Bellevue University head softball coach Michala Cimino announced the signing of 5-8 pitcher Mariah Unverzagt (Papillion, Neb./ Johnson Country CC/Papillion-LaVists South HS) to a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic careers at BU beginning in the fall of 2024.
Unverzagt, the daughter of Mark and Ginger Unverzagt, played one season at Johnson Country Community College, where she earned honorable mention all-Jayhawk Conference honors during her freshman campaign. She was named the league's pitcher of the week three times during the 2024 season.
Unverzagt, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, appeared in 18 games as a freshman at JCCC with 12 starts. She compiled a 10-3 record with a 3.53 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 77.1 innings pitched. She walked just 16 batters on the season, which ranked as the fourth fewest in a season in school history.
Unverzagt was a four-year starter for coach Tom Horton at Papillion La Vista South High School. She helped the Titans to back-to-back District championships in 2021 and 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2020. Unverzagt batted .398 during her prep career with three home runs, five doubles, and 24 RBIs.
An excellent student, she earned academic all-state honors and was named to the PLSHS's honor roll all four years while earning Magna Cum Laude honors.
Unverzagt joins earlier signee, infielder Kaitlyn Fisher (Omaha, Neb./Millard West HS) in the 2024-25 recruiting class.
The Bruins wrapped up the 2024 season with an overall record of 34-22 and a 19-3 mark in conference play, winning the North Star Athletic Association regular season title while finishing second in the NSAA post-season tournament. Bellevue advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the 11th time in school history.
