The Original Six :: Meet Tori Lettus
11/21/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 21, 2013
Tori Lettus, an infielder from Bothell, Wash., is one of six players Montana softball coach Jamie Pinkerton signed last week to a National Letter of Intent. Lettus and her five future teammates will go down in history as the initial group of players to commit to the Griz softball program.
Lettus at a glance
Position: Middle infield
Height: 5-6
Bat: Right
Throw: Right
Hometown: Bothell, Wash.
High school: Woodinville High
Club team: Washington Acers 18 Gold
What Coach Pinkerton saw: "Tori was the first kid to commit. Her dad is an alum, so she was pretty in tune with the traditions of the school and was really excited about coming on board.
"One thing she's going to bring to the table is a history of winning. She's in a pretty good high school program, and she comes out of good ASA programs. She's played for the Ladyhawks, the Sidewinders and now is with the Acers, so she's played with reputable travel teams.
"As with a lot of this class, Tori is versatile. The ability to move her around was pretty attractive and a real draw. She can play short, she can play second, she can play outfield. I'm looking for her to anchor down one of the two middle infield spots at this point.
"She has above-average speed and swings for a pretty decent average. She is probably more of a gap hitter, a singles and doubles hitter, but she can probably provide some occasional pop."
Accolades: Has a 3.88 GPA and will have five AP classes completed by graduation ... The starting shortstop on Woodinville High's team that went 25-3 last spring and finished fourth at the Class 4A state tournament ... Finished the season with a .456 batting average and .600 on-base percentage and led the team in runs to earn honorable-mention All-KingCo 4A honors ... On WHS's 26-0 team that won the 2012 Class 4A state title by outscoring its four state-tournament opponents 44-3 ... Played travel ball for the Washington Ladyhawks in 2012, the Northwest Sidewinders in 2013 and is now the starting shortstop for the Washington Acers ... Played for a Sidewinders team last summer that qualified for and played at the ASA national tournament in Sunnyvale, Calif.
Why Lettus signed: "I chose the University of Montana for several reasons. For academics, the school has just the right number of students and appears to have a great computer science department.
"For athletics, I really like the coaches, and I really like the opportunity to start an inaugural program.
"I was looking for a school that is located in the West and closer to my family, and I think the campus is beautiful.
"Family ties is the last reason and just as important. My father is a native of Montana and grew up there and attended UM in the 70s. My older sister graduated from Montana in 2007 and still lives in Missoula, and I have two aunts and uncles and several cousins who live in the Missoula area.
"When I start school next fall, it will feel like I'm coming home."
