LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head softball coach Steve Johnson announced the signing of three players to the 2024 roster in shortstop/second baseman Emerson Meggers (Vacaville, California/Vacaville Christian HS), catcher Zereniti Sousa (Wheatland, California/Wheatland Union HS) and outfielder Tatum Silva (Rescue, California/Ponderosa HS).
 
"This class is small, but it's a strong one as it meets all of our needs at various positions," Johnson said. "All three signees have tremendous character that fits well into our culture, care about their academics and are versatile athletes who can play multiple positions. On a cool side note, all three have known each other for many years and have played together at various times, so it's pretty neat that they all get to continue their careers together at Utah State."
 
Meggers is a three-year letterwinner at Vacaville (California) Christian High School. She is a two-time academic all-league honoree, while earning Sierra Dalton League MVP and Cal-Hi Sports all-state honors as a junior in 2022. Meggers helped Vacaville Christian HS to a third-place finish at sections in 2022.
 
Last season, Meggers had a .727 batting average with 33 runs, 32 hits, 24 RBIs, 14 triples, 12 doubles and four home runs. Meggers also played club ball for CA Breeze from 2016-22 and Universal Fastpitch since 2022.
 
"Emerson is a very athletic middle infielder," Johnson said. "She can play both middle positions, first base, and the outfield if needed. She's got great range and a plus arm on the defensive side.  Offensively, she's a left-handed bat who can hit for average and power. As someone who's still growing and developing, her ceiling to continue improving as an athlete is extremely high."
 
Sousa is a four-year letterwinner at Wheatland Union (California) High School. She has played in 62 career games, hitting .539 with 96 RBIs, 81 runs, 40 doubles, 15 home runs and six triples. She was named team MVP in 2022 and has earned first team Cal-Hi Sports all-state, all-Northern Section CIF and all-Butte View League honors, as well as second-team Sac Bee all-metro. Sousa helped lead Wheatland Union HS through its deepest playoff run in school history at the 2022 CIF Regionals, as well as a 2022 Northern Section runner-up finish. Sousa also played basketball and volleyball.
 
Sousa has played club ball for the LTG Lions since 2013 as she has been named to the Extra Innings Softball Elite 100 Player in the Class of 2023 and PFG Futures All-American Watch List. With the LTG Lions, Sousa has played in the PGF Premier Nationals, TC Nationals and TC Fireworks Power Pool.
 
"Zereniti is one of the best catchers in the west this class," Johnson said. "She was ranked No. 20 in the Extra Innings Extra Elite 100 and the No. 8 catcher in her class. Her ability to get low and then receive and frame pitches is going to make her a pitcher favorite as she gets strikes for them. She has a plus arm to throw out runners and has the ability to play other positions as needed. At the plate, she's a true ballplayer as she hits for average with a power potential and runs well on the bases."
 
Silva is a two-year letterwinner at Ponderosa (California) HS. She hit .600 as a sophomore and .550 as a freshman, and has earned first team all-league accolades. Silva has played club ball for nearly eight years and has helped her team to a third-place finish at the PGF Nationals in 2022. Silva also competed in track and basketball.
 
"Tatum is a spark plug of a player who will be a fan favorite with her infectious attitude and constant smile," Johnson said. "In the outfield, she can play all three positions and has both great range to track down fly balls and a strong arm to throw out runners. Hitting from the left side, Tatum is a true table setter. As a slapper, she has the ability to frustrate defenses by slapping or bunting her way on and then stealing a base or two. She can also hit away in RBI situations making her extremely versatile."
 
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.
 
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