Dayton adds Sydney Cicchetti

After having their best season in over 10 years, the Dayton Flyers are poised to be even better in 2012. Coach Cara LaPlaca announced the addition of Sydney Cicchetti to Dayton in 2012. Cicchetti is a pitcher who has played for Seward Community College in Kansas for the past two seasons. Cicchetti is said to be a hard thrower and she could really complete the Flyers' staff for next season.

Next year Dayton will feature four pitchers in the circle: Alysha Isaacson, Sarah Wedel, Cicchetti, and Kayla English. Dayton will have the depth in the circle to really challenge for the A10 title and it is clear that this program is moving in the right direction.

Cicchetti is the first Canadian pitcher since Kaila Holtz played at UMass. Holtz pitched for the 2004 Canadian Olympic team and she was named A10 Pitcher of the Year twice in her career. Cicchetti will look to uphold the legacy of Canadian pitchers.

Kelsi Seidlitz and Amanda Daly will not be playing next year for Dayton

News and notes

St. Louis coach Christy Connoyer recaps the Billikens' season

Patch.com writes about the impact that Samantha Schoell is making on the Temple squad

The Brakettes have released their preliminary roster, which includes three UMass alums: Carly Normandin, Denise Denis, and Brandice Balschmiter. Over the coming weeks more A10 players should appear on the roster.

Former Charlotte Pitchers are Playing Softball in Europe this Summer!

Emily Jeffery

Charlotte's Katy Hackett and Emily Jeffery will be headed to Europe this summer to play softball. Playing softball in Europe is an amazing experience and it brings some nice exposure for Charlotte as well. Jeffery was a dominating pitcher for the 49ers dominating batters with her speed and movement en route to becoming Charlotte's single season and career leader in SO. Jeffery will go down as one of the all time greats in both A10 and Charlotte history and she really helped elevate the Charlotte program to a whole other level. Jeffery will be playing in Belgium this summer and she should make her team an instant favorite. Jeffery can control a game from the circle and European hitters are going to have a tough time hitting against her.

Katy Hackett just wrapped up her senior season at Charlotte and she was spectacular in her final season at DL Phillips Softball Complex. Hackett has been a force in the circle over her career for the 49ers thanks in large part to a knee-buckling changeup. That changeup befuddled hitters for 4 years, especially at the 2011 Atlantic 10 Tournament. Hackett had all of the pitches in the circle, but what really set her apart from other pitchers was her toughness. When she had no room for error with her pitches it seemed like she was at her best. Coach Aimee DeVos and the 49ers are going to miss her presence in the circle. This summer, Katy Hackett will be playing for the Wesseling Vermins in Germany. Germany features some pretty good teams, most notably the Mannheim Tornados, so she will be put to the test, but with the way she is throwing opponents better watch out. The Vermins are going to be a tough team to beat with Hackett in the circle.

Katy Hackett

Best of luck to Emily Jeffery and Katy Hackett in Europe! It should be the experience of a lifetime and they have definitely made both Charlotte and the A10 proud.

Recruit to watch: Monica Macchiarulo

Monica Macchiarulo

Although she is just a sophomore in high school, Monica Macchiarulo has already attracted the attention of quite a few programs. Macchiarulo is a left handed hitting outfielder from Newtown, Connecticut, which is right the heart of A10 recruiting territory. Macchiarulo even caught the attention of the coaches of the Stratford Brakettes last summer and played in two games for the Brakettes. The Brakettes have numerous Atlantic 10 ties including Lindsey Kay Bright of Fordham, Erin Gallagher of St. Joseph's, Christine Della Vecchia, Sara Plourde, and five alums from UMass. Macchiarulo hit .400 for the Brakettes and scored 2 runs for the Northeast powerhouse. Hopefully they will ask her back again this year because she can play.

Being from Connecticut, Macchiarulo is going to be highly sought after by both UMass and Fordham. St. Joseph's and Rhode Island also figure to make a run at the talented young outfielder as well. This is going to be one of the more intense recruiting battles in A10 history, if Macchiarulo keeps developing. Hofstra and UConn also figure to make charges at her as well, but the A10 schools are in much better shape at the moment.

One more thing: Monica has a younger sister Morgan who might be just as good. If you get one Macchiarulo, you might also get a second

Jen Mineau has been invited to try out for the US National Team!

After another outstanding season for Fordham, Jen Mineau will be taking her talents to the next level by trying out for the US National Softball Team. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and there is no doubt that she will take full advantage of it. Mineau is one of the best pitchers in the country and it is nice to see that the rest of the country is taking notice. Perhaps the most remarkable thing of all is that Mineau is just one of three players that do not come from a BCS school.

Regardless of whether she makes the team or not (though she deserves to make it) Mineau has represented the conference well and she will be a better pitcher because of it. This is a great moment for Fordham and Coach Bridget Orchard. Mineau is the 1st Atlantic 10 Player to try out since Brandice Balschmiter did in 2009. Mineau has become well known around the country due to her performances against top teams, which is exactly why teams should schedule tough games.

Jen Mineau

Atlantic 10 All Conference Teams

Since blogger finally decided to make this post reappear...

Atlantic 10 Player of the Year: Jocelyn Dearborn, Fordham

Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year: Sara Plourde, UMass

Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year: Stephanie Pasquale, Temple

Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year: Bridget Orchard, Fordham



Atlantic 10 1st Team

P Jen Mineau, Fordham

P Sara Plourde, UMass

C Tenaya Tucker, Charlotte

1B Maureen Wells, St. Bonaventure

2B Bernadette Moran, St. Joseph's

3B Jocelyn Dearborn, Fordham

SS Samantha Pellechio, Fordham

OF Kristin Nicoletti, St. Louis

OF Briana Gwaltney, Charlotte

OF Dana Parks, St. Joseph's

DP Lauren Nacke, Dayton



Atlantic 10 2nd Team

P Katy Hackett, Charlotte

P Erin Gallagher, St. Joseph's

C Stephanie Pasquale, Temple

1B Jamie LaBovick, Fordham

2B Rachel Knable, Temple

3B Monica Aguilar, St. Joseph's

SS Sarah Prezioso, Temple

OF Kathleen Maloof, Dayton

OF Whitney Williams, Charlotte

OF Cyndil Matthew, UMass

DP Brooke Frey, St. Bonaventure



Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention

P/OF Kristen Marris, Temple

2B Kyllie Magill, UMass

OF Lindsey Webster, UMass



Atlantic 10 All Rookie Team

P/1B Kalie Lang, Charlotte

P Alysha Isaacson, Dayton

C Gabby Luety, Fordham

SS Ashley Snider, St. Bonaventure

SS Sarah Prezioso, Temple

OF Tiffany Meeks, UMass

OF Lindsey Webster, UMass

OF Chelsea Lenhart, George Washington



Comments: The coaches did pick the right players for each position, but I think the 1st team needs two at-large spots to accommodate positions that are especially deep. For this season, 3rd base comes to mind: Jocelyn Dearborn put up amazing numbers on the year for Fordham and thus deserved her spot on the squad, but Monica Aguilar deserved a spot on the squad as well. Aguilar had the numbers to be on the 1st team, but because of her position she was relegated to the 2nd team.



While a couple of the individual awards could have gone in another direction, they came out just about how I expected them to.

More Recruiting News

Charlotte and Coach Aimee DeVos have announced the signing of Chelsea Lisikatos today. Lisikatos is a pitcher from Cold Spring, NY, which is in the Poughkeepsie area. Lisikatos figures to see some time both in the circle and at the plate. Lisikatos has recorded over 1000 strikeouts in the circle and she is currently hitting a scorching .679 at the plate. Lisikatos and the rest of Charlotte's pitchers will have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of Katy Hackett. New York has produced some pretty good A10 pitchers, including Brandice Balschmiter, Jen Mineau, and Danielle Henderson. Charlotte will look to Lisikatos to continue that legacy.

Last week St. Louis and Coach Christy Connoyer announced the signings of three players for next season. Lindsay Friedman, Erin Harcar, and Breanna Lockette will join the Billikens for the 2012 campaign. Friedman figures to add some depth in the outfield for St. Louis, while Harcar and Lockette are utility players that could see action in a few different positions.

As always feel free to email commitment news to atlantic10softball@gmail.com

Recruiting Update: Class of 2012

With most 2011 classes pretty much set at this point, it is now time to look at the 2012s. Here are the players currently committed at the moment

Charlotte
Jessica Plemmons CF Carolina Attitude

Fordham
Allie Bradian SS NJ Gators
Samantha Laird C NJ Inferno
Morgan Eisenga P Sorcerers Blue

George Washington
Meghan Rico P/OF RI Thunder
Morgan Matetic C/UT Pittsburgh Power
Laura Thompson P/1B Georgia Elite

UMass
Olivia Godin C RI Thunder

St. Joseph's
Anna Lauterbach P Connellsville Cyclones

Temple
Kelsey Dominik P/1B Lower South Liberty

This class should fill out over the next few months.

Recruiting Update: Videos

Some videos of future A10 players

Anna Lauterbach (2012 St. Joseph's)

Taylor Pirone (2011 Fordham)

Bridget Lemire (2011 UMass)

Mikayla Panko (2011 UMass)

Anna Kelley (2011 UMass)

Allie Kearney (2011 UMass)

Kayla English (2011 Dayton)

Seniors: George Washington

Ali Pardo

Ali Pardo: after recovering from an injury that she suffered in 2009, Pardo built upon her 2010 campaign to help the Colonials to a solid season under 1st year Coach Stacey Schramm. Pardo provided valuable depth in the circle behind Kara Clauss and Heidi Penna and she saw some important innings when Clauss went down with an injury. Pardo picked up her 2nd career win over George Mason this year, which broke the Colonials seven game losing streak. Pardo also picked up a win in her freshman year over NC Central. Pardo also opened up the George Washington pipeline from Florida, which has helped the Colonials score some pretty players over recent years. Pardo has also been a stud off the field as well, which can be read in this story.

Katie Terrazas: as a four year starter Colonials, she saw the squad go through ups and downs, but she really finished her career in a strong manner, as she was named the 2011 team MVP of George Washington. Terrazas started her career out well by hitting .298 with 1 HR and 13 RBI, while starting all 39 games at shortstop. In her sophomore year, Terrazas' average went down a little bit, but her power numbers shot up, as she hit 5 HR with 18 RBI. That homerun total is one of the best in Colonial history. Much like the rest of her team Terrazas' numbers dropped in 2009, but she was really able to turn things around for her senior season. Terrazas had her best season and she played an instrumental role in George Washington's turn around in 2011. Terrazas hit .304 with 42 hits and 12 RBI. Terrazas stepped up as a leader for the Colonials and she really bought into the changes that Coach Schramm brought to the program. Coach Schramm really had to change the entire mentality of George Washington softball and she had a lot of help from her senior leader. Terrazas will be missed, but she has helped lay a solid foundation for future Colonial squads.

Atlantic 10 Connections to Super Regionals

While there may not be any Atlantic 10 teams at Super Regionals this year, there are a few connections to the conference

If anyone has any more feel free to write an email or send a comment

1. Arizona State: while the Sun Devils have not faced any A10 teams, Jamie LaBovick played travel ball with Dallas Escobedo, Lindsey Edgerton, Mary Spiel for the AZ Hotshots. St. Louis' Laura Bohning played high school softball with Mary Spiel of ASU at Corona Del Sol. In addition, the Sun Devils were sent out to regionals in Amherst, MA at UMass in 2010.

2. Alabama: won a very close game against Fordham this year on a walkoff 2-run HR down at the Citrus Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Cassie Reilly-Boccia of the Crimson Tide played travel softball with Samantha Pellechio and the late Nicole Ayres of Fordham for the NJ Inferno.

4. Florida: has not faced any A10 teams this year. Briana Gwaltney of Charlotte played high school ball with USA Softball Player of the Year Finalist Megan Bush at Canyon High School in Anaheim Hill, CA.

5. Missouri: won a very tight 8-7 game against Temple at the USF Fairfield Inn and Suites Tampa North Tournament, as well as sweeping St. Louis in three games this year, winning 12-0 (5), 7-4, and 5-1. Tori Holland and Missouri's Shana White are both from Columbia, MO.

6. Georgia: has not played any A10 teams. Georgia's catcher/designated player Kristyn Sandberg played with Lindsey Kay Bright of Fordham, Erin Gallagher of St. Joseph's, and Sara Plourde and Christine Della Vecchia of UMass for the Stratford Brakettes. Former UMass players Jessica Serio, Carly Normandin, Denise Denis, Bailey Sanders, and Brandice Balschmiter also played for the Brakettes. Monica Aguilar of St. Joseph's also played travel ball with Taylor Schlopy of Georgia for the SoCal Athletics.

7. California: beat UMass 4-0 in a pitcher's duel between Sara Plourde and Jolene Henderson. Monica Aguilar of St. Joseph's played high school ball with Elia and Jamia Reid at Kennedy HS in Buena Park, CA. Ashley Decker also played travel ball with Jamie LaBovick of Fordham for the AZ Hotshots.

8. Arizona: did not face any A10 teams this year. Bridgette Del Ponte played high school and travel ball with Jamie LaBovick for Sunrise Mountain and the AZ Hotshots. Becca Tikey and Nicole Bryan also played for the Hotshots. Lauren Schutzler and Tiffany Meeks of UMass both went to Notre Dame HS in California. Laura Bohning played travel ball with Kenzie Fowler and Karissa Buchanan for the Desert Thunder.

9. Oklahoma: also did not play any A10 teams this year. Allee Allen also went to Kennedy HS in Buena Park, CA with Monica Aguilar.

11. Baylor: did not face any A10 teams this year. Sandi Moynihan of George Washington and Baylor's Liz Paul are both from Sugar Land, TX.

12. Washington: beat Fordham and UMass at the Cathedral City Classic this year, winning 2-0 and 9-2. Jenna Clifton of Washington also played with LaBovick for the Hotshots. Devynne Nelons and Crystal Nyman of Temple, Teea Rogers of UMass, Carlyn Harlow of Dayton, and Lindsey Kay Bright of Fordham played with Baily Harris and Marki Creger-Zier of Washington.

13. Oregon: beat Fordham 2-0 at the University Park Regional this year. Jenna Clifton of Washington also played with LaBovick for the Hotshots. Devynne Nelons and Crystal Nyman of Temple, Teea Rogers of UMass, Carlyn Harlow of Dayton, and Lindsey Kay Bright of Fordham played with Allie Burger and Mikayla Endicott of Washington.

15. Stanford: did not play any A10 teams this season. Gabby Luety of Fordham played with Michelle Prong of Stanford for the TC Tremors. Ashley Hansen is the sister of former Fordham player Megan Hansen and she also played for the AZ Hotshots at one point and she was a high school teammate of Laura Bohning at Corona Del Sol. Tiffany Meeks of UMass played with Caitlyn Pura of Stanford in HS at Notre Dame in Salinas, CA. Meeks also played travel ball with Caitlin Breen of the Cardinal for the San Jose Sting.

16. Texas A&M: did not play any A10 games. Katie Terrazas of George Washington and Lindsey Sisk of Texas A&M are both from Murrieta, CA.

Houston: Drawing a blank


Kentucky: did not play any A10 teams this year. Coach Rachel Lawson played at UMass and also served as an assistant coach under Elaine Sortino. Assistant coach Kristine Himes served as an assistant coach at George Washington for two seasons. Kathleen Maloof of Dayton played travel ball with Chanda Bell of Kentucky for the Indy Dreams Gold.


Oklahoma State: beat UMass 5-0 at the Cathedral City Classic in February.  Teea Rogers of UMass and Lindsey Kay Bright of Fordham played with Kelsey Anchors for the Washington Ladyhawks. Sandi Moynihan of George Washington and Morgan Hawkins are both from Sugar Land, TX.

Sunday Live Chat: Regionals