Riverdale, N.Y. (January 10, 2007)?First year head softball coach Meaghan Asselta is pleased to announce the signing of eight new student-athletes who will come to Manhattan College and to Asselta's squad for the 2008 season, as part of the class of 2011. Melissa Cascio (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park), Melissa Donnelly (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach), Nicole Michel (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa), Mai'lee Paselio (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe), Ashley Rampino (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan), Allison Smith (Daleville, Va./Lord Botetourt), Erika Sullivan (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore), and Kristina Walraven (Thompson Ridge, N.Y./Pine Bush) will make up Asselta's first recruiting class.
“These eight girls have the capability of taking the Manhattan Softball program to the next level. They will be a part of a class that fortifies the pivotal positions and they all have the ability to provide the needed leadership in those positions right away,” commented Asselta. “With losing eight players this year, these new young ladies will have both the opportunity and challenge to contribute to Jasper Softball immediately.”
Cascio, a left-handed hitting first baseman, was named All-League at Kings Park High School, and named Rookie of the Year of her varsity squad. Cascio was also part of a team that was the League IV Champions.
“Melissa will give us great presence on the corners next year, and is an absolute pleasure to watch at the plate and in the field,” commented Asselta. “I am really excited to see what she is going to bring to our program.”
Donnelly, a pitcher and infielder, has already had a decorated high school career with one year remaining. This past year, Donnelly was not only a 2006 All-State selection, but was also named to Newsday's All-Long Island Team. In addition to being the Class AA Nassau County League MVP, she was an All-County selection to boot. The right-hander is also captain of a team that was Nassau County Champions.
Noted Asselta, “Melissa is an amazing athlete that will make an immediate impact for us next year. Whether she is on the mound, in the field, or at the plate, she has the ability to change the outcome of any game instantly.”
Michel, a versatile athlete who can play both the infield and outfield, is a two time All-Conference player and an All-County selection in the Nassau Division AA-1. The 5-7 right-hander was also team MVP of her varsity squad, and spent this past fall playing with the New Jersey Nightmare.
“I wanted Nicole to become a Lady Jasper from the first time I saw her play. The most exciting part of adding Nicole to our program is that she has not yet reached half her potential as a player,” commented Asselta. “I am truly looking forward to helping her develop into the great player she can be.”
Paselio, a right-handed catcher and infielder is already a three year varsity player heading into her senior season. Paselio has been named First Team All-Division, Second Team All-County and Third Team All-Area. Playing for the New Jersey Breaker Gold Team in 2006, she swatted 15 home runs.
“Mai is a solid catcher who possesses an unrelenting work ethic, knowledge of the game, versatility in the field, and the ability to end a game with just one swing of her ba.,” said Asselta. “It's going to be a pleasure to watch her make her mark next year.”
Rampino has a Manhattan College pedigree as her father Robert is a Manhattan alum who ran track for the Jaspers, was part of an IC4A mile relay squad that won gold, and was a member of the Metropolitan Championship teams in 1968 and 1971. The younger Rampino will primarily toe the rubber for the Lady Jaspers next spring as a right-handed hurler. Last season as a junior, she whiffed 194 batters in 106 innings pitched and sported a microscopic 0.66 ERA. Those impressive numbers made her Second Team All-Shore and First Team All-District. Her sophomore season, Rampino struck out 257 batters in 134 innings pitched with a 0.62 ERA and was named MVP of the Monmouth County Tournament. In addition to that honor, she was named First Team All-Shore in Monmouth and Ocean County.
“Ashley is a pitcher who wants the ball in her hands every inning, for she is a fierce competitor on the mound,” commented Asselta. “I expect great things from her not only on the mound, but from the corners and at the plate as well.”
Smith, a right-handed pitcher, who according to Asselta, “has great speed, movement, and presence on the mound,” was named MVP of her varsity team by her coaches in both 2004 and 2005. Additionally, Smith was a Second Team All-District pitcher.
“Manhattan College is very lucky to have Allie,” said Asselta. “While being mentored by some of the best pitching instructors in the country, Allie is going to help us seriously compete in the conference. I can not wait to watch her excel next year.”
Sullivan, a pitcher, second baseman and team captain, has been playing varsity softball since seventh grade. As a junior, Smith was named to Newsday's All-Long Island team, in addition to being a Regional All-American and Pitcher of the Year. The right-hander has also been an All-State selection as a freshman and sophomore, and named All-County three of the past four seasons.
“Because of her knowledge on the mound and throughout the whole game, Sully is the type of player you want on your team,” noted Asselta. “This overall awareness and game toughness has given her the ability to compete against the best at the Gold level. She is going to be a great addition for us next year.”
Walraven, whose father Thomas played baseball for the Jaspers, is a switch-hitting outfielder. As a five year varsity starter, Walraven has won her team's Offensive Award twice, and is a two time First Team All-Star for her district. She has also been selected to the Second and Third Team All-Star squads, and was also Sixth Team All-State.
“Kristina has the potential to complete a solid outfield for us next year,” said Asselta. “With her at the plate and on the bases, she is going to give us a different and exciting approach to scoring runs next year.
While Asselta looks forward to welcoming in her first recruiting class, right now her attention rests squarely with this upcoming season, and is thankful for the contributions from the team's current members. “The graduating players have laid the groundwork and their efforts make all this possible,” said Asselta. “The remaining players are critical to a smooth transition, enabling the new players to compliment the talent already here and to make Manhattan Softball a program that will be respected in both the MAAC and the NCAA nation wide.”
Manhattan concluded its season with a 26-24 record, 6-10 in MAAC play. The 26 wins were the most since the 1994 season and tied for fourth in program history, and the winning record was the first for the program since the 1995 season. Manhattan kicks off its 2007 season on February 16th at the College of Charleston Tournament.
