Softball Reveals 2018 NLI Signing Class
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Dec. 6, 2013) - Head Softball Coach Jamie Apicella has announced this year's signing class of five future Pioneers to National Letters of Intent. Joining the team for the 2015 season are Jaclyn Hahn (Bayport, N.Y.), Emily DeVito (Preston, Conn.), Claire Travis (East Meadow, N.Y.), Samantha Marrone (Holbrook, N.Y.) and Marisa San Antonio (East Meadow, N.Y.).
Hahn, a utility player from Bayport, N.Y., has been a five-year starter for the varsity squad at Bayport Blue Point. As a freshman, she helped her team win the League Championship and earned a spot on the All-League roster that same year. Following her sophomore year, Hahn was named to the All-Division squad, and then she found her way on the All-County team her junior season. During the summer, Hahn plays travel ball for the Long Island Ducks.
"Jaclyn is an outstanding athlete and a tremendous addition to the LIU Post Pioneers," said Apicella. "She is a right-handed hitter that has great speed and power. Her athleticism offers us the option to play her anywhere on the field. Jaclyn is equally impressive in the classroom, performing at the highest level. What is nice to see is she truly loves the game and exhausts every effort to be the best player she can be."
"I knew LIU Post was a good fit for me as soon as I went for my unofficial visit," Hahn stated. "…As an addition to academics, the softball program has been extremely successful, winning seven East Coast Conference titles and have qualified for the NCAA Championships multiple times. I wanted to be a part this hard-working, talented team. I'm excited and honored to move on to the next chapter of my life at LIU Post."
DeVito, a catcher/first baseman from Preston, Conn., plays travel softball for the Connecticut Bombers Gold.A four-year letterwinner at Norwich Free Academy, she also played field hockey and basketball. As a freshman, DeVito received the High School Outstanding Female Freshman Athlete Award. Following her junior year, she was picked to the Norwich Bulletin Newspaper All-Area First-Team, All-Eastern Conn. Conference First-Team, All-State First-Team, and to the All-Star Game. DeVito is active in the community as well, as she volunteers her time by teaching catching skills to young girls, and is a Unified Sports volunteer at her high school.
"Emily is another hard-working, focused player who is passionate about the game of softball. She is a very versatile left-handed hitter who has great awareness of the strike zone," Apicella stated. "Emily also is a left-handed catcher who has great leadership qualities behind home plate. She is another true student-athlete who has had great success in the classroom."
DeVito commented: "I really like the LIU Post softball coaches and the competitiveness of the program. After talking with Coach Apicella, it was obvious that he expects his players to do well on the field and in the classroom. I think that he can really help me to improve my game. Also, the campus is great and I know that I will enjoy being there. I am excited to be a part of LIU Post."
Travis, an outfielder from East Meadow, N.Y., was a three-sport athlete for the Jets, as she played field hockey, indoor track, and softball. She was a Nassau County champion, Long Island champion, and State finalist her junior season with the softball program. She earned a spot on the All-County team that year, and made All-League in 2013 for field hockey. Travis plays travel ball for Team Long Island.
"Claire is a right-handed hitting outfielder who has great speed, range and arm strength. We feel Claire can make an immediate impact in any one of our outfield positions," Apicella noted. "She is a good contact hitter with potential to bat anywhere in our lineup. Her work ethic speaks for itself."
Travis added, "I chose to attend LIU Post because they have a competitive Division II softball program that I have been interested in since I first started looking at colleges. On the academic side of things, LIU Post also has a great business school that I admire. The distance from the university to home is perfect for me. I'm excited to start college and be a Pioneer!"
Marrone, an outfielder from Holbrook, N.Y., is a three-sport athlete at Sachem East, playing volleyball, track, and softball. She earned All-Division honors as a sophomore, and All-County recognition as a junior. She also plays travel ball for Team Long Island along with Travis.
Apicella had this to say about her: "Sam is a speedy left-handed slapper who has the ability to play all three outfield positions. Watching her play over the years, she has shown that she is a sparkplug in every lineup that she bats in. We are excited on her potential to bring that element to LIU Post and create stress for opposing defenses."
Marrone remarked, "Being an upcoming graduate, I chose LIU Post as a part of my future because when I made my first visit I fell in love. Living somewhere that I could be close to my family was very important to me in choosing the correct school. I also wanted to live on campus and receive the full college experience. LIU Post offered both to me. Softball was also a big factor in choosing my school. I want to be on a competitive team that pushes me towards my goals, and have teammates and coaches that throw bigger and better challenges at me every day. After meeting the LIU Post softball team, I was assured that this is the right school for me."
San Antonio, an outfielder/second baseman from East Meadow, N.Y., is also a member of Team Long Island. She is a three-sport athlete for the Jets, playing field hockey, basketball, and softball. She and Travis were Nassau County champions, Long Island champions, and State finalists their junior season with the softball program. As a sophomore, she earned All-County kudos, and followed with All-Conference honors her junior campaign.
"Marisa is another speedy left-handed slapper who has the potential to be a triple threat at the plate. She can play small ball, while keeping opposing defenses on their toes by spraying balls into the gaps. Marisa is a versatile athlete who can play anywhere in the outfield," Apicella remarked.
"I chose to attend LIU Post for the next four years for many reasons," San Antonio stated. "Playing softball at LIU Post is just going to be a bonus; it will be something I enjoy doing at a place where I will enjoy attending. Both Coach Apicella and Coach Campagna were extremely nice and easy to talk to, which made choosing LIU Post a must, and I know it will be a place where I will be very happy."