DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University softball coach Christina Sutcliffe announced the addition of eight signees to the 2019 team Monday.
 
"We feel our program has signed some of the best talent in the country with this class," said Sutcliffe, who enters her seventh season at the helm of the Huskie Softball program. "They have an overall competitive spirit about them that will blend nicely into our program. We are excited for next year and the future of Huskie softball."
 
The eight new Huskies hail from five different states with half the signees – Sam Maallinder, Delaney Ostrowski, Isabel Smith and Kelly Walinski – coming from Illinois. Dayton Elliot comes to NIU from neighboring Indiana, while Megan Guericke, Hannah Hickstein and Kenny Litana are from South Dakota, Nevada and California, respectively.
 
Dayton Elliot (Munster, Ind. / Munster) • P
- 2016 Freshman of the Year
- Two-time varsity letter winner
- Member of the 2016 & 2017 Northwest Crossroads Conference Championship team
- Led the conference in no-hitters in 2017
- Member of the Chicago Cheetahs 18U softball
- 2018 Triple Crown Super 72 NIT and 2018 Jim Did Tournament Champions
 
Sutcliffe on Elliot
"Dayton will bring an intensity to the mound that will escalate our battery. She comes to us from the Chicago Cheetahs with an ability to keep hitters off balance due to her repertoire of pitches. We are excited about her loyalty and desire to be a Huskie. Her determination for success shines through."
 
Megan Guericke (Alexandria, S.D./ Hanson) • SS/3B
- Member of the South Dakota Renegades 2016-18
- Renegades placed second in PGF nationals in 2016, 11th in 2017, 13th in 2018
- Played volleyball and basketball in high school
 
Sutcliffe on Guericke
"Megan comes to us with championship blood. She has competed for a national championship with the SD Renegades and we look for her to bring that experience to DeKalb. Megan will instantly make the left side of our defense better with her athletic ability and competitive spirit."
 
Hannah Hickstein (Las Vegas, Nev. / Arbor View) • C
- Three-time varsity letter winner
- Received an offensive reward for sophomore and junior seasons
- Team captain for the 2018 and 2019 seasons
- Member of the Lil' Rebels RC
 
Sutcliffe on Hickstein
"We have watched Hannah develop over the last four years into one of the premier catchers in the country playing for the Las Vegas Lil Rebels. Hannah has worked her way through adversity to become an elite athlete with an incredibly strong arm and ability to command the field."
 
Sam Mallinder (Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield North) • UTL
- Member of the New Lenox Lighting the last three years
- Lighting placed seventh in PGF Nationals
- First-team all-conference, second-team all-area, and third-team all-state in 2018
 
Sutcliffe on Mallinder
"Sam's versatility is something that is rare with the ability to play almost every position on the field that will provide depth for us. She has competed nationally for the New Lenox Lightning for several years. Sam loves the game and will do anything with a positive energy that spreads throughout a program."
 
Kenneth (Kenny) Litana (Riverside, Calif. / Martin Luther King) • MIF
- Three-time varsity letter winner
- CIF finalist 2018 season
- 2019 Team captain
- Member of Athletics Mercado/ Quinn; placed first in 2018 Elite Power Pool Tournament
 
Sutcliffe on Litana
"Kenny will continue to provide depth in our middle infield. She has competed nationally for the SoCal Athletics for many years. Kenny's hands and athleticism defensively are something that can't be taught. She has a sense for the game that we can't wait to bring to the program and develop."
 
Delaney Ostrowski (Geneseo, Ill. / Geneseo) • P
- Member of regional championship team in 2015, two-time regional runner ups in 2016 & 2017
- First-team all-conference, first-team all-area, second-team all-state, offensive MVP for Geneseo in 2018
- Two years at 16U Quad City Lady Hitmen / Texas Glory
- Honorable Mention all-area in 2017
 
Sutcliffe on Ostrowski
"Delaney is a Huskie legecy. She is the third in her family to attend NIU and no one loves our school more than her. Delaney is a competitor on the mound and will look to instantly earn innings in the circle. Her experience with the IL Glory and New Lenox Lightning will bring a mind for the game to our program."
 
Isabel (Izzy) Smith (Elmhurst, Ill. / York) • Corner
- 2019 team captain
- Three-time varsity letter winner
- All-conference selection two years in a row (2017 & 2018 seasons)
- Third-team all-state in 2018
- Member of the Wasco Diamonds 2017-19
 
Sutcliffe on Smith
"Izzy has an infectious personality and always plays with a smile. Coming from the Wasco Diamonds we know she will be a smart player. Izzy has grown up in our camps so will come to NIU knowing our systems. She will look to break into our lineup on the corners, also providing some power in our offensive lineup."
 
Kelly Walinski (Worth, Ill. / Marist) • INF
- Two-time varsity letter winner
 - First-team all-area, third-team all-state in 2018 
- Competed on Sparks Softball team in 2018 and placed 17^th in the nation
- Broke Marist High School record of home runs in a game with three
 
Sutcliffe on Walinski
"Kelly has grown up playing for the Orland Park Sparks. She will compete for time on the infield. We are looking forward to her work ethic and desire to get better every day. Kel brings an energy and personality that will light up a field. She also has a burning desire to win and is destined for success."
 
-NIU-