RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Manhattan College head softball coach Meaghan Asselta announced today that four players?Heather Leone (Brick, N.J.), Alexa Limon (La Habra, Calif.), Meghan McDevitt (Nutley, N.J.) and Jocelin Whitmore (La Habra, Calif.)?have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Lady Jaspers' softball team as freshmen for the 2010 season. The four committed to Manhattan during the NCAA's early signing period.
“These four players not only possess the softball skills needed in high school, but as a whole, they are a great group of girls who come from strong softball traditions at both their high schools and their summer ball teams,” Asselta said. “I am confident that they will mesh immediately with the 14 returners next year.”
Leone has played catcher, first base and the outfield for Bricktownship High School. She earned the team's Offensive Player of the Year award following her sophomore season.
“She can play anywhere we ask of her next year and will have the opportunity to produce right away from all areas,” Asselta said about Leone. “She has already shown that she is more than capable to perform at the highest level and her best softball is yet to come.”
A catcher/third baseman, McDevitt led Nutley High School to a 25-5 record and the NNJIL championship in 2008. She was named First Team All-NNJIL, First Team All-Essex County and First-Team All-Area. In 2007, McDevitt earned a place on the All-NNJIL Second Team.
“We are really going to expect a lot out of Meghan's bat next year, especially after losing the core group of seniors that we have this year,” Asselta said. “Her best softball has yet to come, which is going to make it even more exciting to watch her develop at this level.”
Limon, a right-handed pitcher, and Whitmore, who can play every position except pitcher, led Sonora High School to the CIF playoffs in 2008. Limon earned First Team All-League and team MVP honors as a junior and has international experience, playing for the USA Junior Olympic Team that participated in the Goodwill Games in Australia in 2002. Whitmore has been named Second Team All-League in each of the last two seasons and earned Sonora's Zapata Award as the team's hardest worker three times. She will probably play the outfield and middle infield at Manhattan. The two are also teammates at the club level.
“Alexa will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact both off the mound and at the plate next year,” Asselta said. “When not on the mound, she will be able help us in the outfield as well. What excites me most about having her join our family is the amount of experience she already has, not only on the national level, but against international competition as well. Learning from Olympic-level coaches and players, her success at this level will be a pleasure to watch throughout her four years here at Manhattan.
“Jocelin is the all-around athlete that any coach would love to have. What really caught my eye with Jocelin was the endless amount of energy she puts into every aspect of the game. Whether bouncing in between pitches, or being the first one out of the dugout after her team scored a run; it truly was refreshing to watch.”
The 2009 edition of the Manhattan softball team opens the season at the Maryland Round-Robin against Dartmouth, Gardner-Webb and host Maryland on March 7-8.
