Recruiting Update!

Here is the long awaited recruiting update. Please feel free to list any additional information that is not included on this page, particularly travel teams. The are all of the commitments that have not been previously reported on this blog.

Butler

Brandyce Sallee UT 2013
Alison Tarrant P 2013
Kacey Starwalt P 2013
Chelsea Norwood IF/C Indiana Extreme 2013

Dayton

Hannah DeSalvo OF Indiana Shockwaves 2013
Rebekkah Potter SS Miami Valley Xpress 2013
Gabby Snyder P Indy Dreams 2013
Manda Cash P/1B Ohio Nightmare 2014

Fordham

Stephanie Ferri C SoCal 3D 2013
Madi Shaw IF RI Thunder Gold 2014

George Washington

Marissa Mangini

Mary Wiley 1B Hudson Valley Hurricanes 2013
Marissa Mangini OF Florida Gators Flannery 2013

UMass

Gianna Hathaway IF RI Thunder Gold 2014
Megan Colleran P/1B NE Phoenix 2014

Rhode Island
Danielle Gariglio INF/OF Sudden Impact 2013
Jenna Cubello IF/OF East Coast Elite 2013

St. Bonaventure

Kelly Farrell OF Amherst Lightning 2013
Desiree Gonzalez IF/OF Battery Lightning 2013
Kristen Hickling P TC Tremors 2013
Kiera Lorenzo IF/OF Battery Lightning 2013
Katie Milone SS WNY Finesse 2013
Josie Borysevicz IF Polar Crush 2014

St. Joseph's

Bella Picard IF Worcester Hawks 2013
Alexis Bush C NJ Breakers 2013
Nikki Alden P/IF 2014

St. Louis
Taylor Meeks IF KC Peppers 2013
Alex Nickel IF Lemont Rockers Gold Oz 2013
Mackenzie Pater OF St. Louis Chaos 2013
Hailey Weavers C Originals Gold 2013
Macie Wheeler OF Southern Express 95 2013

Temple
Amanda Gatt P East Coast Elite 2013
Cassidy Trause IF NJ Pride 2013

Updates!

Former Charlotte great Tenaya Tucker led Caserta to the Italian League Softball Title. Tucker led Caserta to a 30-4 record in 2012 and was named MVP of the league. Tucker is currently an assistant coach at Delaware along with former St. Joseph's pitcher Lauren Cognigni.

Bradleigh Breland a 2013 OF from the Houston Power has verballed to George Washington. Breland is a speedy left handed hitter who will add some excellent speed to the Colonials lineup. Breland can also hit away and she could be a force at the top of the lineup. Breland will join Paige Ortiz of Fordham as the second Houston Power player in the A10. Breland joins an impressive George Washington 2013 recruiting class, which also includes Madi Myers-Cook, Paige Kovalsky, Jillian Galich, Megan Linn, Monica Macchiarulo, and Mary Wiley.

Alexia Faulkner a 2013 IF from the NJ Breakers has verballed to St. Joseph's. Faulkner had an excellent season for Mahopac HS in New York, hitting .397 with 18 RBI and 6 steals. Faulkner will add some great depth to the Hawks lineup and she should challenge for playing time right away. Faulkner is the second 2013 NJ Breakers to commit to an A10 school, as Caitlyn Hickey verballed to UMass. Faulkner joins the 2013 Hawks' recruiting class, which also includes Emily Rogers, Stephanie Chaiser, and Maddie Brunck.

Dakota Smith-Porter a 2013 P-1B from the Polar Crush has verballed to UMass. Smith-Porter is a talented P-1B from nearby Turners Falls, which is one of the best high school teams in Massachusetts year in and year out. While Smith-Porter has had great success in the circle, leading her team to a state championship, she projects to be a corner infielder at UMass. Smith-Porter picked up 30 hits, 2 HR, and 19 RBI and she went 13-1 in the circle with 120 SO in 94 innings. Smith-Porter is the latest Polar Crush athlete to head to UMass, joining Taylor Carbone, Emma Mendoker, Quianna Diaz-Patterson, Jess Serio, Carly Morin, Bailey Sanders, Amanda Morin, Jenna Busa, Michea Holness, and Karen LaFrenier.

Amanda Gatt a 2013 P from the East Coast Elite has verballed to Temple. Gatt is a talented pitcher and hitter from New York who is sure to bolster the Owls' staff. Gatt throws the ball with good pace and had an outstanding season last year for her high school, going 11-11 with a 1.34 ERA and 325 SO in 156.1 IP. Gatt will be the fifth East Coast Elite player to play in the A10, joining Cyndil Matthew of UMass and Jess Crowley of Fordham, as well as former Temple players Jess Hirschbuhl and Sarah Reynolds who subsequently transferred to Hofstra and Long Island.

Fall Scores Week 2

September 21
Charlotte 8 Spartanburg Methodist 0
Charlotte 9 Spartanburg Methodist 8
Katie Watkins and Chelsea Lisikatos picked up wins for the 49ers. Chelsea Stamey and Jessie Fennell each hit HR.

September 22
Georgetown 1 George Washington 0 (8 innings)
LP-Chelsey Pedley (3 IP 1 hit allowed)
Meg Rico started for GW, throwing 5 strong innings with 9 SO, while allowing just 1 hit. Pedley came one in relief and allowed just 1 hit. Georgetown scored its lone run in the 8th inning thanks to the ITB rule. 

George Washington 5  Georgetown 0
WP-Courtney Martin (4 IP 4 SO 1 hit allowed)
Courtney Martin led a strong staff outing for the Colonials, going 4 strong innings with 4 SO, giving up just 1 lone hit. Laura Thompson and Pedley combined to allow just 3 hits in the final 3 innings to keep the shutout in tact. Autumn Taylor and Tori Valos each clubbed 2-run HRs and Maura Murphy accounted for the other run with a RBI single.

UMass 13  Boston College 10
Bridget Lemire started the game before being relieved by Lindsey Webster. Webster led an offensive onslaught by hitting a towering grand slam. Tiffany Meeks also hit a solo shot to cement UMass' lead. Quianna Diaz-Patterson had a solid game, which saw her smack a couple RBI singles and score a couple runs. Cyndil Matthew and Katie Bettencourt were also standouts on offense, as they both hit doubles during the game. Diaz-Patterson made some highlight reel plays on defense, snatching line drives out of the sky and Bettencourt doubled a runner off of 2nd.

St. Joseph's 3  Rider 2
Taryn Ashway picked up the win for the Hawks, as she allowed just three hits to the Broncos. Dana Parks had a solid day at the plate going 2-2 with a RBI and Nicole Palase went 1-3 with a double and 2 RBI.

St. Louis 13 Jefferson 3

Butler beat and tied IUPUI (details needed)

St. Joseph's 8 Lafayette 0
Freshmen Anna Lauterbach and Liz Mendez combined on a 2 hit shutout against the Lions. Melissa Ruf had a huge game at the plate going 2-2 with 4 RBI. Morgan Earling also went 2-2 with 1 RBI, Rochelle Christman was 2-2, and Liz Mendez went 1-3 with a RBI double.

Sacred Heart 3 UMass 1
Webster started the game before being relieved by Lemire. The offense struggled to get going in this game. Taylor Carbone was able to pick up a single for the Minutewomen.

Charlotte beat Furman and St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Kalie Lang and Jessica Plemmons each hit HR.

St. Louis 8 St. Charles 0

September 23
St. Joseph's 8 Kutztown 8
Ashway and Mendez combined on a two hit shutout. The Hawks' offense was led by Dana Parks who went 2-4 with 1 RBI, Sarah Yoos who was 2-3 with a double and 3 RBI, Morgan Earling who was 2-3 with a RBI, and Rochelle Christman who went 1-3 with a RBI double.

Fordham 4 Army 2
Michelle Daubman had another solid outing in the circle for the Rams going 7 strong innings, allowing just 1 ER. The Rams played excellent defense behind her, as they turned three DPs behind her. The Rams garnered 7 hits, including a HR and 2 RBI by Paige Ortiz and 2 RBI for Kayla Lombardo. Claudia Law also picked up 2 hits for Fordham. 

Fordham 4 Army 2
Jamie LaBovick started and went 4 innings for the Rams, allowing just 1 ER on 4 hits and Taylor Pirone went 3 innings, allowing just 2 hits. The Rams offense was led by Elise Fortier and Gabby Luety who each picked up 2 hits.

St. Louis 15 Mineral Area 0
St. Louis 10 Truman State 1

Providence vs. URI DH (details needed)

Week 1 Fall Ball Scores

September 15
Binghamton 2 Fordham 0 (8 innings)
Cornell 3 Fordham 1
Dayton 7 Northern Kentucky 6
Dayton 4 Miami 2
St. Bonaventure 12 Buffalo 11
Canisius 8 St. Bonaventure 4
Butler 6 Marian 0
Butler 3 St. Joseph's (IN) 2

September 16
Fordham 11 Colgate 0
Fordham 5 Le Moyne 0
Niagara 5 St. Bonaventure 1
Canisius 3 St. Bonaventure 2
Ball State 9 Butler 2
Butler 7 Lakeland 4

Update

Coaching

The greatest pitcher in Atlantic 10 history: Brandice Balschmiter will be returning to her alma mater UMass as an assistant coach. Balschmiter had a 126-33 career record for the Minutewomen, losing just twice to Atlantic 10 opponents, both in her freshman season. Of Balschmiter's career losses 26 of those took place against ranked opponents. Balschmiter did not lose to a single northeast opponent during her career, marking a true period of UMass dominance in the region. Balschmiter earned four Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year and Atlantic 10 Tournament Most of Outstanding Player awards. Balschmiter will have an important role in shaping UMass' young pitching staff, which only 74.1 innings of experience.

In conjunction with Balschmiter being named an assistant coach, Kristi Stefanoni has been elevated to the role of associate coach. Stefanoni has been on the UMass staff since 2007 and she has been a big part of the Minutewomen's success in recent year.

George Washington will also be adding a highly ranked pitcher to its coaching ranks, as Iona great Sarah Jackson will be coming on board. Jackson led Iona to three straight appearances at NCAA Regionals and brought the program to new heights. Jackson was a two-time MAAC Pitcher of the Year and three-time All-MAAC 1st Team selection.

Fordham is adding former Virginia Tech 3B Charisse Mariconda to its staff. Mariconda helped lead the Hokies to the WCWS in 2008, as well as a victory over the US National Team. Mariconda comes to the Rams from Radford, where she was on the staff last year.

Recruiting news:
Mary Wiles 2013 1B/OF Hudson Valley Hurricanes to George Washington

Erica Reis 2012 1B Holy Family University (The Sports Connection) to La Salle
Michelle Hagarty 2013 SS Delco Rage to La Salle
Tori Gollie 2013 P/OF/3B NJ Inferno Gold to La Salle
Christina Bascara 2013 3B Lower South Liberty to La Salle
Val Buehler 2013 P The Sports Connection to La Salle
Suzanne Swanicke 2013 C The Sports Connection to La Salle
Marissa Kineer 2013 2B The Sports Connection to La Salle

Jaime Conklin 2012 to UMass

Desiree Gonzalez 2013 IF Battery Lightning Gold to St. Bonaventure
Kiera Lorenzo 2013 IF Battery Lightning Gold to St. Bonaventure
Josie Borysevicz 2014 P/1B/OF Polar Crush Gold to St. Bonaventure

Maddie Brunck 2013 OF Cheetahs to St. Joseph's

Maddie Doane 2014 OF Beverly Bandits has decommitted from St. Louis and subsequently committed to Syracuse

Recruiting update

UMass
Maria Jose Clark has verballed to UMass. Clark is a talented outfielder for Firecrackers-Snyder.

Rhode Island
Ashley Olson is transferring to URI after a successful career at the Community College of Rhode Island. She was a 2-time All-Region selection and a 2011 All-American. She will be a big addition to this URI squad. She swings a powerful bat and she will pack a punch for the Rams.

Shelby Stracher

Temple
Shelby Stracher 2014 catcher of the RI Thunder Elite has verballed to Temple. Stracher is the latest Thunder Elite player to commit to an A10 school. She joins Taylor Archer (Rhode Island), Anna Kelly (UMass), Allie Kearney (UMass), and Maggie Quealy (UMass).

Catching up on summer

Charlotte
Lauren Groomes a catcher out of North Davidson joins Charlotte's freshman class of Courtney Carroll and Jessica Plemmons. North Davidson is a powerhouse in North Carolina softball and two of Groomes teammates will be joining her in a year: Mackenzie Hauser and Paige Wall.

Dayton
Former Dayton player Laura Matthews has been named the head softball coach at Wittenberg.

Fordham
Chelsea Plimpton has been hired as an assistant coach at her alma mater of Fordham, after serving as the pitching coach at Marist and St. Lawrence this past year.
Former Fordham pitcher Nicole Ayres was honored with a weekend softball fundraiser in July.

George Washington
Here is an outstanding article on former GW star and Olympian Elana Meyers.

La Salle
Head coach Ron Shoemaker has announced the Explorers' fall schedule.

Whitney Mollica

UMass
Whitney Mollica Goldstein has been named the new head coach at Amherst College. Since coming on board, this team has become a D3 powerhouse and they are sure to get even better. Goldstein is a special coach and she will be a great coach in Division 1 someday.

St. Bonaventure
Jen Sansano will be transferring to Niagara from St. Bonaventure.

Temple
Jess Zeilman formerly of Hofstra will be playing for Temple this season.

Ron Shoemaker is the new La Salle softball coach

Ron Shoemaker has been named the new head softball coach at La Salle.

Shoemaker is extremely familiar with both the A10 and the Philadelphia area, having coached at La Salle and Temple before his recent stint as the associate head coach at St. Joseph's. Shoemaker helped lead the Hawks to new heights in the A10 and he is sure to do good things with this La Salle program.

This hire definitely receives the grade of an A. Shoemaker knows what it takes to win in the A10 and he should get this program moving in the right direction. His rebuilding process will be centered around Meg Hodgson and Alicia Aughton who are poised for breakout seasons.

If you have any news please email: atlantic10softball@gmail.com

Updates

Katy Hackett will be returning to Charlotte as an assistant coach. Hackett was one of the best pitchers in school history and she should have a crucial role in developing Charlotte's young pitcher staff. During her playing days, Hackett was known for her knee buckling change up.

Fordham got a huge transfer pickup as Rachel Gillen will he transferring to Fordham from Virginia. Gillen is a lefty pitcher who can hit and play in the field. Fordham will have three pitchers who are also solid hitters next year with Gillen, Taylor Pirone, and Michele Daubman.

The 2012 Atlantic 10 Tournament will be held in Amherst, MA on the campus of UMass. The 2012 season should be one of the most competitive ever with 12 teams competing for 6 spots in te tournament.

If you have any scheduling, transfer, or commitment news please email atlantic10softball@gmail.com

More commitments!

If you follow us on Twitter you would have seen these already, but here they are:

Butler
Mason Robinson 2013 Ohio lasers black
Dayton
Cynthia Leaton 2013 Indy Dreams
St. Joseph's
Hannah Dionne 2012 RI Thunder
UMass
Lindsey Zenk UT 2012 LI Chargers

If you have any recruiting news or transfer news please email atlantic10softball@gmail.com

Atlantic 10 Softball's Graduating Class of 2012

Charlotte
Lorena Vela 2B

Dayton
Lauren Nacke DP
Brandy Brown 1B
Sarah Wedel P
Courtney Kutsulis C
Megan Barrett OF

Fordham
Jen Mineau P
Nicole Callahan 2B
Lindsey Kay Bright OF
Jo Krasnisky UT

George Washington
Kara Clauss P
Heidi Penna P
Jamie Yaniga OF
Sandi Moynihan IF
Lauren Wilson OF
Jordyn O'Donnell OF
Jillian Stanley C
Amanda Zakeri OF

La Salle
Heather Brabazon OF
Shannon Skomorucha C
Breanna DiTommaso OF

UMass
Sara Plourde P
Kyllie Magill 2B
Jordan Storro IF
Stephanie Mayne C
Stephanie Mix OF

Rhode Island
Nicole Massoni C
Alison Hartzell P
Jhokania DeLos Santos OF
Brittany Julich OF

St. Bonaventure
Diana Phalon P
Ashley Nowak DP
Brittany Storch 2B
Brooke Frey C
Kristin Sullivan OF

St. Joseph's
Erin Gallagher P
Lauren Pembleton P
Alaina Loguidice 1B
Bernadette Moran 2B

St. Louis
Kelcie Matesa P
Hannah Huebbe P
Rachel Faletto 3B
Kerri Dockins 2B
Kelly Flanagan UT
Liz Jones C

Temple
Capri Catalano P
Rachel Knable 1B
Melissa Robbins OF
Samantha Schoell 3B
Alysse Pujol OF
Christina Sykora OF
Meaghan Marley 2B

Offseason News and Notes

Butler will be joining the Atlantic 10 in 2013. This will give the conference 12 teams to schedule in conference play, which will likely result in a 22 game schedule with Butler serving as the travel partner of Dayton. Temple and Charlotte will be remaining in the conference for the 2013 season before moving on to the Big East and Conference USA respectively.

Butler softball had an up and down 2012 season, but they were able to knock off eventual champion Valparaiso in the Horizon League Tournament. The Bulldogs could be strong contenders for the conference tournament this season, as the top three pitchers all return. Jenny Esparza could be an early favorite for pitcher of the year next season. The Bulldogs also return a lot of offensive power, so it will be interesting to see how they fair. Butler did not play any games with Atlantic 10 schools last year.

In other news, Temple has signed three players for next season, including Leah Lucas 2B of the SoCal Diamonds who was previously mentioned here, along with Annie Marcopolus OF of the Newtown Rock, and Jessica Tolmie, a pitcher from New South Wales, Australia. These three will join fall signee Kelsey Dominik, as the Owls will look to build off of their 3rd place regular season finish in 2012. They will be counted on to replace one of the most talented classes in recent Temple history: Rachel Knable, Melissa Robbins, Samantha Schoell, Alysse Pujol, Christina Sykora, Meaghan Marley, and recent addition Capri Catalano.

Of note: the Atlantic 10 has had foreign players in the past including 2004 Canadian Olympian Kaila Holtz of UMass who was a 2-time pitcher of the year. The A10 has not had a player from Australia in the past, so Jessica Tolmie will be the first. Tolmie will be a bit of a mystery to everyone going into next season.

Elsewhere Jen Sansano will be transferring from St. Bonaventure. Always a pleasure to watch in the circle and we wish her well as she moves on to her new school.

If you have any offseason news, please email atlantic10softball@gmail.com