Catcher Emma Burns Joins Orange

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Former University of Minnesota catcher Emma Burns has signed a grant-in-aid and will join the Syracuse softball program, head coach Shannon Doepking announced Friday. The Rapid City, South Dakota native will be a redshirt sophomore for the 2021 season.

"I'm thrilled to be able to add a player with Emma's level of talent," Doepking said. "The role of a catcher is one of the most important positions on the field and to know she has done it at the highest level in the World Series is invaluable. While we know we are adding a tremendous ball player, we are even more excited to add the person. Emma understands her role and what the expectations are for being apart of our culture and she made her decision to come to Syracuse because of that. That's even more exciting than the athletic abilities."

Burns was the starting catcher for the Gophers in 2019, starting 47 of the team's 60 games as a freshman. She hit seven home runs and drove in 20 runs while batting for a .224 average. Her play behind the plate was stellar, as she helped Minnesota record its lowest stolen base-against percentage in program history (.606) and caught 11 runners stealing. Burns started in the 2019 Women's College World Series, scoring two runs in a loss against Washington.

Prior to her time in Minneapolis, Burns was a five-time softball letterwinner at Stevens High School and earned All-State honors in 2015, 2016 and 2017. She was also a three-time letterwinner in basketball and a two-time letterwinner in track and field for the Raiders. Burns also played club softball for the Rapid City Swat (2012-17) and South Dakota United (2017).

Syracuse finished the shortened 2020 season with a 10-10 record, including a 2-1 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play.

For continued coverage of Syracuse Softball, follow us on Twitter (@CuseSB), Instagram (cusesb) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse University Softball).

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos