Twin battery unit headlines SIU Softball’s signing day

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois softball coach Jen Sewell announced her first signing class on Wednesday, an impressive collection of position players, a hitting-pitcher, plus one of the most sought-after high school pitchers in the country.
Joining the program next fall are pitcher Maddia Groff, catcher Rylinn Groff, outfielder Katherine Johnson, infielder Amanda Knutson and pitcher-infielder Kiana McDowell.
“The mound was an obvious priority but while recruiting pitcher Maddia Groff, that brought us to Rylinn her twin sister, who catches, and Katherine her teammate in the outfield,” Sewell explained. “That is three of the top players in the state of Nebraska in one recruiting class. The icing on the cake is Knutson and McDowell — two players who, just like the Nebraskans, that play for one of the top club teams in the country.”
Sewell said several members of this year’s recruiting class chose SIU over Power Five offers, electing to join a Saluki program that made eight NCAA Tournament appearances under her predecessor and mentor, Kerri Blaylock.
“This entire class expects to win and expects to be there on championship day,” Sewell said. “The formula is simple. Recruits have to fit into our team-first culture, they have to excel academically and they have to understand competitive excellence. We accomplished all of that with these signees.”


Maddia Groff (LHP, Bennington, Neb.) led Omaha Marian High School to a 2022 Class A state championship last season, earning All-Nebraska Super State first-team honors. She was the Metro Conference Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year. Groff struck out 307 batters, posted a 0.93 ERA and also hit .506.
Sewell on Maddia Groff:
“Maddia’s name is among the all-time greats in Nebraska, including Ruby Meylan (Washington) and Jordy Bahl (Oklahoma). After breaking Jordy’s state strikeout record, she now gets to shine and make her own name and obviously we are absolutely thrilled to have her on board here at Southern.  We want her to make her own legacy here in a Saluki uniform. Maddia is a southpaw so she will counter our right-handed power pitchers like Stinson, Eberle, and her classmate McDowell and give lineups a totally different look.  Maddia’s best quality though just may be her level of competitiveness — her engine is on a different level than most and despite a smaller stature she will come at you like a prize fighter on the mound.”


Joining Maddia at SIU is twin sister and battery mate Rylinn Groff (C, Bennington, Neb.). She threw out 90 percent of base stealers in last season  and hit .486 with 18 stolen bases. Rylinn earned All-Nebraska Super State first team honors, plus First-Team All State Class A, All-Metro first team, and First-Team All-Conference recognition.
Sewell on Rylinn Groff:
Rylinn is the other half of the magic formula to Maddia.  Yes they are twins but Rylinn runs the show behind the scenes.  A typical catcher mentality, Ry is a worker not a talker, you won’t hear much out of her but her game shows up in big moments when her team needs a runner thrown out or a pitch dug out of the dirt.  Rylinn has had an incredible career of her own already.  What’s not to love about a catcher that throws out 90% of her runners, hits in the middle of the lineup and steals bases?!  Historically that’s what we have had behind the plate her at Southern – big arm and big bat but to run as well as she does is incredible.  Personally I want her to get the spotlight she deserves because the sky is the limit for Rylinn here at SIU. As a former catcher I will always be rooting for her.  I just appreciate and respect the way she goes about her business and just does her job.


Katherine Johnson (OF, Omaha, Neb.) blasted a state-record 20 home runs as a junior for Millard North High School. In 2022, she hit .467 with 14 home runs and 40 RBI, and was named All-State by the Omaha World-Herald. She also earned All-Metro and All-Metro Academic honors.
Sewell on Katherine Johnson:
“Katherine may be one of the most explosive hitters we will ever sign here at Southern.  Think Merrianne Patterson and Maddy Vermejan – just those types who love a chance to take a swing that can totally change a game. She’s the only player to ever hit 20 homeruns in a single season.  One-third of the hits she records are homeruns.  I think that stat is just crazy.  We expect her to play outfield right away as we graduate several key players out there.  Her defensive skills match her hitting abilities as well.  I’ve seen her make some big catches and throw out runners in big time situations.  Katherine is a gamer – she wants the competition and she doesn’t back down in big moments.  This is who you want with the bat or the ball in her hand to change a game.  Maddia, Rylinn and Katherine have all played together at the highest level of club softball and all they do is win.  They are used to playing on championship day.”


Amanda Knutson (INF, Bonner Springs, Kan.) hit .417 with eight home runs and a .985 fielding percentage for Basehor-Linwood High School as a junior last spring. She was an All-State selection who helped lead her team to a conference championship and second place finish in the 5A state tournament. She also placed second in the 5A State Championship for Powerlifting as a junior. Academically, Knutson was a two-time National Honors Society member.
Sewell on Amanda Knutson:
“My advice is do not sleep on this kid.  She’s played with the best in the country.  Smaller framed but with big pop and sweet, sweet hands on the infield.  When you walk up to a field she looks the part.  Amanda also powerlifts competitively and pound for pound is just a great athlete.  It translates into her game because she may hit in the 6-7 spot in the lineup and a pitcher will look past her thinking they’ve gotten through the meat of the orrder.  And then boom – she pops one deep.  She’s another player that is used to playing on championship Sunday and she does not like to lose.  We will need her to solidify an already good infield when she gets here.  What I respect most about her is that she jumped up immediately into the 18 & Under level as a junior and it made her better.  She had a huge high school season and now all that experience is paying off with her club team.  I look forward to getting her here with all that confidence she has.”


Kiana McDowell (P/INF, Liberty, Mo.) put up impressive numbers both in the circle and at the plate. In her recently completed senior season, coming off an injury, she threw 99 innings with 77 strikeouts and a 2.40 ERA. A three-time Academic All-State honoree, McDowell hit .402 with a .717 slugging percentage and seven home runs.
Sewell on Kiana McDowell:
“Let’s just be honest, we stole this one.  Kiana is just an incredible add to our program.  One of the things we’ve been trying to do is make sure we have a couple of utility type players that can do anything – McDowell is exactly that.  She can pitch, hit, and play a corner or honestly anywhere if needed.  She plays with Knutson on one of the top clubs in the country and all they do is win.  I can’t say enough about having this talented of a hitting pitcher on our roster, it just allows us to use the lineup card so much better. Kiana is the type that comes in a gets outs with the defense and has a great change up.  With Kiana on board I’m excited to have 4 different looks on the mound.  There won’t be as much pressure on our pitchers to throw a complete game and be perfect.”

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