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<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS Nov. 13, 2024</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Baylor Softball Adds Seven to Signing Class
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Bears bring in five from Texas, one each from Arkansas and California</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">For more information contact: </span></b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Katy Gilmore,
254-252-2182, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:katy_gilmore@baylor.edu"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1">katy_gilmore@baylor.edu</span></a></span><u><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none"> </span></u><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">WACO, Texas
</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Baylor softball added seven student-athletes in the 2025 signing class, announced by head coach Glenn Moore on Wednesday.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Five of the 2024 signees are from Texas, one from Arkansas, and one from California. They are scheduled to enroll next fall and will be eligible for the spring 2026 season.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">The 2025 class will have big shoes to fill replacing the 2024 senior class, Moore said. But the talent in these incoming freshmen will only need the experience to maintain the high expectations.
This group of seven addresses everything we needed to go along with the great returning talent in this early signing period.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Charleigh Esparza<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Catcher | Friendswood, Texas | Friendswood High School | Strykers National Esparza<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Charleigh Esparza signs with Baylor out of Friendswood, Texas, and Friendswood High School. She played club ball for Stykers National Esparza under head coach Charlie Esparza.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">As a three-year varsity athlete, Esparza was an all-district infielder her freshman season before garnering all-state cater honors her sophomore and junior years. The 55 senior was also
named defensive MVP her sophomore year and offensive MVP her junior year. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, Esparza was a three-time all-district honor roll honoree.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Gianna Gusman<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Catcher/Outfield | Riverside, Calif. | King High School | Explosion Premier<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Gianna Gusman signs with Baylor out of Riverside, Calif., and King High School. She played club ball for Explosion Premier under head coach Bret Denio.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">As a four-year varsity starter, Gusman helped her high school team to a state semi-final in 2024 as a team captain. She was the No. 12 ranked player nationally and the No. 2 West Coast outfielder
by Extra Innings Softball. She has hit over .400 in all three high school seasons, totaling 10 doubles, three triples, 13 stolen bases, and 28 RBIs during her junior season.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, Gusman was a member of the National Honor Society and High School Scholars. She was a four-time Distinguished Scholar Award recipient. Gusman was also an Athletic Trainer
in high school, serving in the athletic training department in the training room and on the field for fall and winter sports.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Harper Haas<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Outfield | Waco, Texas | Midway High School | Buzz Fastpitch<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Harper Haas signs with Baylor out of Waco, Texas, and Midway High School. She played club ball for Buzz Fastpitch under head coaches Trey Holbrook and Andrea Holbrook.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Haas competed in three sports in high school, spending three years on varsity softball and competing in basketball in 2022-23 and track in 2021-22. She helped her high school softball team
to a division 6A State runner-up finish in 2024 and was a second-team All-District honoree in 2023. She hit .385 her junior year and was a perfect 14-14 in stolen bases.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, Haas was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as PALS and FCA. She also volunteered with the Special Olympics, Iron Man, Challenger League, Waco Symphony and Elite
Therapy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Jayden King<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Outfield | Midlothian, Texas | Midlothian Heritage High School | Impact Gold Jackson<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Jayden King signs with Baylor out of Midlothian, Texas, and Midlothian Heritage High School. She played club ball for Impact Gold Jackson under head coach KC Jackson.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">During her high school career, she garnered 6A Region II District 11 newcomer of the year and academic all-district honors, as well as 5A Region I District 8 first-team all-district honors.
As a dual-sport athlete, King also participated in track where she was a 6A Region II 4x200 finalist and a two-time 5A Region I 4x100 finalist and triple jump finalist.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, King is a 4.0 student and plans to study health and human services at Baylor.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Kaygen Marshall<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Utility/Infield | Robinson, Texas | Robinson High School | Buzz Fastpitch<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Kaygen Marshall signs with Baylor from Robinson, Texas, and Robinson High School. She played club ball for Buzz Fastpitch under head coach Trey Holbrook.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">On her high school team, Marshall was a two-time district MVP and tied the Central Texas home run record with 22 home runs in a single season, which also ranked second in the nation. In
2023, she helped her team to a 32-9 record with a regional semi-final finish. She was a three-sport athlete who also competed in volleyball and basketball and earned academic all-district honors for all three.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, Marshall volunteered around town and worked little league games. She also started the carnivore club at her high school and worked with kids to teach them.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Lila Toll<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Infield | Vilonia, Arkansas | Vilonia High School | Epic National<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Lila Toll signs with Baylor from Vilonia, Arkansas, and Vilonia High School. She played club ball for Epic National under head coach Scotty Smith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Toll played three years of varsity ball for her high school, where she hit .467 with six home runs and seven stolen bases. For her club ball team, she helped them to a second-place finish
at Alliance Nationals and a third-place finish in the Colorado Sparkler. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, Toll was a distinguished honor student while also being recognized as the algebra, physical science and survey of business student of the year. She was a member of the HOSA
club and volunteered through HOSA and for the Special Olympics. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Olivia Buettner<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Infield | Denton, Texas | Denton Guyer High School | Titans National 07 Buettner<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Olivia Buettner signs with Baylor from Dallas, Texas, and Denton Guyer High School. She played club ball for Titans National 07 Buettner under head coach Matt Buettner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Buettner helped her high school team to the bi-district finals in 2022, as a three-year varsity member of the team. She was honored as a 2024 NFCA All-American, TSWA All-State honoree, DRC
Utility Player of the Year, as well as District MVP honors. In her sophomore campaign, she was also an NFCA All-America, All-State and Offensive Player of the Year. As a three-time DFW Fastpitch All-Metroplex team member, Buettner hit .690 in her junior campaign
with a .784 on-base percentage and 21 RBIs. She also pitched 100.2 innings with 152 strikeouts in her junior year.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Off the field, Buettner was her school valedictorian with academic all-district, all-state and all-American honors. She was a member of the National Honor Society while also serving as a
volunteer for various organizations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">2025 Baylor Softball Signees<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Charleigh Esparza<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Catcher | Friendswood, Texas | Friendswood High School | Strykers National Esparza<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Gianna Gusman<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Catcher/Outfield | Riverside, Calif. | King High School | Explosion Premier<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Harper Haas<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Outfield | Waco, Texas | Midway High School | Buzz Fastpitch<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Jayden King<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Outfield | Midlothian, Texas | Midlothian Heritage High School | Impact Gold Jackson<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Kaygen Marshall<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Utility/Infield | Robinson, Texas | Robinson High School | Buzz Fastpitch<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Lila Toll<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Infield | Vilonia, Arkansas | Vilonia High School | Epic National<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Olivia Buettner<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none">Infield | Denton, Texas | Denton Guyer High School | Titans National 07 Buettner<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none">- www.BaylorBears.com -<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">__________________________________</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:6.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> </span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#154734;mso-ligatures:none">Katy Gilmore</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"> | Associate Director
of Athletic Communications</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Department of Athletics | Baylor University</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">O: 254-710-2743 | C: 254-252-2182</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://baylorbears.com/" title="http://baylorbears.com/"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="160" height="44" style="width:1.6666in;height:.4583in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DB35DC.A71F5F90" alt="cidimage002.png@01D79F3C.9D2300D0"></span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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