RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Two catchers and one pitcher have signed National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to join the Manhattan College softball program for the 2013 season, Head Coach Tom Pardalis announced today. Erin Hamm (Collegeville, Pa.), Elena Bowman (San Mateo, Calif.) and Andi Stallard (Katy, Texas) all committed to the Jaspers during the NCAA's early signing period.
"All three of these recruits will have an immediate impact on our program, both academically and athletically," Pardalis said.
Hamm is a 5-foot-8 pitcher at Perkiomen Valley High School. Also an infielder, she was named All-Pac-10 Conference as a utility player and earned honorable mention all-area recognition last season. Hamm also plays for the TCS Rising Stars, and she led that team to the 18U ASA Eastern National Championship during the summer of 2011. In addition, she participated in the 2010 ISF World Cup in Plant City, Fla.
"We needed a top-notch pitcher, and Erin will fit the bill perfectly," Pardalis said. "She has the speed and changes pitches well. Erin can definitely compete at a high level in this league."
Bowman, a 5-foot-8 catcher/infielder, has been a starter since her freshman year at Aragon High School. She was a first team all-conference and first team all-district selection after hitting .413 and slugging .733 last season. Bowman led the league in doubles and tied for the league lead in home runs in 2011. She also earned first team all-conference and all-district honors as a sophomore, when she hit .430 and led the league in both doubles and RBIs.
A 5-foot-7 catcher/outfielder, Stallard is a four-year letterwinner at Taylor High School. She was named First Team All-District and First Team All-Greater Houston after leading Taylor to the District 19-5A Championship and a berth in the regional semifinals as a junior. Stallard was also selected as an ESPN Rise Player of the Week and named Taylor's Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. A two-time Academic All-District selection, Stallard also earned First Team All-District and First Team All-Greater Houston honors as a sophomore, as Taylor advanced to the regional final.
"I'm excited to bring two potentially great hitters, both for average and power, into the program," Pardalis said. "Elena and Andi are both tremendous student-athletes who possess good athletic ability and are capable of playing multiple positions."
They join a roster that also returns 12 letterwinners next season. The Jaspers begin the 2012 campaign with a doubleheader against Quinnipiac on Feb. 29.
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