LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University softball team has announced its recruiting class.
There are 11 players that make up LHU head coach Kelley Green’s class of 2013.
Green and Haven assistant Kelly Shannon are very excited about the future of the Lady Eagle softball program with this talented recruiting class.
“We are extremely pleased that these 11 sensational student-athletes will be joining our program next year. This is a special class that not only has exceptional talent, but each individual has a high level of passion for our sport and an extraordinary work ethic,” Green said. “With our solid core of returners and the addition of the 2013 class, the future of LHU Softball will be full of excitement and will provide a wonderful experience for our student-athletes on and off the field.”
The recruits:
Alicia Cacciotti: Horseheads, N.Y.
At Horseheads High School, Alicia has made a permanent mark as the school’s career batting average and doubles leader. Last season she had a .359 average with 32 RBI and two home runs. She has earned numerous honors during her career at Horseheads including, 2008 First Team ALL STAC West, Corning All-Leader Team and Fifth Team All New York State. Alicia is also a member of the N.Y. based TC Tremors travel softball squad.
Coach Green on Alicia: “We are looking forward to having Alicia in crimson and white next season. She will bring a strong presence to our line-up and behind the plate. We look forward to continuing the strong tradition of catchers here at LHU with Alicia!”
Taylor Wyatt: Gaithersburg, Md.
Taylor has been a huge impact for her Damascus High School team. This past spring she earned All-County Gazette Player of the Year honors and Washington Post All Extra POY with a .556 batting average, 35 RBI, six HR and 29 runs scored. Her team was also a Maryland 3A State Semifinalist. Taylor is a member of the Frederick (Md.) Heartbreakers ASA travel team.
Coach Green on Taylor: “Taylor has had a ton of success in her high school career. We look forward to her bringing that big game experience with her to The Haven. She is a versatile player who we are excited include in our line-up for the next four years.”
Alyssa Smith: Barrington, N.H.
Alyssa has been a two sport star at St. Thomas Aquinas in New Hampshire for the past three years. She had a .422 batting average with 14 RBI’s during her junior season for softball and captained both her 2008 softball and soccer squads. She has won a state championship in both softball and soccer during her career at St. Thomas Aquinas and has been a Foster’s Daily Democrat Dream Team Performer in both sports for each of her years played. Alyssa is a member of the N.H. Lady Hammerhead softball team.
Coach Green on Alyssa: “Alyssa has great athleticism and will bring a rare combination of speed and power to the left side of the plate. She has tremendous potential and we are glad she has chosen LHU to continue her career.”
Hailey Tretick: Round Hill, Va.
Hailey is a member of the Loudoun Valley Vikings high school softball team and the Ashburn Shooting Stars ASA organization. She had a batting average of .420 in high school with 24 RBI’s and 3 HR and a .411 batting average with 21 RBI’s and five HR during the summer of 2008 with the Shooting Stars.
Coach Green on Hailey: “Hailey has a great swing and excellent power at the plate. We believe she can make a big impact with her stick here at LHU!”
Bridgette Clarke: Bloomsburg, Pa.
Bridgette is a two-sport athlete at Central Columbia H.S. She is a three-time Mid-Penn performer for soccer and a Louisville Slugger All-Region Performer for softball. She posted a .548 batting average with 33 RBI and three HR to earn her the Press Enterprise MVP award this past season. She also captained her 2008 softball team. Bridgette spends her summer playing for the Williamsport Wicked Insanity.
Coach Green on Bridgette: “Bridgette is an athletic player who will bring lots of versatility to our program. She has lots of experience from the left side of the plate and we are excited to see her take her game to the next level.”
Sarah Morse: Barrington, N.H.
Sarah is a member of the Dover High School varsity softball team. She earned a .347 batting average with three HR in 2008. She is also their top pitcher throwing 140 innings with 174 K’s and a 1.25 ERA. She has captained her 2007 and 2008 squads while earning the MVP award in both those seasons. She has also earned All-State and Foster’s Democrat Dream Team honors. Sarah plays for the NH Lady Hammerhead softball team.
Coach Green on Sarah: “Sarah has raw power from the plate and the circle. She is a strong athlete who will be able to provide pop offensively and has potential to be an impact player in the circle.”
Brittany Favazza: Bel Air, Md.
Brittany plays softball and field hockey for C. Milton Wright High School. She led her 2008 squad with a .438 batting average, 18 RBI’s, and a .500 on base percentage. She was named All-Harford County Centerfield by the AEGIS and Baltimore Sun in 2007 and 2008. She was also named to the 2008 All-Metro Team by the Baltimore Sun. In 2006, she helped lead C. Milton Wright to a State Championship as well. She is a member of the Churchville Lightning ASA softball squad and led them with a .421 batting average, 31 RBI’s and 23 stolen bases.
Coach Green on Brittany: “Brittany is blessed with speed and tremendous athletic ability. She will help fill the holes left by our graduating speedsters. We are excited to have her ready to patrol our outfield for the next 4 years!”
Nicole Smith: Milton, Pa.
At Milton Area High School, Nicole has rewritten the record books. As a freshman, she led Milton to their first ever state play-off win. Since then, Nicole has earned the Daily Item POY 3 times, the SVL POY twice, and taken her 2008 squad to a runner-up finish in the State Championship. This past season she posted a .08 ERA and a .500 batting average. For her career she has 595 K’s in 405 innings, 63 RBI’s and nine HR. She is a member of the Milton Panthers ASA softball team.
Coach Green on Nicole: “Nicole has tremendous big game experience. She is pressure tested and always comes out strong. We are excited for her to join our staff as well as our line-up.”
Ariel Keidel: Stafford, Va.
Ariel plays for Brooke Point High School in Stafford, VA. She has posted a .95 ERA in 340 innings with 603 Ks over the past three seasons. She has earned First Team All-District and All-Area in each of her three seasons of play. She is also a member of the dominant ASA Shamrocks Softball organization based in Virginia.
Coach Green on Ariel: “Ariel is a power-pitcher who is excited to take her game to the next level. Her experience against some of the nation’s best competition has prepared her for the opportunity to make a big impact in our pitching rotation.”
Amanda Fernandez: Cheltenham, Pa.
As a member of the Nazareth Academy High School softball team, Amanda has posted a .490 career batting average with 95 RBI’s and four HR. She is a 1st Team All-Star in the Catholic Academies League for third base and pitcher. She helped lead her team to a conference championship in 2008 and a state playoff berth. Amanda played the 2008 summer softball season with the Blazing Angels organization posting a .400 batting average. She is currently a member of the Newtown Rock organization.
Coach Green on Amanda: “Amanda will bring great defensive prowess to our team at the hot corner. She is also a solid hitter who will bring strong consistency to our squad.”
Kelsey Mullins: Binghamton, N.Y.
Kelsey has been an impact player for her Susquehanna Valley CSD High School squad. She helped them to back-to-back State Championships in 2006 and 2007. In 2008 she posted a .423 batting average on her way to earning Fourth Team All NY State. She is also an accomplished swimmer at S.V., earning team MVP in 2008. Kelsey plays her summer softball with the Conklin Raiders organization and posted a .434 batting average this past season.
Coach Green on Kelsey: “Kelsey has great speed and triple threat potential on the left side of the plate. We are excited to see her further develop her skills here at LHU and believe her outfield expertise will fill much needed holes due to the graduation of our senior outfielders!”
This spring the Lady Eagles will be looking for their second NCAA Division II National Championship in four years. Last season The Haven finished third in the nation, after runner-up honors in 2007. Lock Haven brought home the National Championship in 2006 in Salem, Va., the site of the 2009 Division II Softball College World Series.
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