Softball Signs Seven On National Signing Day
11/13/2024
SEATTLE – Washington softball head coach Heather Tarr welcomes the addition of seven signees on Wednesday. Joining the Huskies as freshman in fall 2025 are Melody Acevedo, Kaycie Burdick, Ally Hetzel, Zuri Patterson, Mila Reddy, Amira Rodriguez and Allie Thomsen.
“Overall, we built this class with the intent to add plenty of depth to our 2026 team,” Tarr said. “The class includes two pitchers who can contribute on both sides of the ball, speed and athleticism in the outfield, depth at the catching position and championship-level experience from the 18 and under level.”
“We are extremely happy with the 2025 signing class,” Tarr added. “These athletes will have a chance to contribute immediately to our success in the Big Ten Conference for the 2026 season.”
MELODY ACEVEDO
Riverside, Calif. | Hillcrest H.S. | Firecrackers Rico | INF
Melody Acevedo makes her way to Montlake from Riverside, California where she played high school ball with Hillcrest and travel with Firecrackers Rico. As a sophomore, her and Firecrackers Rico placed eighth at Alliance. At the high school level, Acevedo and Hillcrest won state in her freshman season.
Her greatest softball memory is hitting the go-ahead home run in at CIF.
While at Washington, she plans on majoring in business. Outside of the field, Acevedo loves to spend time with family.
WHY WASHINGTON?
It felt like a home away from home.
COACH TARR ON MELODY
Melody (Melo) comes from the renowned travel ball program Firecrackers, a program who developed some of our former Huskies Taylor Van Zee and Sis Bates. Melo is a right-handed power hitter who plays the middle infield. We are excited to get her into our program and watch her continue to develop her skills while she makes a big impact on our program.
KAYCIE BURDICK
Pleasanton, Calif.| Foothill H.S. | So Cal Athletics | OF
Kaycie Burdick makes her way to Montlake from Pleasanton, California. At the high school level, Burdick earned numerous accolades including First Team All-League, Offensive Player of the Year, All-Bay Area First Team, Bay Area Softball Hitter of the Year and NorCal First Team selection. During the 2023 season, she hit .552 with 37 runs, 37 hits, 20 RBI, four doubles, a triple and nine home runs. With So Cal Athletics, she hit a walk-off three-run home run at PGF Nationals to help the team place in the Top 12.
While at Washington, she plans on majoring in business administration. In addition to softball, Burdick competes in weightlifting and volleyball. In 2017, she competed at Junior Nationals for weightlifting.
WHY WASHINGTON?
Not only does the softball program speak for itself but the coaches are very loving and supportive. UW has one of the most beautiful campuses but also has high academics as well. I felt right at home when I stepped foot on campus.
COACH TARR ON KAYCIE
Kaycie is an outfielder and an offensive threat from the left side. She brings speed and power to our lineup, as well as an arm that rivals some of the best in the game. She has also proven her athleticism on the volleyball court, where she made a huge impact recently in the Northern California high school volleyball scene.
ALLY HETZEL
Snoqualmie, Wash. | Mount Si H.S. | Washington Ladyhawks | C/UTL
Ally Hetzel joins the Huskies from Snoqualmie where she played for Mount Si High School. She is a three-time team captain and over her three years thus far has batted .486 with 100 RBI, 21 home runs and an OPS of 1.500. As a freshman she was honored as a first team all-league selection at second base and first team all-state catcher as a sophomore. She was also named the 4A KingCo Offensive MVP.
In her first season with the Washington Ladyhawks, Hetzel hit .455 with 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 43 RBI and a triple helping the team post a record of 43-19-4. In her junior season, she helped the Ladyhawks to a Top 25 finish at PGF while hitting .456 with 16 home runs and 49 RBI.
Hetzel plans on majoring in psychology and sports education. Outside of softball she plays flute and piccolo. In addition, Hetzel crochets with her favorite pieces being sweaters and stuffed animals.
WHY WASHINGTON?
I chose the University of Washington because of its tight-knit culture, high-level education, and great coaches. It has been my dream to compete for a National Championship playing for my hometown team!
COACH TARR ON ALLY
Ally brings great passion and enthusiasm to the Husky softball program. She’s a local product from Mount Si High School. She adds depth to our team with her skills behind the plate and her bat from the right side. She’s a versatile athlete who will compete for playing time.
ZURI PATTERSON
Waukee, Iowa | Waukee Northwest H.S.| Iowa Premier | 1B
Zuri Patterson joins the Huskies from Waukee, Iowa. With her club team, Iowa Premier, she helped her team to a perfect 30-0 season and was named the 2022 AFON 14U National Champions. At the high school level, Patterson was named the 2022 5A Iowa State Champions and named to the all-tournament team.
Her greatest softball memory was winning state and then less than a week later winning nationals.
Patterson plans on majoring in nursing or pre-health sciences while at Washington. In addition to softball, she competed in shot put where she was a state runner-up.
WHY WASHINGTON?
UW offers the best of both worlds, high level academics and a competitive softball program. The team truly feels like a family, and the coaching staff is very supportive and hands on with all athletes to make sure they reach their full potential!
COACH TARR ON ZURI
Zuri comes from a competitive softball program out of Iowa. She is a first baseman and is a true left-handed power hitter. She brings elite power to our lineup. We are excited to help Zuri continue to develop her offensive skills. Her unique skill set as a lefty power hitter has a place in our future line ups.
MILA REDDY
Los Angeles, Calif. | Crescenta Valley H.S. | Athletics Mercado | INF
Mila Reddy makes her way to the Emerald City from the City of Angels. In her high school career, Reddy has been named a two-time first team all-pacific league honoree on her way to being named 2024 league champions. With her club team, Athletics Mercado, they earned PGF runner-up and Triple Crown national champions.
Reddy plans on majoring in business. Off the field, she enjoys cooking a baking.
WHY WASHINGTON?
I chose UW because as soon as I stepped on campus I felt right at home. I know I will thrive under the great coaching staff and competitive atmosphere of the program.
COACH TARR ON MILA
Mila is a right-handed power hitter with skills as an elite infielder. She comes from a very competitive travel ball environment, finishing this past summer as runner up at the 2024 PGF Nationals with the Mercado Athletics. We are excited for Mila to get here and be a contributor to the Husky program.
AMIRA RODRIGUEZ
Harlingen, Texas | Harlingen South H.S. | Texas Riptide | P/UTL
Pitcher/utility Amira Rodriguez makes her way to Seattle from Texas. With San Benito High School, Rodriguez made the semifinals during her sophomore season before going on to Harlingen High School South and earning state runner-up as a junior. With her travel team, Texas Riptide, they were named the Colorado Sparkler and Top Gun Invitational Champs in 2022
At Washington, Rodriguez plans on majoring in kinesiology. In addition to softball, she made regionals in powerlifting while placing third at regionals as a sophomore and fifth at state as a junior.
WHY WASHINGTON?
It’s an amazing environment with amazing people, and it feels so different but feels like home.
COACH TARR ON AMIRA
Amira is a right-handed hitter who pitches and plays the infield. She is very strong and will have a chance to make us better in the circle, and at the plate. She’s a dynamic athlete who also competes on the youth power lifting circuit. Amira comes from an incredible family, and we can’t wait for her to grow into the person and player she dreams of while competing for the Huskies.
ALLIE THOMSEN
Mill Creek, Wash. | Jackson H.S. | ai Bandits Breer | OF/P
Allie Thomsen makes her way to Montlake from nearby Mill Creek. At Jackson High School, Thomsen became the single-season all-time hits leader in 2024 with 50 and runs with 44. Her 11 homers are second-most in a single season. In addition, Jackson High School won back-to-back state championships in 2023 and 2024. Thomsen was named SBLive First Team All-State and First Team 4A All-Wesco.
While at Washington, Thomsen plans on majoring in communications. Outside of softball, she loves hanging out with family and friends.
WHY WASHINGTON?
I chose UW because it has always been a dream of mine to play softball at UW. I have always looked up to coach Tarr and all of the players growing up. The campus is beautiful and it immediately felt like home.
COACH TARR ON ALLIE
Allie is a versatile athlete from the state of Washington who will compete for time in our offense, the pitching circle and in our outfield. She’s a right-handed pitcher from Jackson HS in Mill Creek. She’s a cousin of former Husky Bailey Stenson who was part of the 2009 National Championship team. Allie’s a left-handed hitter who will contribute to our offense.
For more information on the UW softball team, follow @UWSoftball on X and Instagram.