Softball Announces Class of 2017 Signing Class
Head softball coach
Jamie Apicella has announced this year's signing class of four future Pioneers to National Letters of Intent. Joining the team in 2013 will be
Ashley Martin (Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach),
Kayla McCoy (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West),
Mackenzie Buckley (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East), and
Melissa Peet (Monroe, Conn./Masuk).
This signing is especially notable for Martin, whose hometown of Long Beach has been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Martin and her parents, Richard and Michele, recently traveled to the campus of LIU Post in order for Ashley to sign her NLI.
Ashley Martin, a right-handed pitcher from Long Beach High School in Long Beach, N.Y., helped the Mariners to a quarterfinal finish in 2011 and a semifinal appearance in 2012 in the Nassau Conference AA-I. Martin, a four-year varsity player, was an All-Conference selection as a freshman, followed by All-County kudos in her sophomore and junior seasons. She is also a standout in the classroom, earning scholar-athlete mention over the past three seasons. Martin plays travel ball for the Long Island Sudden Impact Gold.
“Ashley is an outstanding student-athlete that possesses outstanding skills from the pitching circle" said Apicella. "I feel she is one of the top pitchers in the area and know she is going to make an immediate impact when she arrives on campus. Ashley is a true competitor in the circle, which I feel combined with her tremendous work ethic will make her a force in the East Region for years to come. The potential is there and I am very excited to have Ashley apart of the program. In addition, the current LIU Post Softball team has Ashley, her family and the entire Long Beach community in our thoughts and prayers.”
Kayla McCoy, a right-handed hitting infielder from Smithtown West High School in Smithtown, N.Y., was named the 2012 League III Field Player of the Year after batting .448 last season with 12 extra base hits, 29 runs scored, 24 runs batted in, a .513 on base percentage and an .821 slugging percentage, all while striking out only three times. McCoy, a four-year starter for the Bulls, was named the League IV Rookie of the Year following her rookie season, along with All-Division Honors. She earned All-Division and All-League in her freshman and junior seasons, and capped junior year with All-County and All-Long Island Second Team honors. She plays travel ball for the Long Island Ducks.
"Kayla is an outstanding hitter that will hit with power and thrives on pressure situations," Apicella said. "She has tremendous instincts for the game and will be a great addition to the middle of our line up. Her glove skills at 1B and her presence at the corner position will help improve an already talented infield. Kayla also has the athletic ability to play other positions as well. What caught my eye about Kayla was not just how talented she was but how much she truly loves the game and wants to be part of success for years to come.”
Mackenzie Buckley, a right-handed hitting outfielder from Smithtown East High School in Smithtown, N.Y., earned Suffolk County All-Division accolades last season after she hit .369 with 30 runs batted in and 11 extra-base hits, to go along with a .481 on base percentage and a .631 slugging percentage. A five-year varsity starter for the Bulls, she was team's Rookie of the Year in 2009, while earning Suffolk County All-League her sophomore year. Equally at home in the classroom, Buckley has been a scholar-athlete throughout her career at Smithtown, as well as serving as the team's captain the past two seasons. She also showcases her athleticism as a two-year starter and All-Division field hockey player. In addition, she was the recipient of the Suffolk Zone award, given to Suffolk County Physical Education exceptional student athletes. Buckley plays travel ball for the Long Island Ducks.
“Mackenzie is a “throw back” type of player," said Apicella. "She is a talented, versatile player that knows how to play the game the right way. Mack has the versatility to play any position in the outfield and also bat anywhere in the line-up. She has the speed to bat lead-off but also has the power to hit in the middle of the line-up. Watching her play I truly enjoyed seeing a young lady who understands how to leave it on the field and never walk away feeling that she did not give her full effort that day.”
Melissa Peet, a right-handed hitting shortstop/first baseman from Masuk High School in Monroe, Conn., earned South West Conference All-Division honors after hitting .525 last season as she enters her fourth season as a starter for the Panthers. Peet also earned SWC All-Colonial kudos after her sophomore year and SWC Honorable mention following her freshman year. An impressive athlete, she is a starter for the Panther girls' basketball team, where she has earned the coaches award the past two seasons, and her classroom performance speaks for itself as she is a perennial honoree on the SWC All-Academic team, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, the National Business Honor Society, and the World Language Honor Society. Peet plays travel ball for the Stratford Breakers Blue.
"Melissa is an outstanding player that possesses outstanding tools and instincts for the game" Apicella said. "She will be an outstanding middle infielder that will make an impact on both offense and defense. Melissa will bring great leadership skills and a passion to win. Her athleticism and spirit for the game opened my eyes immediately. Melissa has great arm strength and range from the short stop position. On the offensive side I see her making and impact in the middle of our line-up right away. In addition to her athletic attributes Melissa is equally successful in the classroom. She will be receiving our most prestigious academic scholarship. I am excited that Melissa will be joining the LIU Post Softball family in 2013.