CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston softball program announced three signings to cap off the 2020 signing class. The Golden Eagles have added Shaelyn Grant (C/OF, 5-7, Grand Junction, Colo./Central H.S.), Sofia Gombos (RHP, 5-11, Salinas, Calif./North Salinas H.S.), and Annjelica Moreno-Engelbrecht (RHP/SS, 5-7, Oceanside, Calif./Cerritos College).

The trio of signees gives Minnesota Crookston eight signees heading into the 2021 season. Grant, Gombos, and Moreno-Engelbrecht join Samantha Gutierrez (C, 5-5, Riverside, Calif./Patriot H.S.), Hailey Hatfield (UT, 5-3, Olathe, Kan./Olathe North H.S.), Katie Humhej (RHP, 5-10, Surrey, British Columbia/LIU Post), Rachel Jones (UT, 5-7, Fort Collins, Colo./Fort Collins H.S.), and Sarah Velasquez (OF, 5-2, Chino, Calif./Don Lugo H.S.).

"Adding Shaelyn, Sofia, and Annjelica to our 2020 class helps our depth in the circle, infield, and behind the plate," stated Head Coach Travis Owen. "They are all great people and hard workers who love the game, so they fit our team's mentality perfectly.  It was a bit unique recruiting them all "virtually" during this time, but we gave them a good idea about who we are at Minnesota Crookston, didn't rush the process, and are excited they'll be continuing their college education here and joining our squad!"

Minnesota Crookston's eight signees address key need areas for the Golden Eagles as they have added versatile players, supplemented their catching position, and added talented arms to their pitching staff.

Minnesota Crookston had heavy ties to California in the recruiting class with Gombos and Moreno-Engelbrecht increasing the total of players from the Golden State to four players in the 2020 class. In addition, Minnesota Crookston has signed two players from Travis Owen's home state of Colorado with the additions of Grant and Jones. Hatfield gives the Golden Eagles ties to Kansas, while Minnesota Crookston continues a long-standing tie with the softball program and Canada with Humhej. She joins Dana Zarn from Winnipeg, Manitoba, as Canadians on the 2021 roster. The four California signees gives Minnesota Crookston seven players from the Golden State, joining Hannah and Leah Macias (West Covina, Calif.), and Alina Avalos (Riverside, Calif.).

The Golden Eagles have 19 players for the 2021 season. Minnesota Crookston is looking to build on their best starts in program history with a 6-10 mark to open the 2020 season, which was shortened due to COVID-19. Minnesota Crookston has found success in their first two seasons under Coach Owen. The Golden Eagles set their single-season record for wins with 13 in Owen's first season in 2019. They have a strong core returning to the fray with 11 players back for 2021, while they have supplemented their talent pool with their signing class of eight players.

The student-athletes listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play softball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.


Sofia Gombos (RHP, 5-11, Salinas, Calif./North Salina H.S.)
Gombos competed for North Salinas H.S. She has been a two-time First Team All-Mission League selection. Gombos was selected as the All-County Pitcher of the Year. She was her team's Most Valuable Player. She also played field hockey in high school. As a junior, Gombos hit .370 with 17 runs scored, 10 doubles, one home run and 21 RBIs. In the circle, she posted a 1.49 ERA with 70 strikeouts and just 17 walks. As a sophomore, Gombos went 11-4 with a 3.14 ERA with 15 complete games and three shutouts. She amassed 121 strikeouts to just 25 walks. At the plate, she hit .494 with 31 runs scored, 13 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 40 RBIs. As a freshman, she hit .300 with eight runs scored and 14 RBIs. In the circle, she started 21 games as a freshman with 100 strikeouts to 69 walks.

Daughter of Frank and Lourdes Gombos. Both of her parents played competitive softball growing up, so she grew up around the softball diamond. Born June 27, 2002. Gombos plans to major in exercise science and wellness.

"Sofia has great presence in the circle and is enthusiastic about competing and improving," Owen said. "She will have a chance to push for lots of innings along with our other three pitchers.


Shaelyn Grant (C/OF, 5-5, Grand Junction, Colo./Grand Junction Central H.S.)
Grant hit .459 as a senior for Grand Junction Central H.S. She had 25 runs scored, 43 RBIs, six doubles, one triple, and 12 home runs. As a junior, Grant hit .368 with 26 runs scored, 19 RBIs, eight doubles, two triples, and six home runs. During her sophomore campaign, Grant batted .410 with 21 runs scored, 21 RBIs, five doubles, two triples, and eight home runs. As a freshman, she scored 10 runs and had three RBIs for Grand Junction Central H.S. She helped her team to a 22-4 mark as a senior as they lost in the semifinals of the Class 5A Region 5 tournament in 2019. Grant was a CCGS All-State selection at Grand Junction Central H.S. She was also selected CHSCA All-State. Grant was selected First Team Academic All-State and has also earned CHSAA Academic Honorable Mention. She was a Second Team All-Southwestern League pick in 2017 and 2018. Grant was named First Team All-Southwestern League in 2019. She was a four-year varsity letter winner in softball and band. Grant was an Athlete of the Month selection. She helped her team to six Southwestern League Championships. Grant helped Central H.S. to a CHSAA Final 4 appearance. She was a 2020 Netherlands Cup qualifier. In addition, she was a four-time regional qualifier.

Grant is the daughter of Lisa Sloan and Kenny Grant. She plans to major in animal science (pre-vet) at Minnesota Crookston. Grant was born June 8, 2002.

"Shaelyn is an athletic utility player who is a hard worker and will contribute right away due to that alone." Owen said. "She can also play catcher which is where I see her the most."
 

Annjelica Moreno-Engelbrecht (RHP/SS, 5-7, Oceanside, Calif./Cerritos College)

Moreno-Engelbrecht comes to Minnesota Crookston from Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif., where she competed as a pitcher and utility player. As a sophomore for the Falcons, she hit .200 with one walk and one stolen base. In the circle, Moreno-Engelbrecht pitched one inning as a sophomore. As a freshman, she competed at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa. She played for Katie Larson at Iowa Lakes, who is the sister of former Golden Eagle softball player and women's golfer Kristi Larson, and former Minnesota Crookston men's basketball player Kevin Larson. At the plate, Moreno-Engelbrecht hit .353 with 30 runs scored, 13 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 30 RBIs with two stolen bases. She posted a .395 on-base percentage with eight walks, and had a .544 slugging percentage. In the circle, Moreno-Engelbrecht pitched 47.0 innings with two complete games. She picked up one win with 21 strikeouts on the season. In high school, she competed for Oceanside H.S. Moreno-Engelbrecht hit .333 as a senior with 10 runs scored and 10 RBIs. In the circle, she went 2-2 with 11 appearances with one save. As a freshman in high school, she earned the Rookie of the Year Award. She also helped her team to th CIF Tournament. She pitched in the TCS Showcase by the Sea Tournament Championship,. Helping her team to a runner-up finish during her senior year of high school.

She is the daughter of David Engelbrecht and Genine Szabad. Moreno-Engelbrecht plans to major in business management. Born Oct. 16, 2000. Her dad was a champion in an invite-only tournament for martial arts in 1987, where he defeated actor and martial artist Ernie Reyes, Jr. Played for the San Diego Firecrackers Brashear/EZK.

"Annjelica, although a last minute signing, is someone who we've been recruiting for almost a year," Owen said. "She's competed against some good JUCO competition and will also be pushing for innings in the circle with our other three pitchers.  She can also play infield, as well."