Berg adds Four to 2019 Class
November 15, 2018 | Softball
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State University softball program announced the addition of four new members to the 2019 signing class on Wednesday. Among the four are two from California, one from Oregon and one from Canada.
"I'm very excited about this incoming class," said head coach Laura Berg. "It's a small class but very athletic."
Grace Gaither – SS/2B, Fr., Grants Pass, Ore. (Grants Pass H.S.)
A Third-Team All-State player following her freshman year, Gaither added numerous honors throughout her time at Grants Pass H.S. that she will bring to Oregon State. Gaither was a two-time First-Team All-League player following both her freshman and junior years. Following her junior season, the Southwest Conference named Gaither the All-Conference Player of the Year.
According to Berg: "Grace has a savvy approach to the game that you can't teach. She is a local player, and I can't wait for her to wear the black and orange."
The daughter of Jennifer and Mark, Gaither intends to major in pre-med at Oregon State to become a NICU nurse.
Grace Messmer – SS/3B, Fr., Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada (Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary)
A two-time Provincial and Canada Cup National Champion, Messmer comes to Oregon State with international playing experience. Messmer was a member of the 2017 Junior National Canadian Team that played in Florida. Messmer was also a member of the 2016 Champions Team and named the 2017 Player of the Year.
According to Berg: "Grace brings international experience from both the Junior Canadian team and the Senior team. She has great range and a strong arm. The international experience will be something she can share with her teammates and help her take her play to the next level while at OSU."
The daughter of Tracy and Jeff, Messmer intends to major in business at Oregon State.
Ivana Perez – OF, Fr., La Habra, Calif. (Troy H.S.)
A two-time First-Team All-League and one-year Second-Team selection, Perez joins the Beavers with a lengthy resume coming from Troy H.S. and her club teams. Perez has been named the Offensive Player of the Year while a junior to add to the Most-Valuable Player nod she received as a sophomore and Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman. Perez also played in the PGF National Tournament from 2014-2017, earning a third-place finish in 2017. In addition, Perez was chosen for the 2015 and 2016 All-Star Game held in Colorado.
According to Berg: "Ivana has great range, a strong arm and is a leader in the outfield. I've enjoyed watching her play that last few years and can't wait to work with her when she gets here."
The daughter of Maria and Armando, Perez is undecided on her major as she attends Oregon State.
Valeria Pero – C, Fr., San Diego, Calif. (Del Norte H.S.)
A member of the OC Batbusters who played in the PFG National Championship, Pero looks to continue her success as she becomes a Beaver. While at Del Norte, Pero was a First-Team All-League selection and was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the past two years. Pero also broke the school record for most homeruns in four years in only one season.
According to Berg: "Val is a catcher with a strong arm. She frames the ball extremely well and can hit for power. She brings a lot of leadership behind the plate."
The daughter of Diana Foust and John Bernhard, Pero intents to major in political science at OSU to become a lawyer.
"All four of these girls will be a great addition to our team and Beaver Nation next season," said Berg.
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
"I'm very excited about this incoming class," said head coach Laura Berg. "It's a small class but very athletic."
Grace Gaither – SS/2B, Fr., Grants Pass, Ore. (Grants Pass H.S.)
A Third-Team All-State player following her freshman year, Gaither added numerous honors throughout her time at Grants Pass H.S. that she will bring to Oregon State. Gaither was a two-time First-Team All-League player following both her freshman and junior years. Following her junior season, the Southwest Conference named Gaither the All-Conference Player of the Year.
According to Berg: "Grace has a savvy approach to the game that you can't teach. She is a local player, and I can't wait for her to wear the black and orange."
The daughter of Jennifer and Mark, Gaither intends to major in pre-med at Oregon State to become a NICU nurse.
Grace Messmer – SS/3B, Fr., Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada (Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary)
A two-time Provincial and Canada Cup National Champion, Messmer comes to Oregon State with international playing experience. Messmer was a member of the 2017 Junior National Canadian Team that played in Florida. Messmer was also a member of the 2016 Champions Team and named the 2017 Player of the Year.
According to Berg: "Grace brings international experience from both the Junior Canadian team and the Senior team. She has great range and a strong arm. The international experience will be something she can share with her teammates and help her take her play to the next level while at OSU."
The daughter of Tracy and Jeff, Messmer intends to major in business at Oregon State.
Ivana Perez – OF, Fr., La Habra, Calif. (Troy H.S.)
A two-time First-Team All-League and one-year Second-Team selection, Perez joins the Beavers with a lengthy resume coming from Troy H.S. and her club teams. Perez has been named the Offensive Player of the Year while a junior to add to the Most-Valuable Player nod she received as a sophomore and Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman. Perez also played in the PGF National Tournament from 2014-2017, earning a third-place finish in 2017. In addition, Perez was chosen for the 2015 and 2016 All-Star Game held in Colorado.
According to Berg: "Ivana has great range, a strong arm and is a leader in the outfield. I've enjoyed watching her play that last few years and can't wait to work with her when she gets here."
The daughter of Maria and Armando, Perez is undecided on her major as she attends Oregon State.
Valeria Pero – C, Fr., San Diego, Calif. (Del Norte H.S.)
A member of the OC Batbusters who played in the PFG National Championship, Pero looks to continue her success as she becomes a Beaver. While at Del Norte, Pero was a First-Team All-League selection and was named the team's Most Valuable Player for the past two years. Pero also broke the school record for most homeruns in four years in only one season.
According to Berg: "Val is a catcher with a strong arm. She frames the ball extremely well and can hit for power. She brings a lot of leadership behind the plate."
The daughter of Diana Foust and John Bernhard, Pero intents to major in political science at OSU to become a lawyer.
"All four of these girls will be a great addition to our team and Beaver Nation next season," said Berg.
For more information on the Oregon State softball team, visit OSUBeavers.com or follow the team @BeaverSoftball on Twitter and Instagram.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
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