HELENA, Mont. -- As winter training picks up for the Carroll College Saints softball team, here's a look back at the team's 2018 recruiting class. 

"Our 2018 class is a great class both on and off the field," Saints coach Aaron Jackson said. "This class will add some depth to our roster and push to make our team better each day. It is a class that stretches from Kentucky to Seattle and many stops in between. I am excited to watch this class develop and look for them to be contributors now and into the future."

The Saints added seven players in its 2018 class, one that figures to be a big part of the Saints' upcoming spring season. 

First up, the Saints added Josie Parker, a corner infielder out of Garfield High in Seattle. The 5-foot-4 Barker lettered four times in softball and twice in golf, while also earning the Metro League's All-Valley Utility Player award and being named Garfield's Offensive Player of the Year as a junior. Her senior year she was named an All-Metro outfielder and earned the Garfield's Coaches Award. 
 
"Josie joins us from Seattle as a corner infielder," Jackson said. "She will compete at third base and brings a strong bat to the lineup. At the corner position, Josie has a great glove and ability to attack the ball." 

Jessica Nimmo joined the Saints as a middle infielder and outfielder from Las Vegas, Nevada. The 5-9 player attended Palo Verde High and is also a multi-sport athlete. She lettered in basketball in 2015 and in softball from 2015-17. Her high school team finished as the Nevada state championship runner up in 2015 and '16 and won the title in '17. 

"Jessica comes to us from Las Vegas, Nevada, as a middle infielder and outfield," Jackson said.  "She has the ability to play both second and short along with all outfield positions. Nimmo also is strong at the plate and has the ability to hit for power and average."

Emma Hamilton joined the Saints after a prep career in Lexington, Kentucky. The 5-7 catcher and utility player attended Bryan Station High, where she lettered four years in softball. She was named all-city in 2017 and 2018. She was also selected to the all-region team in 2018, as well as all-district in 2016 and 2018. She was a four-year starter and a team captain from 2016-18. 

"Emma joins us from Lexington, Kentucky, as a catcher," Jackson said. "She is our first commitment from the bluegrass state but her ties to Montana run deep. Emma is a solid catcher and has great power at the plate."

The last name Brewer should already be familiar to Saints fans. Amber Brewer joins her older sister Brooke Brewer on the Saints softball team this spring. 

Amber also attended Sandra Day O'Connor High. The outfielder was selected as an all-region honorable mention in 2016, all-region second team member in 2017 and all-region first team in 2018. She became a 2018 all-conference second team player. She had a combined batting average of .404 and an on-base percentage of .444. She had 14 career home runs. 

"Amber will continue a streak of Sandra Day O'Connor High School grads to join the Saints," Jackson said. "Amber will also rejoin her sister Brooke who is a sophomore outfielder for us. Brewer is an outfielder with a strong arm and can play in all fields.  She also brings a powerful bat and we look to her to add some power to our lineup."

Rachel Vance comes to the Saints after a prep career at Riverside Christian in Yakima, Washington. The 5-3 third baseman plans to major in biochemistry. She was an all-league player in 2016 and 2018, and was also named her team's MVP in 2016. She earned the Rookie of the Year Award and in 2015 won the Silver Sluggard. She held a 3.77 GPA in high school. 

"Rachel joins us from Yakima, Washington, as a corner infielder," Jackson said. "We look for Rachel to play primarily at third base where she has a solid glove at the hot corner. At the plate she will bring a solid bat."

Kailey Harrison is a middle infielder who joined the Saints from Jerome High in Jerome, Idaho. She plans to major in health science. The 5-6 middle infielder brings serious academic chops to the team. She had a 3.98 GPA in high school while playing volleyball, basketball and softball. She was an all-conference first team player in 2017 and 2018 and her team's MVP in 2015. She was selected as a tri-athlete from 2016-18. 

"We look for her to play second base and add a solid bat to our lineup," Jackson said. "Kailey has the ability to hit not only for average but also for power."

Michaela Boyette joined the Saints after playing at Taylorsville High in Salt Lake City, Utah. The multi-sport athlete lettered in basketball, soccer and softball. She was a team captain on the basketball, soccer and softball teams, earning academic all-region in soccer. On the softball field as a catcher and outfielder, she earned honorable mention all-state honors, her team's Most Inspirational and was recognized as the Taylorsville's Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. She held a 3.88 GPA in high school. 

"She is our first commitment from the Beehive State," Jackson said. "Michaela has great speed and will compete not only behind the plate but in the outfield. Interesting side note about Michaela is that she is serving as Miss Teen Utah America."

The Saints softball teams 2019 recruiting class will be announced at a later date.