HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston softball program and head coach Garret Valis have announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday.

The quartet — pitchers, Amy Abke and Abi Young, utility, Kinsey Hobbs, and infielder, Kristyn Whitlock — will join the Bearkats next fall and make their debut in the 2024 season.

"Signing day is what these athletes have all worked so hard for," Valis said. "This is an amazing day for these young ladies, their families and our program. Moving to Conference USA next year is a leap of progress for our program from a national competitive opportunity. Each of these athletes have competed against the best nationally on their journey to this day and that experience will serve them well on their journey here.
"We are excited about where the direction of our program is going and believe that each one of these four athletes fit our culture and will help us accomplish our goals of winning championships moving forward. I congratulate Amy, Abi, Kinsey, and Kristyn along with all the athletes signing with Sam Houston Athletics over the next several months. Eat 'em up Kats!"
 
Amy Abke
Abke, a Katy native, is nationally ranked No. 28 in the 2023 recruiting class. The two-time national champion comes to Huntsville from Seven Lakes High School. There, she has been a force in the circle and collected numerous accolades.

Abke threw a 20-strikeout no hitter against Klein Oak en route to leading the Spartans to the fourth round of playoffs in 2021 and 2022. She also holds the strikeout record at Seven Lakes with more than 800 and counting.

She was named Vype Houston area Pitcher of the Year (2022) and first team all-district in 2021 and 2022. Abke plays travel ball for Hotshots National Jones, where she has been a two-time Select 30 All-American and a three-time USSSA All-American. She was also a USA Softball Junior Olympian Selection. She is a member of the National Charity League (NCL) and plans to major in business.

"I chose Sam Houston because right when I stepped on campus, the coaches made me feel at home, and I felt that Sam is where I'm supposed to be," Abke said.
 
Abi Young
Young is an all-state pitcher for Northwest High School in Justin. She set her school record in strikeouts in 2021 and has been a key force in leading her team deep in the playoffs. Young and her team came up just short of a state tournament appearance in 2021, finishing in the regional finals.

Young was a first-team all-state selection in 2021 and also named to the All DFW Team in 2021 and 2022. She currently plays travel ball for Prolific Fastpitch. Young plans to major in health science and has plans to attend nursing school after graduation.

"I am excited to call (Sam Houston) home. It will be a place that I will meet people to call family and new friendships are built," Young said. "I am beyond grateful and super thankful for all the opportunities that God, my parents and Coach Valis and the staff have given me."
 
Kinsey Hobbs
Hobbs is a native of Lexington and joins older sister and current junior Kylie Hobbs in Huntsville. Kinsey Hobbs is a true utility athlete, being able to compete in the infield and in the outfield. Primarily playing shortstop at her high school, she was district Most Valuable Player, academic all-district in 2021 and 2022 and was all-state honorable mention in 2022.

Hobbs is a multi-sport athlete for Lexington High School and also plays volleyball. She plays travel ball for the Texas Blaze Gold.
Hobbs is currently in the top 10 percent in her class and plans to major in business.

"I chose Sam Houston because I loved the atmosphere and small-town community feel." Hobbs said. "The coaches were so welcoming and personable, making me feel right at home. I also loved the competitive attitude that the coaches and players have."
 
Kristyn Whitlock
Whitlock is a native of Pearland and is a two-time national champion with the Hotshots. She joins current teammate Amy Abke in this year's signing class.

Whitlock joins the Bearkats from Pearland High School. There she has been the district's defensive player of the year in 2021 and district's offensive player of the year in 2022. She was also named first-team all-district both years.

Whitlock is a true utility infielder that has experience at multiple positions and the ability to flex to the outfield. She plans to major in criminal justice.

"I chose Sam Houston because I knew they had the best criminal justice program in Texas," Whitlock said.