Dec. 7, 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University's head softball coach, Megan Bryant, announced today that six student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Seawolves beginning in 2011. The signing class consists of Jessica Combs (Hammonton, N.J.), Elise Fortier (Coventry, R.I.), Carly Wade (Placentia, Calif.), Nicole Hoyle (Warwick, Md.), Nicole Schieferstein (Seaford, N.Y.) and Lauren Maloney (Las Vegas, Nev.).

"We are excited to welcome Jess, Carly, Elise, Nicole, Lauren and Nicole and their families to the Stony Brook Softball program," said Bryant. "This is an important recruiting class for us. We have signed six outstanding young women who will help us continue to be highly competitive on the field and who are a great fit for Stony Brook University. All six are committed to academic and athletic success, have great support from their families and have been well-prepared for the college game by excellent coaches."

An infielder from Hammonton High School, Combs hit .476 with 29 runs, 30 RBI, four home runs and a .780 slugging percentage during her junior year. She was named to the All-Cape and All-South Jersey first teams and was an All-State second team selection. She also plays travel ball for the New Jersey Mystics Gold and coach Stacy Jones. "Jess is an outstanding athlete who can beat you with her bat or a clutch play on defense," said Bryant. "She is an exciting player to have in the line-up and will be a big part of our infield. Jess has the tools, plays hard and plays for keeps. Her uniform is never clean. We believe that Jess will contribute immediately to our team's success and our fans will love to watch her play."

Fortier is also an infielder and has starred at Coventry High School in both softball and basketball. A Rhode Island nominee for Gatorade Player of the Year, she has earned first team all-state and all-division honors in each of three varsity seasons. Last season she hit .412 while leading her team to a 20-7 record. She also plays travel ball for the Rhode Island Thunder Gold and Coach Dave Lotti. "Elise was one of the top northeast prospects in this class and we are thrilled that she has decided to join us here at Stony Brook," said Bryant. "She is a tremendous hitter for both power and average, has an excellent arm and is solid defensively. Elise plays with great poise and maturity and knows the game. She leads by both example and word and makes those around her better."

A pitcher at Mater Dei High School, Wade appeared in 20 games last season, holding opponents to a .140 batting average. She went 3-0 while picking up five saves for the Trinity League Division I Champions. Her ERA of 0.24 was the lowest recorded in all of Orange County. She also plays travel ball for the Newport Beach Riptide Gold and Coach Barry Grumman. "Carly is a strong left-handed pitcher with good movement and speed," said Bryant. "She has pitched at a high level for two very good programs at Mater Dei and with the Riptide. Carly is focused, determined and knows what it takes to be successful. She wants the ball and will throw as long as her team needs her to."

A senior at Bohemia Manor High School, Hoyle is an infield/outfield combo player who hit .431 with four homers last season. An all-county selection, she's a versatile player who has also spent time behind the plate for Bohemia. She also plays travel ball for the New Jersey Breakers Gold and Coach AJ Nowell. "Nicole's defensive versatility, knowledge of the game and competitive nature make her a welcome addition to our program," said Bryant. "She is a very focused young woman who is determined to succeed and will outwork you to make that happen. We believe Nicole has the potential to be a really good hitter at the next level. Her experience with the NJ Breakers has helped raise her game and we look for her to thrive in a college atmosphere."

Hailing from Long Island, Schieferstein is a catcher from Seaford High School. She led her school to a 20-2 mark in 2009 while hitting .398 and reaching base almost 50% of the time. An all-conference selection, she is a solid defensive catcher as well. She also plays travel ball for the Long Island Express and Coach Ken Passante. "Nicole is a terrific catcher with all the tools," said Bryant. "She works well with pitchers, has good quickness and blocking ability and has a great arm. Nicole really knows the game and her position. She makes her pitcher better and takes charge in the infield. She is strong physically and mentally and ready for the challenge of competing at the Division I level."

Rounding out the class, Maloney is a transfer from North Idaho College where she hit .398 with 32 steals, 13 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 51 RBI. From her infield position she led the team to a 30-16 record and a regional tournament appearance. She was named to the first team all-region and all-tournament teams and was honored with the team's Defensive Player of the Year award. "Lauren is the icing on the cake of an exceptional recruiting class," said Bryant. "She is athletic, has great speed, hits for power and average from both sides of the plate and is fundamentally strong on the defensive side. Lauren is a terrific base runner, knows how to work a count and has all the tools to step into our lead-off spot. She will bring two years of highly competitive college experience, excellent game knowledge and leadership ability to our young team next fall."