DETROIT (1/6/22) – The Detroit Mercy softball team has inked seven newcomers in Elyssa Adams, Alison Donaugh, Trinity Fessler, Rusti Glenn, Jenna Holt, Avery Paul and Ross Trotman to the 2021-22 recruiting class announced Head Coach Marc Gillis.
 
"I am very pleased overall with this group of newcomers which included a lot of interest from pitchers who want to come to Detroit Mercy, and that is a good thing," said Gillis.
 
"Additionally, Ross will join her sister Renee on the team while Rusti will follow in her sister Regan's footsteps who played for the Titans from 2017-21," added Gillis. "The goal is to win games, but it's good to know our players are enjoying their time here and encouraging their siblings to join the program."
 


Elyssa Adams – C/IF
Hometown: Deer Park, Ill.
High School: Lake Zurich
Club Team: Chicago Cheetahs
 
Highlights:
• 2021 North Suburban Conference Honorable Mention
• Named 2019 Offensive and Defensive Play of the Year
• Hit .298 with .380 OBS in 58 innings played during fall season. Had no passed balls and threw out six runners caught stealing
• Helped Cheetahs win two bids to the California PGF Tournament
 
Coach Gillis on Adams: "Elyssa has a high softball IQ and she works really well with her pitching staff."
 


Alison Donaugh - P
Hometown: Carey, Ohio
High School: Riverdale
Club Team: Ohio Stingrays
 
Highlights:
• 2021 All-Blanchard Valley Conference (BVC) First Team selection, named Cy Young Player of the Year and Division 3 Second Team selection while the leading the team in RBI
• Set Riverdale season school records in homeruns, RBI, hits, triples, pitching wins and strikeouts
• 2019 All-BVC First Team and Top Pitcher selection
 
Coach Gillis on Donaugh: "Alison has come a long way the last few years as a pitcher and we think she will continue to improve."
 


Trinity Fessler - C
Hometown: Vassar, Mich.
High School: Millington
Club Team: Millington Cardinals 03' Travel
 
Highlights:
• 2021 Tri-Valley West All-Conference and All-State selection and named team MVP
• 2019 Academic All-State selection while helping Millington win a state championship
• Set Millington season school record for doubles (20) while hitting .450 at the plate
 
Coach Gillis on Fessler: "Trinity is another catcher we added with a high softball IQ who has enjoyed a lot of winning and success at the high school level."
 


Rusti Glenn - Utility
Hometown: Fort Mohave, Ariz.
High School: River Valley
Previous School: Mohave Community College
Club Team: AZ Bombers-Williams
 
Highlights:
• 2020-21 First Team All-Region, Second Team All-State and All-Academic Team selection and named Scholar Athlete of the Year,
• Helped River Valley to 2A West Region Conference and 2A West Region State Championship
• 2018-19 regional honorable mention and helped lead team to 3A Conference championship
• Has career .363 average, .470 OBP and .902 fielding percentage through 55 career games
• Helped AZ Bombers-Williams to third place finish at USSSA Nationals and top-5 finish at AFA Southwest Nationals
 
Coach Gillis on Glenn: "Rusti can play just about anywhere and possesses a tremendous work ethic just like her sister Regan."



Jenna Holt - OF
Hometown: Algonac, Mich.
High School: Regina
Club Team: Finesse
 
Highlights:
• 2021 first-team all-state and All-Catholic League selection hitting over .500 on the season while helping Regina to district championship
• Helped lead Regina to 2019 Division I State Championship and Catholic League championship, also scored the winning run in the semifinal vs Bay City Western and in the final vs Howell
• Hit .506 with a .765 slugging percentage, .779 on-base percentage and .941 fielding percentage as a junior
 
Coach Gillis on Holt: "Jenna can fly and is really fast. She is a very good outfielder who gets a good jump on fly balls."
 


Avery Paul – P/IF
Hometown: St. Clair, Mich.
High School: St. Clair
Club Team: Turnin2
 
Highlights:
• Named to MAC Red All-Academic Team as a junior
• Hit .526 while recoding 132 strikeouts on the season
• Helped St. Clair to regional runner-up finish
• Member of 14U Little League state championship team
 
Coach Gillis on Paul: "A variety of injuries kept Avery under the radar. She is very strong and has been looking better all the time since shaking off the injuries."
 


Ross Trotman - P/Utility
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
High School: Donald A. Wilson
Club Team: Finesse
 
Highlights:
• Helped Donald A. Wilson to Lake Ontario Secondary School Athletics (LOSSA) gold finish in 2018 and silver finish in 2019
• Two-time All-Canadian Top Player selection in 2017 and 2018
• Helped Finesse to runner-up finish at 16U USSSA Nationals
 
Coach Gillis on Trotman: "Ross is very versatile and could fill a variety of roles for us."

The Titans open the 2022 campaign with four games at the PC Invitational on Sat.-Sun., Feb. 19-20.