Transfers bolster Wahine softball roster

With the additions of six freshmen and five transfers, newcomers make up nearly half of the Rainbow Wahine softball team’s 24-player roster going into fall practice.

The Wahine signed six freshmen last fall in catcher/shortstop Callee Heen, infielders Laura Jaquez, Chardonnay Pantastico and Angelique “Cheeks” Ramos, outfielder Bree Soma and right-handed pitcher Briana Wheeler.

The summer additions include two Division I transfers in outfielder Danielle Garcielita (North Carolina) and Justine Garner (Santa Clara). Garcielita is projected to compete in center field with Soma and JC transfer Jordian Hicks. Garner and Heen join sophomore Heather Cameron in the competition at catcher.

Wheeler and transfer Dana Thomsen add depth to a pitching staff headlined by senior Kanani Aina Cabrales and junior Brittany Hitchcock.

The freshmen were announced just about a year ago, here’s a quick look at the transfers as the Wahine head toward fall practice starting Oct. 10.

Danielle Garcielita, OF (North Carolina) — Played in 47 games and started 11 last season. Hit .214 with two RBIs and three stolen bases. … Was primarily a pinch-runner and scored 17 runs in UNC’s 32-25 season. … Made 21 starts in 45 appearances and scored 18 runs as a freshman. … Stole six bases in 10 attempts in her two seasons at UNC. … Graduated from La Serna High School in Whitter, Calif.

Justine Garner, UTL (Santa Clara) — All-West Coast Conference honorable mention pick last season after hitting .264 with a team-high five home runs and 21 RBIs. … Finished second on the team in 20 doubles.… Started all 51 games, primarily in right field. … Played in 25 games with 13 starts as a freshman coming out of Roseville High School.

Jordian Hicks, OF (Santiago Canyon College) — Hit .373 in the leadoff spot with eight doubles and four triples and drove in 21 runs while helping SCC (41-9) capture the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship last season. … Ranked second in the Orange Empire Conference with 32 stolen bases while being caught four times.… Struck out three times in 193 plate appearances. … hit .408 with 19 stolen bases as a freshman. … Listed as “Jordaen” on SCC’s roster, but given name is “Jordian” (pronounced Jordan).

Dana Thomsen, P (Santa Rosa Junior College) —  Appeared in 31 of Santa Rosa’s 40 games in 2015 and finished 17-11 with a 2.08 earned-run average. … Struck out 239 and walked 31 in 178 innings that season. … Finished 15-4 in 25 appearances with a 2.73 ERA as a freshman. Struck out 83, walked 17 in 97 1/3 innings. … Went 17-1 with a 0.71 ERA with 145 strikeouts for Petaluma High School in 2013 and was named Large School Player of the Year by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.

Tammy Viliamu, UTL (Midwestern State) — Waipahu graduate will redshirt this year and play her senior season in 2018. … Began her career at Midland College and played at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas last season. … Started 34 games at shortstop and hit .231 with two home runs a nd 16 RBIs. … Hit .387 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs as a sophomore at Midland College. … Named to the NJCAA Region V all-region first team.

The newcomers help restock a roster that lost five seniors last season. Rachel Lack, who began last season as UH’s starting catcher, returned to Australia after the spring semester. Breanna Ojala, who started 45 games at shortstop last season, also did not return this year. Jaquez and Ramos are slated to compete at shortstop to begin the fall.