Watch: NDSU Softball Coach Darren Mueller Discusses National Signing Day additions

Bison softball adds three players to the upcoming class

FARGO, N.D. (NDSU Athletics) — North Dakota State University head softball coach Darren Mueller announced Wednesday, Nov. 8, that pitcher Paige Vargas (Mission Viejo, Calif. / Santa Margarita Catholic H.S.), catcher-outfielder Avery Wysong (Beaver Creek, Minn./Hills-Beaver Creek H.S.) and middle infielder Nicole Licea (Corona,Calif. / Hillcrest H.S.) have all signed National Letters of Intent to attend NDSU and play softball beginning in the fall of 2018.

PAIGE VARGAS, 5-5, Pitcher, Bats right, Throws right, Mission Viejo, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic H.S.)

HIGH SCHOOL: Enters her senior year with a 46-17 record including 19 shutouts … First team All-CIF Southern Section Division I and Cal-Hi Sports All-State second team pitcher after putting together 20-6 record with 10 shutouts … Also hit .337 with two home runs, 11 doubles and 25 runs batted in … First team OC Sidelines All-Trinity League and OC Sidelines All-Orange County, and second team OC Register All-Orange County … Compiled 17-8 record as a sophomore with nine shutouts … Set school record with 17 strikeouts in regulation game … Earned first team All-CIF Southern Section Division I  honors, and named to Cal-Hi Sports All-State Softball second team pitcher … First team All-Trinity League … Second team OC Sidelines and OC Register All-County … Only freshman to make varsity and letter, putting together a 9-3 record … Honorable mention All-Trinity League.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Alex and Lynette Vargas … Cousin, Madyson Cassidy, played volleyball at Occidental College.

AVERY WYSONG, 5-8, Catcher/Outfielder, Bats Right, Throws Right, Beaver Creek, Minn. (Hills-Beaver Creek H.S.)

HIGH SCHOOL: Played catcher and third base for Eden Prairie High School and head coach Dan Rubischko from 7th to 9th grade … All-conference selection  … Played summer league for the Minnesota Renegades, Midwest Speed and the South Dakota Renegades over a seven-year period … Member of numerous state championship and national tournament teams including a pair of top 10 PGF national tournament finishes … Setter for Hills-Beaver Creek volleyball team, which won a pair of conference championships … Surpassed 1,000 assists in career.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Blake and Denise Wysong … Has one brother, Gavin.

NICOLE LICEA, Middle Infielder, Bats Left, Throws Right, Corona, Calif. (Hillcrest H.S.)

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-time all-conference shortstop for Hillcrest High School and head coach Tony Carvajal … Hit .474 with 46 base hits, 33 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 10 doubles during the 2017 season … Led team to Hillcrest’s first-ever CIF appearance … Played second, shortstop and outfield in summer league for the Courage and head coach Craig Weaver over five years … The Courage qualified for nationals all five years including the 2014 PGF Platinum National Championship.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Arturo and Gabriela Licea … Has two sisters, Katelyn and Alyssa.

North Dakota State finished the season with a 29-33 record overall. The Bison won their fourth straight and eighth Summit League tournament championship overall to advance to the NCAA tournament. NDSU knocked off eventual national champion Oklahoma 3-2 in nine innings in the NCAA Norman Regional opener.