DETROIT (1/7/2021) -- The University of Detroit Mercy softball team is looking to get ready for its spring campaign, but the Titans have not stopped looking ahead to continue to build their program as head coach Marc Gillis has announced the signing of Arizona star Chloe Hibbard and local standout Jaiden Lara to National Letters of Intent.

Chloe Hibbard * P * Mohave Valley, Ariz. * River Valley

• A letterwinner in soccer and softball
• Named the 3A First Team All-Region Player of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019
• Went 16-6 with a 2.32 ERA, eight shutouts, one no-hitter and 188 strikeouts as a pitcher, while hitting .481 with 19 RBI, 12 runs scored, 10 doubles and a homer
• Tabbed First Team All-Region and All-State in 2018 after posting a 7-3 record with a 1.09 ERA, five shutouts and a no-hitter and batting .436 with 12 runs and 12 RBI
• Also earned the Scholar-Athlete Award in 2019
• Played club with AZ Bombers-Williams

Coach Gillis on Hibbard - "Chloe came on strong and showed a lot of improvement over the summer, which enabled her to enjoy a successful season while playing some good competition. She spins the ball well and is an extremely hard worker. We really like her work ethic and her desire to get better, two things essential to being a successful pitcher."

Jaiden Lara * 1B * Clinton Township, MI * Fraser

• Earned three varsity letters and was the Team MVP as a freshman and sophomore
• Selected All-District and All-Conference twice as well as All-County Third Team as a freshman and Second Team as a sophomore
• Holds her school's record for career strikeouts (188), home runs (24) and RBI (103) as well as single-season marks with 15 homers and 60 RBI while hitting .440 as a freshman with 163 strikeouts and hitting .476 as a sophomore
• Played club with Finesse Fastpitch 

Coach Gillis on Lara - "We are very excited to sign a player of Jaiden's caliber. She is strong and has a lot of power. She turned a lot of heads at our camp when she hit some of the longest homers we have seen at our field. In addition to being strong, she has very quick hands. She can even pitch some, but, we are most excited about adding her power to our lineup."

The Titans -- the defending Horizon League champions of 2019 -- are expected to be back in action this spring and a schedule will be announced in the near future.