THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball and coach Aileen Morales announced the signing of three future Yellow Jackets to the 2022 roster during the fall signing period on Wednesday.
All three student-athletes of Tech’s 2022 class were ranked in the top 50 of Extra Inning Softball’s 2022 Extra Elite 100. The class provides depth to each level of the field being composed of one catcher, one infielder and one outfielder.
Jayden Gailey, 1B (Lavonia, Ga./Franklin County High School/Mojo Fisher)
Gailey comes to The Flats from Lavonia, Ga., where she was a four-year letter winner as a first baseman and pitcher for Franklin County High School. Ranked as the No. 46 prospect and No. 6 first baseman in the nation by Extra Inning Softball, Gailey helped lead the Lions to a state championship in 2018 and regional championships in 2020 and 2021. Individually, the highly touted recruit has raked in a multitude of awards being named GACA State Player of the Year twice, Region Player of the Year three times, Region Pitcher of the Year and GACA First Team All-State. Gailey has also competed in the 2021 GADC All-Star Game. In Franklin County’s record books, Gailey is the all-time leader in school history with 31 homeruns. The future Jacket totaled 49 wins, 187 hits, 51 doubles, 154 RBI and 73 walks for a .510 batting average throughout her high school career. Gailey also played travel ball for Mojo Fisher. Upon arriving at Georgia Tech, Gailey plans to major in business administration.
Reese Hunter, C (Roswell, Ga./Roswell High School/Mojo Fisher)
Hunter joins the Yellow Jackets from Roswell, Ga., where she was a four-year letter winner at catcher and shortstop for Roswell High School. Also earning the nod as captain for a season, Hunter comes in as the No. 24 prospect and No. 8 catcher in the nation according to Extra Inning Softball. Throughout her high school career, Hunter has piled up individual recognitions being named 7A First Team All-Region at catcher and All-Summer team by Extra Inning Softball in 2020 and 2021 while being honored by the Hornets as defensive player of the year twice, offensive player of the year and MVP. Hunter has also competed in multiple GADC All-State games. Outside of high school competition, Hunter also played travel ball with Mojo Fisher. Academically, Hunter was named to the Principal’s Honor Roll each semester of her high school career and plans to major in business at Georgia Tech.
Paige Vukadinovich, OF (Munster, Ind./Munster High School/Iowa Premier Gold – Dickel)
Vukadinovich comes to Georgia Tech from Munster, Ind., where she was a four-year letter winner in center field for Munster High School. The future Yellow Jacket comes in as the No. 25 prospect and No. 10 outfielder in the nation according to Extra Inning Softball after aiding the Mustangs to a pair of conference championships. Individually, Vukadinovich has garnered multiple honors as she’s been named First Team All-Conference twice, First Team All-Area and Second Team All-Area. The lauded recruit currently owns multiple school records for the Mustangs, placing third in school history in a single season in batting average (.479), hits (45) and RBI (36). She set the school record for triples in a season (6) and tied it the following season while also breaking the program record for single season hits (52) and batting average (.520). Apart from high school play, Vukadinovich also played travel ball with Iowa Premier Gold – Dickel. A two-time honor roll recipient, Vukadinovich intends to major in business at Georgia Tech.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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