The UNI Panthers are getting one of the top softball recruits in the country, according to a national scouting agency. Head Coach Ryan Jacobs has announced the addition of Abby Downs to the 2016 recruiting class.

Downs is a four-year athletic and academic letter-winner for Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz. She was named second-team all-state as a junior in 2015 and is currently the top-ranked first basemen in the country, according to Scout Softball, which evaluates fast-pitch players all over the United States.

"Abby was introduced to us late in the recruiting process for the 2016 class," said Jacobs. "From Arizona, Abby has ties back in the Cedar Valley, so she decided to explore the option of coming to Iowa to further her education and play ball.

According to Jacobs, Downs has good size, athletic ability, and strength.

"She will fit right into our program with her ability to be versatile on the field and her potential to grow and develop," Jacobs said. "We couldn't be more excited to be getting Abby as an addition to an already great 2016 signing class."

Off the field, Downs volunteers with organizations such as Feed My Starving Children and Best Buddies, where she was nominated to be the historian for the organization after working with them throughout high school. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and will graduate with a 4.2 grade-point average.

Downs officially signed her UNI letter of intent this week, after announcing her commitment to the Panthers via twitter in January.


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