SAN FRANCISCO – Building for the future, head coach Sonja Garnett and her staff are excited to welcome two freshmen, infielder Freddie Carrillo (San Jose, Calif./Piedmont Hills HS) and catcher/infielder Austyn Matlick (Maple Valley, Wash./Tahoma Senior HS), to the Academy of Art University softball program for the 2016-17 season. ART U will progressively reveal its entire recruiting class with announcements each Wednesday over the next four weeks.

"This class of athletes is exceptional in talent and diversity," said Garnett. "They have speed, power, and are utility players who will fill in some big holes left by the last two senior classes. They are bought into our program and university and are already becoming a part of our family."

Carrillo, a 5-5 middle infielder and third baseman, spent three years on varsity playing around the diamond at Piedmont Hills High School. Selected Junior of the Year in 2014-15, Carrillo led the team with a .451 batting average and 16 runs scored in 20 games played. She would be named Second Team All-League in her career, hit above .445 in each of her seasons, and was one of three seniors who led the way for the Pirates to go 17-9 overall last year. Daughter to Eleanor and Freddy, Carrillo plans to major in Graphic Design this fall while working toward a career as a business owner.

"Freddie has been a determined recruit and is ahead of the game," said Garnett. "She is a competitive third baseman and is fun to watch hustle on the field."

Matlick, a 5-6 catcher/first baseman, recently graduated Tahoma High School in Washington after playing three years for Shawna Wright at the Northwest Prospect Academy. Among her pre-collegiate highlights was a home run that earned her team a victory in the Triple Crown Western World Series. Daughter to Jennifer and Jeffery, Matlick will major in Visual Development: Game Design this September.

"Austyn is an extremely talented artist and a strong athlete," said Garnett. "She has a powerful bat and I am excited to see her grow in our program."

These two future artist-athletes will join Academy of Art this fall to prepare for the Urban Knights' upcoming 2017 season.