Colorado State University Athletics
Fisher adds trio to CSU softball roster
11/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Head Coach Jen Fisher and the Colorado State softball team added three members to its roster, signing Lauren Buchanan, Bridgette Hutton and Amber Nelson to National Letters of Intent during the early-signing period, which began Nov. 12.
“Although the staff worked very hard in the recruiting process, I must admit that it was 'easy' to recruit these three young ladies,” Fisher said. “All three are such great fits for our program that we knew immediately that we wanted them. We are getting three very solid ballplayers who all have exceptional competitive backgrounds, but we are also getting three really outstanding students and three great people. As excited as we are about how they fit with the program and the coaches, we are equally thrilled about how they already seem to fit together. I do think that it’s very important to have personalities that mesh well, and I certainly think we have achieved that with Lauren, Bridgette and Amber.”
Lauren Buchanan
Will be a 2015 graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School… Born and raised in Wichita, Kan. … Through three seasons, has helped the Golden Eagles to three league championships and three state titles… Has earned first-team all-state honors each season… Named to her all-city first team all three seasons and all-metro twice… Her high school at one point was ranked eighth in the country by MaxPreps… Played club softball for Mac N Seitz Storm… Is a two-year member of the National Honor Society… Named to the Presidential Honor Roll three times… Daughter of Tom and Terri Buchanan… Has a younger sister, Caroline… Her father played baseball at Kansas, while her uncle, Lance Milsap, was a wrestler at Nebraska… Is undecided on a major.
“Lauren comes to us with an exceptional athletic pedigree,” Fisher said. “Not only has she been around some great athletes in her family, but she also has had some great coaching and has been a part of three state championship teams. She will be a presence behind the plate and with her stick. She brings a calm but fiery demeanor, and will fit well with our overall programmatic goals. We’re getting an exceptional student and well-rounded individual in Lauren, and she’ll be a welcome addition to the Rams softball family.”
Bridgette Hutton
Will be a 2015 graduate of Valley High School in Gilcrest, Colo. … Born in Denver, Colo. … Raised in Platteville, Colo. … Named to the Patriot League first team all four seasons… Is a two-time CHSAA 3A first-team All-State selection (2013, 2014)… Named the 2014 Colorado 3A Player of the year… Earned recognition by the Greeley Tribune in both 2012 (Defensive Player of the Year) and 2013 (Player of the Year)… Helped the Vikings to a 3A state title as a freshman in 2011… Earned a second-place finish in 2012 and third-place in 2013 and 2014… Won two league titles and four regional championships… Finished her softball career first in Valley High School history for ERA (0.67), strikeouts (478), wins in a season (18), strikeouts in a season (244) and season ERA (0.27), and second for career wins (41) and career batting average (.535)… Earned All-Colorado team honorable mention honors as a sophomore (2012)… Has earned nine varsity letters, including four in softball, four in basketball and one in volleyball… Played club softball for Warriors Select… Has earned multiple academic honors, including a two-time CHSAA Academic All-State recipient… Is the daughter of Chris and Randy Hutton… Both parents attended CSU, and her mom – the former Chris Oglesby – was an all-region softball player… Her two older sisters, Taylor and Haley, are current members of the CSU softball team… Her grandpa, Fred Oglesby, and uncle, Luke Oglesby, played football and baseball, respectively, at CSU…Is undecided on a major.
“Who better to understand the culture that is CSU softball than Bridgette Hutton,” Fisher said. “It’s rare to be so lucky to coach more than one sister, but to coach all three is an incredible opportunity. All three Hutton sisters have such a tremendous work ethic, and we are thrilled to be getting Bridgette in the 2015 class. I think fans will really enjoy watching Bridgette, as she is quite a talented pitcher and a gifted hitter, just like her big sisters. Bridgette has been around the program for several years now, and has watched our growth. To have someone who is that invested and committed will be a great asset. Bridgette was part of a state championship her freshman year in high school, so we expect her to be ready for the pressures of Mountain West competition and to contribute immediately.”
Amber Nelson
Will be a 2015 graduate of Murrieta Valley High School… Born in Glendora, Calif. … Raised in Murrieta, Calif. … Earned All-Southwestern League honors three times… Named her team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2014… Helped the Nighthawks to two league titles (2013 and 2014) and a 2014 PGF national championship… Earned four varsity letters in softball… Played club for OC United… Is the daughter of Ron Nelson… Has two older sisters, Lynea and Brianna… Intends to study business administration.
“We feel fortunate to be getting Amber Nelson, as it was a surprise that she was still available,” Fisher said. “We felt like the process with Amber was really easy, because once we got to know Amber it was immediately apparent that she was a great fit for our Ram family. Amber is a talented left-handed bat. We’ll look for her to be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of our lineup for years to come. She has experience at catcher and outfield, and we expect that her high level of club ball playing experience in southern California will have her well prepared to contribute at this level. She is a winner who is used to pressure situations, winning the prestigious PGF national championship in 2014.”
CSU is coming off its third-straight winning season, going 32-17 and posting the fifth-best winning percentage in school history. The Rams were in contention for a Mountain West title going into the final day of the season.