athlete in softball and soccer, Greer has excelled in the classroom, earning her school's Scholar Athlete Award for four years in a row. Greer is a member of the National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society and earned the Patricia D. Amato Exemplary Character and Citizenship Award.
"Hannah Greer is a ball-player I'd want as a teammate," said Hermanek. "She plays the game so you can hear, see and feel her presence. Hannah is an awesome middle infielder; a gritty leader and she clutches up with power offensively."
Jace Jackson
Locust Grove, Ga. | Luella High School | Infield
A three-sport athlete for Luella High School, Jackson will join the Pitt softball program after compiling a career batting average of .680 with 71 hits, 17 homeruns and a .684 on-base percentage. A member of the Tennessee Mojo Danley, Jackson is the 26th ranked player among the 2023 recruiting class by Extra Inning Softball.
Jackson has received multiple honors for her performance on the field, including being a two-time Region 5-AAAAA Player of the Year in 2020 and 2022, three-time First Team All-Region member, 2021 Gold Glove honoree, 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, 2019 MVP.
Off the field, Jackson received the 2021 Humanitarian Citizenship Award and the 2021 Bronze Scholar Award, holding the third-highest grade point average at Luella High School.
"Jace Jackson is the smooth firecracker of the class," said Hermanek. "We are really excited to add her quick hands, range and overall natural defensive abilities to our middle infield. Jace's speed on the left-side, paired with her power, is going to be an awesome fire to the offense."
Samantha Swan
Georgetown, Texas | Georgetown High School | Catcher/Utility
A primary catcher for Georgetown High School, Swan helped lead the Eagles to the 25-5A Texas State Semifinals in 2020-21 and finished as the 25-5A Texas State Runner-Up in 2021-22. In her junior season, Swan batted .343 with 39 hits, three home runs, and 30 RBIs. A member of the Texas Bombers 18U Gold, Swan currently ranks 49th in the country by Extra Inning Softball.
Swan's performance on the field has earned her a spot on the All-State Second Team and is a two-time Academic All-District Team recipient. Also participating in competitive powerlifting, Swan is a two-time WHSPA Regional Qualifier.
"I am so excited to welcome Sam Swan to the Panther Family, said Hermanek. "She is such a versatile athlete and a great catcher. Sam is clutch and gets the job done while playing the game hard. She power-lifts, steal bases, and plays multiple defensive positions."
The five newcomers include Ahmari Braden (Buford, Ga.), Jordan George (New Albany, Ohio), Hannah Greer (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), Jace Jackson (Locust Grove, Ga.) and Samantha Swan (Georgetown, Texas).
"This coaching staff is truly proud of the caliber of this 2023 recruiting class," said Hermanek. "This is a special group who will creed the cultural foundation of our program and university. These five players are phenomenal athletes, remarkable young ladies and are amazing together."
Ahmari Braden
Buford, Ga. | Mountain View High School | Outfield
Braden's hitting, pitching, and defense has highlighted the Mountain View High School softball program over the last four seasons. With the Bears, Braden has spent time at first base, in the outfield and in the circle. She compiled a .440 career batting average, 141 hits, 12 home runs, 65 RBIs, 115 runs scored and 68 stolen bases. As a freshman, Braden helped the Bears to their first GHSA 7A State Championship in 2019.
The Buford, Ga., native is among the Extra Inning Softball Elite Top 100, ranking 39th overall in the country and 7th among outfielders in the country. She is the 2021 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-County Team member.
"Ahmari Braden is one of the fastest in the game," said Hermanek. "We project Ahmari will break and set stolen base records; she will challenge defenses with her triple-threat arsenal and lead the Panthers in the outfield. Ahmari is a relentless worker who loves the game, especially at the highest level."
Jordan George
New Albany, Ohio | New Albany High School | Infield
George joins Pitt after leaving her mark in the New Albany High School record book. During the 2022 season, George set the single-season school record in both batting average (.636) and runs scored (37). George finished the season with 42 hits, 10 home runs and drove in 33 runs.
Among etching her name in the history books, George was name First-Team All-OCC, First-Team All-Central District, First-Team All-Metro (third base) while being a member of the All-Ohio and All-Ohio Super 12 teams. George ranks 95th in the country by Extra Inning Softball.
"Jordan George plays the game with power," said Hermanek. "It's exciting to add Jordan's swing production and her character to our program. She is a difference-maker to the game; she and her teammates will have an impact in our culture."
Hannah Greer
Hopewell Junction, NY | John Jay East Fishkill High School | Infield
A middle infielder from New York, Greer has compiled a .435 batting average and has a 100 percent stolen-base success rate. Greer currently plays for the Rhode Island Thunder 18U National Team, where she ranks 36th in the country by Extra Inning Softball. Her softball accolades include being named to the All-Section team and being a two-time selection to the All-League team.
A two-sport athlete in softball and soccer, Greer has excelled in the classroom, earning her school's Scholar Athlete Award for four years in a row. Greer is a member of the National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society and earned the Patricia D. Amato Exemplary Character and Citizenship Award.
"Hannah Greer is a ball-player I'd want as a teammate," said Hermanek. "She plays the game so you can hear, see and feel her presence. Hannah is an awesome middle infielder; a gritty leader and she clutches up with power offensively."
Jace Jackson
Locust Grove, Ga. | Luella High School | Infield
A three-sport athlete for Luella High School, Jackson will join the Pitt softball program after compiling a career batting average of .680 with 71 hits, 17 homeruns and a .684 on-base percentage. A member of the Tennessee Mojo Danley, Jackson is the 26th ranked player among the 2023 recruiting class by Extra Inning Softball.
Jackson has received multiple honors for her performance on the field, including being a two-time Region 5-AAAAA Player of the Year in 2020 and 2022, three-time First Team All-Region member, 2021 Gold Glove honoree, 2020 Offensive Player of the Year, 2019 MVP.
Off the field, Jackson received the 2021 Humanitarian Citizenship Award and the 2021 Bronze Scholar Award, holding the third-highest grade point average at Luella High School.
"Jace Jackson is the smooth firecracker of the class," said Hermanek. "We are really excited to add her quick hands, range and overall natural defensive abilities to our middle infield. Jace's speed on the left-side, paired with her power, is going to be an awesome fire to the offense."
Samantha Swan
Georgetown, Texas | Georgetown High School | Catcher/Utility
A primary catcher for Georgetown High School, Swan helped lead the Eagles to the 25-5A Texas State Semifinals in 2020-21 and finished as the 25-5A Texas State Runner-Up in 2021-22. In her junior season, Swan batted .343 with 39 hits, three home runs, and 30 RBIs. A member of the Texas Bombers 18U Gold, Swan currently ranks 49th in the country by Extra Inning Softball.
Swan's performance on the field has earned her a spot on the All-State Second Team and is a two-time Academic All-District Team recipient. Also participating in competitive powerlifting, Swan is a two-time WHSPA Regional Qualifier.
"I am so excited to welcome Sam Swan to the Panther Family, said Hermanek. "She is such a versatile athlete and a great catcher. Sam is clutch and gets the job done while playing the game hard. She power-lifts, steal bases, and plays multiple defensive positions."
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