MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University softball has signed Ashley Hill to a National Letter of Intent to join the Beavers next season, head coach Bill Triplett released Wednesday.

Hill, a 5-foot-7 right-handed hitting first baseman who can also play catcher and third base from Mesa, comes to Minot State after a solid prep and club career at two of the most decorated teams in Arizona, Red Mountain High School and the Arizona Hotshots.

"We really liked Ashley when we saw her play in Colorado this summer. She has great power and uses the whole field," Triplett said. "When she came up on her visit, we saw more of the same and after getting to know her, we felt she will fit in with our current group. Her high school team won four straight titles and comes from one of the top club programs in the nation. We feel fortunate to get a player of this caliber."

Hill hit .397 as a junior for Red Mountain, tying for the team lead in hits (50) and runs batted in (41), and earned All-Mesa City first team and All-Tribune second team honors. As a sophomore, she was an All-Mesa City first team selection leading the team in RBIs with 44. She helped Red Mountain to the past two Arizona state titles as she earned varsity letters as a sophomore and junior.

"We don't necessarily need a first baseman, but decided to recruit her because she is that good," Triplett said.

Along with her prep accolades, Hill has helped her 16U team take 17th place at the Premier Nationals in 2012.

Hill is the Beavers first recruit of the season and Triplett indicated Minot State will look to sign only a couple more this year.

"We are looking for a pitcher and probably just a middle infielder at this point," he said.

Minot State is coming off its most successful season in school history, advancing to the NCAA Division II Central Regional. The Beavers were 41-11 – a school record for wins in a season – and were 18-6 in their first season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.