LOGAN, Utah - Two former Utah State softball players have signed with an overseas team, as April Brown and Sydney Hart will spend the next six months playing professionally for the Mannheim Tornados in Mannheim, Germany.

The Tornados are part of the Softball Bundesliga organization. The season is set to begin on Sunday, April 15, with play extending through the summer around Germany. As the defending German Championship winner, the Mannheim Tornados will play in the European Premier Cup, held in Forli, Italy, in August.

A pitcher and native of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Brown spent two seasons at Utah State after starting her career at Des Moines Area Community College. In her two years with the Aggies, Brown posted a 20-13 record and a 3.35 ERA in 202.1 innings pitched. She graduated from USU in 2017.

Hart, a native of Pacific Grove, Calif., was a three-time letterwinner for the Aggies, also graduating last year. Over her four seasons as an Aggie, Hart appeared in 107 games, making 81 starts. A catcher, she posted a career batting average of .247 (53-of-215), and currently ranks ninth on the USU career slugging percentage record list at .488. Hart was also a strong defensive player, committing just one error in her four-year career.

Fans can follow the Aggie softball program on Twitter, @USUSoftball, on Facebook at /USUSoftball or on Instagram, @ususoftball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.