WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue adds three more student-athletes to the softball program on Wednesday as Ashley Gordish, Rachel Krzysko and Lianna Mullins will join the Boilermakers in the fall of 2017. The additions bring Boo De Oliveira's 2017 incoming freshman class to seven student-athletes as she signed Amanda Jacobson, Giana Lopez, Ryleigh Scott and Siena Wagner in the fall. All three future Boilermakers are members of the National Honors Society.
"All three signees are extremely bright," head coach Boo De Oliveira said. "They will be assets to Purdue not only on the ball field, but in the classroom as well. They have strong characters and want to win. They understand that our team culture is all about grit, family, discipline, and fortitude. They are ready to be selfless and rock their roles. I am excited to welcome Ashley, Rachel, Lianna, and their families to our Boilermaker Softball Family."
Name: Ashely Gordish
Height: 6-0
Hometown: Munster, Indiana
High School: Bishop Noll Institute
Major: Food Science
Gordish is the seventh of her family to attend Purdue University and joins the Boilermakers after lettering all four years of her high school career in volleyball and softball. After earning all-area and all-conference honors as a freshman, Gordish enjoyed a breakthrough season as a sophomore in which she hit .506 with 46 runs batted in and 11 home runs. Her production in her sophomore season led to first team all-conference and first-team all-area nods as well as an honorable mention for all-state. She was also recognized by the NWI Times and Post Tribune as an all-district honoree. Last year, as a junior, Gordish earned first team all-conference honors and was an all-area honorable mention. Overall, Gordish led Bishop Noll to sectional championships in 2013 and 2014 as well as a regional championship in 2013.
What They're Saying: Boo De Oliveira:"Ashley will be a great addition to our roster. She has the potential to hit for power and drive in runs for us. I worked with Ashley at Purdue Softball Camps when I was previously at Purdue as an Assistant Coach. It is exciting to see her develop into the ballplayer that she is today. We always like when we can keep the best local talent from leaving the state of Indiana. We are happy to add a power threat to our line-up, especially a power threat that bleeds black and gold."
Rich Sobilo, Head Coach of Bishop Noll Institute: "Ashley is a quiet leader who excels in everything she does. She is very humble but has the ability to dominate the game. Her humility and work ethic are what drive her."
Ashley Gordish: "I chose Purdue not only for the top-notch education, but because of the Boilermaker family. Purdue has a family orientated atmosphere that you cannot find anywhere else. Also, I have been raised bleeding black and gold. My parents, brother, and countless other relatives have attended Purdue. I have always known that I wanted to go to Purdue, and having the opportunity to represent them on the softball field is a dream come true."
"The thing I am most excited about in regards to Purdue softball is the team culture. All of the girls and coaches work hard every day and are 110% dedicated to the game."
Name: Rachel Krzysko
Height: 5-3
Hometown: Barrington Hills, Illinois
High School: Barrington High School
Major: Engineering
Like Gordish, Krzysko also brings four years of varsity experience to Purdue and has been a force at the plate from the moment she arrived at Barrington High School. As a freshman, she started at catcher and registered a .533 slugging percentage with six home runs, leading to an honorable mention by the Daily Herald. As a sophomore, she finished with all-conference and all-area honors after leading her team to a fourth place finish in the state tournament. Krzysko hit .349 with five home runs and was successful in all 13 of her stolen base attempts. She took advantage of RBI opportunities as well, hitting .500 with runners in scoring position. Krzysko's numbers were just as impressive her junior season as she was all-area and all-state thanks to a .406 batting average and .424 batting average with runners in scoring position. She finished the year 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts with 10 doubles.
What They're Saying: Boo De Oliveira: "Rachel is a solid defender who will compete at second base and outfield for us. I coached Rachel's sister Loren last season at the University of Arkansas. I know Rachel, like Loren, has a very hard work ethic and great character. She knows what she wants and will work for it. Rachel plays for a solid club ball team and knows what it takes to compete at the highest level. She is the type of gritty student-athlete that will blend into our team culture nicely."
Jim Abbott, Head Coach of New Lenox Lightning Gold: "Rachel is an outstanding person with great athletic talent as well as incredible character. She has tremendous drive, tenacity, desire and work ethic to become the best player she can be for her team. She's an outstanding teammate with an incredible attitude. The Purdue softball program will enjoy having Rachel as part of their family."
Rachel Krzysko: "I chose Purdue because it is one of the best engineering programs in the country and playing softball in the Big 10 is an incredible opportunity. When I visited Purdue, I loved the school, the coaches and the team. I'm looking forward to being able to contribute to Purdue athletically and academically."
"I'm excited about being able to play in the Big Ten, against some of the greatest teams in the country. I'm also excited to have the opportunity to travel to many different places across the country and have a second family with the softball team."
Name: Lianna Mullins
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Wellington, Florida
High School: Oxbridge Academy
Major: Materials Science and Engineering
Lianna Mullins has done it all throughout high school, leading her team in the circle and at the plate. The Wellington, Florida native was a First Team All-County Palm Beach Post and Sun Sentinel recipient her freshman and sophomore seasons. Then as a junior, Mullins' production was second-to-none as she posted a .74 ERA with 173 strikeouts in 108 innings of work, complemented by a .500 batting average, three home runs and 32 runs batted in. The breakthrough campaign lead to another first team all-county nod by the Palm Beach Post and was named First Team 4A All-State.
What They're Saying: Boo De Oliveira: "Lianna is very versatile in that she can pitch, hit, and also play another position. She will be a true utility for us. She wants the softball in her hands on the mound when the pressure is on; that is the type of mindset that we want in our program. Lianna works with my childhood pitching coach which is exciting because she will understand and adapt quickly to my style of coaching our pitchers. She has high-caliber club softball experience and will be an asset to our team. Lianna expects to win and so does Boilermaker Softball."
Kevin O'Donnell, Head Coach of New Jersey Intensity: "Congrats go out to Intensity's own Lianna Mullins who is signing her letter to Purdue University. We are excited to see her flourish in this remarkable program. On her journey with Intensity she has learned to prepare, perform and persevere and with these qualities she will be an asset to the Boilermakers."
Lianna Mullins: "The moment my dad told me about Purdue I was automatically hooked. Purdue has the most impressive engineering program for my major. Aside from the academics, I wanted to go to a school where the culture of family and team is a top priority. Coach Boo, her coaching staff, and my future teammates is exactly what I'm looking for in a team. I felt like I was home but just in a different state. Everyone is overly giving and welcoming, it was as though I was wanted there just as much as I wanted to be there. Since I first started playing softball when I was little I dreamt about playing in a power five conference. Purdue puts me in every position to be successful in my future."
"I am most excited about my new teammates, the chance to compete in one of the best conferences in softball, and hopefully be part of bringing a Big Ten championship to West Lafayette."
