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Messiah Unveils 2009 Recruiting Class, Roster
Posted: 9/24/2008
More Softball news
Freshman pitcher Jessica Rhoads is one of nine newcomers to the Falcons' program this spring.
Grantham, PA — Fans can expect a new-look Messiah College softball team in the spring of 2009, as eight new faces will grace the Starry Athletic Complex field under the guidance of 12th-year head coach Amy Weaver.
Weaver and and assistant coach Alex Quigley pounded the pavement over the summer to bring in the largest new class in program history, and with it excitement about the possibilities. The Falcons return eight starters from spring 2008, including two All-Commonwealth Conference players (juniors Lindsay Hall and Nicole Adams) and one NFCA All-Region player in Hall.
Last spring the team lost in post-season conference championship play ending their season in disappointment. The squad had high expectations with returning pitcher and NFCA All-Region selection Megan Rice, but an early-season injury lingered throughout the year, adversely affecting her capabilities. Now, however, Rice is healthy and complemented by some new pitching talent.
Weaver said her staff is excited about this new recruiting class as they are a well-rounded group featuring one pitcher, three middleinfielders, two corners and two outfielders. Freshman pitcher Jessica Rhoads is a local hero in the softball world, taking the Northern High School (Dillsburg, Pa.) team to state championship play. Shortstops Jaclyn Merkel and Lauren Seneca each have numerous league, conference and area all-star awards between them. Second baseman Abi Buchler has been with her team to the final four at states two years in a row. Third baseman Ashley Lehman has been with her team several years to Districts and finished in states as a quarterfinalist. Third baseman Tiffany Stokes, infielder/outfielder Jess Brown and utility player Jess Hughes were all captains of their teams, batting in the high .300’s and .400’s to help their teams be successful.
A brief bio of each newcomer follows. Fans can now view Messiah's official 2009 roster as well.
| Jess Brown |
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Number: |
13 |
Position: |
Outfield/Utility |
Hometown: |
Lititz, PA |
High School: |
Warwick High School |
Club Team: |
Blue Diamonds |
Stats: |
.400 batting avg., 7 doubles, 20 RBI’s |
Honors: |
U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award |
Major: |
Nursing |
Abi Buchler |
|
Number: |
14 |
Position: |
Second Base |
Hometown: |
Fenwick Island, DE |
High School: |
Indian River School |
Club Team: |
Delaware Magic |
Stats: |
.320 batting avg., 6 doubles, 5 RBI’s , .955 field % |
Honors: |
Captain, All-Conference player, made final four in state finals 2 years in a row. |
Major: |
Math Secondary Education |
Jessica Hughes |
|
Number: |
18 |
Position: |
Utility |
Hometown: |
Spencer, MA |
High School: |
David Prouty High School |
Club Team: |
Auburn Remix |
Stats: |
.424 batting avg., 4 doubles, 2 triples, 15 RBI’s, .950 field % |
Honors: |
Captain, Mass. Student-Athlete Award |
Major: |
Psychology |
Ashley Lehman |
|
Number: |
1 |
Position: |
3B/C |
Hometown: |
Lancaster, PA |
High School: |
Lampeter-Strasburg High School |
Club Team: |
Blue Diamonds |
Stats: |
.450 batting avg., 1 double, 1 triple, 4 homeruns, 13 RBI’s. |
Honors: |
Captain, Team defensive player of the year, 1st team Section All Star, District Semifinalist, owns the HS record for best batting avg. in a season (.500) and most singles in a season (33) |
Major: |
Health and Phys. Ed. |
Jaclyn Merkel |
|
Number: |
21 |
Position: |
Shortstop/OF |
Hometown: |
Linthicum, MD |
High School: |
Mount deSales Academy |
Club Team: |
Riviera Beach Spirit |
Stats: |
.407 batting avg., 3 homeruns, 17 RBI’s, 10 stolen bases, .900 field % |
Honors: |
Captain, Conference All-Star, All County Shortstop, All Metro Infielder |
Major: |
Nursing |
Jessica Rhoads |
|
Number: |
10 |
Position: |
Pitcher |
Hometown: |
Dillsburg, PA |
High School: |
Northern High School |
Club Team: |
Newtown Rock Gold |
Stats: |
.61 ERA, 16-4 record, 138 innings pitched, 10 shutouts, 1,098 HS career strikeouts |
Honors: |
High School MVP, Sentinel Mid-Penn 1st Team All-star, Patriot News Big 11 1st Team, John Travers Award Nominee, NFCA First Team All-Region |
Major: |
Sport Management |
Lauren Seneca |
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Number: |
8 |
Position: |
Shortstop |
Hometown: |
Bethlehem, PA |
High School: |
Saucon Valley High School |
Club Team: |
Allentown Patriettes |
Stats: |
.410 batting avg., 8 doubles, 2 homeruns, 10 stolen bases, .975 fielding percentage |
Honors: |
1st Team All-League, Morning Call 1st Team All-Area, Express Times 1st Team All-Area, HS MVP |
Major: |
Communications |
Tiffany Stokes |
|
Number: |
11 |
Position: |
Third Base/OF |
Hometown: |
Palmyra, PA |
High School: |
Palmyra High School |
Club Team: |
E-town Twisted Sisters |
Stats: |
.317 batting avg., 4 doubles, 1 homerun |
Honors: |
Captain |
Major: |
Elementary Education/Special Education |
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