Updates

Sorry for the dearth of updates lately...

If anyone would like to help out with postings please send an email to atlantic10softball@gmail.com
Otherwise expect postings once or twice a week until January.

Back to softball news:

Coaching
Fordham has hired Kyle Jamieson as its new assistant coach. Jamieson is an accomplished coach, who knows how to both win and develop talent. Coach Bridget Orchard made an outstanding hire and it is easy to see this hire paying dividends right away.

St. Louis has hired Pat Kies and Sarah Clynes as assistants. Clynes was an outstanding player for UIC, both in the circle and at the plate, so she will be able to help the Billikens in all aspects of the game. Kies comes to St. Louis from UMKC, which just had one of its best seasons in school history. Kies has proven he can help out a program and Coach Christy Connoyer is excited to have him on board. Both these young assistants should play a big role in shaping Billiken softball.

Former Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and St. Joe's great Brooke Darreff has joined Temple's staff as a graduate assistant. Coach DiPietro has definitely added a good one to his program.

Roster updates
Temple has picked up former USF Bull ace Capri Catalano. Catalano was the Big East Freshman of the Year in 2008, going 17-1 her freshman year with a 1.40 ERA and 176 SO in 129.2 IP. She then lost her entire sophomore season due to injury and is still looking to regain the form of her freshman season. In 2010, she was 3-5 with a 3.78 ERA and 50 SO in 50 IP and last season she went 2-3 with a 3.62 ERA and 31 SO in 38.2 IP. She will be a true shutdown pitcher for the Owls and if she can return to her freshman year form...let's just say it will be a very exciting year in the A10.

Freshmen:
Here are some freshmen that the blog missed.
Erica Willis, an outfielder for Fordham
Natalie Mariano, an outfielder for Dayton
Traneya White, an outfielder for St. Joseph's
Taylor McGorry, an infielder for St. Joseph's

Commitments

Carlee Gray

George Washington has picked up a verbal from Carlee Gray of the Cal Breeze travel team and Elk Grove HS. Gray swings a powerful bats and she can play either corner infield position. Elk Grove has been one of the top high school programs in the country producing numerous college players. Gray is an outstanding pickup and Coach Stacey Schramm has really put together an outstanding 2012 recruiting class.

If you have knowledge of any commitments please email atlantic10softball@gmail.com








Scheduling news
The NFCA Leadoff Classic has released its schedule and the teams participating in the tournament. UMass will be attending the tournament along with Boston University, DePaul, Georgia Tech, Hofstra, Illinois, Illinois State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Michigan, Mississippi State, Tennessee, USF, and Winthrop. The Minutewomen will be facing Tennessee, Michigan, DePaul, Illinois, and Georgia Tech at the tournament. It will be a very tough stretch of games, but it will definitely pay dividends come tournament time.

The USF Under Armour Showcase has released its schedule and Fordham will be playing Wisconsin-Green Bay, Cleveland State, Rutgers, Northern Iowa, and Western Michigan, while Temple will be playing Central Michigan, Cleveland State, East Tennessee State, Western Michigan, and Wisconsin-Green Bay. In addition, both Fordham and Temple will have exhibitions against the Dutch National team.

The USF Tournament on March 16-18 has also released its schedule and UMass will be playing UNC Wilmington, Northern Colorado, Chattanooga, Illinois, and Florida Gulf Coast.

And finally fall ball starts this weekend for A10 teams, so please send in scores, pictures, etc. and they will be posted.