STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Stony Brook softball team officially welcomed seven newcomers to the program on National Signing Day this fall: Laney Vomero, Maeve Schiereck, Ginny Dowell, Julia Fox, Kayla Varga, Katelyn Kmiotek, and Emily Sharpe. All seven will debut in the 2027 season.

"We are really excited to welcome Laney, Maeve, Ginny, Julia, Kayla, Emily and Katelyn and their families to our Seawolves family," stated head coach Megan Bryant. "This is a terrific class in terms of character, personality and academic achievement as well as familiarity with success on the field.The athleticism, offensive and defensive skill sets and upside of these student-athletes will be important to the continued growth of our program in the CAA."

Laney Vomero | SS | Miller Place, N.Y. | Miller Place HS | Beast Softball 
Laney Vomero signed following an impressive junior season at Miller Place that saw her hit .516 with 33 RBIs. Also boasting a flashy glove at short, Vomero finished the year with a .944 fielding percentage and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, in addition to earning All-County, Newsday Top 100, First Team All-State, and Second Team All-Long Island. In 2025, she led Miller Place to a 23-2 record en route to securing a second consecutive Long Island Class A Championship and the NYS Class A Championship.

"Laney is a terrific athlete with a great work ethic and high softball IQ. Her ability to defend is elite and we see her growing as a hitter in a college program. She is going to be quite an addition to our infield and will be an exciting player to watch." - Coach Bryant


Maeve Schiereck | C | Massapequa, N.Y. | Massapequa HS | Team Long Island
A multi-sport athlete from Long Island, Maeve Schiereck plays basketball and tennis in addition to holding things down behind the dish at Massapequa. A power-hitting catcher, she batted .438 in 2025 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs. Schiereck's solid hitting helped earn her Conference Player Of The Year, All-County, First Team All-State, and First Team All-Long Island. Massapequa went 17-6 last season, making it to the Long Island Championship and State Finals.

"Maeve has the tools to be an outstanding catcher and hitter for us.  Her size, strength, composure and competitiveness are excellent. She has tremendous power and process at the plate, and her arm strength is next level. As the daughter of coaches, Maeve understands the process of working on her craft and what it takes to develop as a player." - Coach Bryant


Ginny Dowell | P/1B | Purcellville, Va. | Woodgrove HS | Tri-State Thunder Nova
The only recruit from outside of the tri-state area, Ginny Dowell is an elite two-way player from Virginia. In the circle, she started 20 games and tossed 90 innings while striking out 130 batters and finishing the 2025 season with a 2.75 ERA. At the plate, she hit .529 while slugging a massive 1.029 and recording five home runs and 22 RBIs. She also boasts strong defensive skills at first base, posting a .975 fielding percentage as a junior. Dowell ultimately helped Woodgrove to a 17-5 record and a trip to regionals last season. 

"Ginny brings the ability to contribute in the circle, at 1B and at the plate for us. She is strong and athletic with a great work ethic and feel for the game. We love pitchers who can rake, and Ginny brings that big bat to our line-up. She has that upside we look for in pitchers as well as a fierce desire to excel." - Coach Bryant


Julia Fox | Infield | Rockaway, N.J. | Morris Knolls HS | NJ Pride-18 National Stern
One of New Jersey's most versatile players, Julia Fox brings with her a top-tier combination of power, speed, and fielding ability. In addition to being able to play every infield position, Fox excelled at the plate as a junior with a .440 BA, .857 SLG, and 39 RBIs. She also proved effective on the base paths, notching 20 steals last season. All of this helped earn her First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Group, and Third Team All-State honors. With Fox leading the way, Morris Knolls went 23-5 while winning a Sectional Title and the program's first Morris County Championship since 2019.

"Julia has the size, athleticism and game smarts to be an excellent infielder and hitter for us. She is gritty, has a high softball IQ and knows what it takes to win. Her ability to be versatile in the infield for us is key, and she knows how to clutch up at the plate." - Coach Bryant


Kayla Varga | DP/1B | East Islip, N.Y. | East Islip HS | Long Island Crush
Kayla Varga is one of East Islip's all-time greatest players, setting seven different single season and career records. In her junior year, Varga turned in another astounding offensive season, slashing .474/.600/.738 (1.338 OPS) with 30 RBIs and 21 runs scored. She would earn All-Division, All-County, All-State, and Newsday Top 100 honors for her efforts. This past season she helped East Islip to the Suffolk County and Long Island Championships.

"Kayla is a smart, savvy player who brings a great bat in terms of average, power and productivity to our lineup. Once in a college program and weight room, she will continue to get stronger and elevate her approach at the plate. Kayla separated herself from other recruits in this position in this recruiting class with her tremendous desire to study at SBU, be a Seawolf and represent Strong Island." - Coach Bryant


Katelyn Kmiotek | UT | Brooklyn, N.Y. | Fontbonne Hall Academy | NJ Pride 18 National Stern
The most versatile defender of the class, Katelyn Kmiotek showed her skills all over the field at Fontbonne Hall Academy and comes to Stony Brook as a formidable utility player. A team captain last year, Kmiotek was a leader on both defense and offense, hitting .433 with 11 XBHs and 14 runs scored.

"Katelyn brings solid defensive versatility, productive at bats and smart baserunning ability to our team. She is smart, gritty and plays with great intent and focus. Katelyn is a true utility player who loves the game and loves to compete." - Coach Bryant


Emily Sharpe | P | Montgomery, N.Y. | Valley Central HS | Team Long Island
Rounding out the class is Emily Sharpe, another two-way player from New York. In her most recent season at Valley Central, she tossed 79 innings and struck out 86 batters, all while posting a 3.54 ERA. Sharpe also excelled on offense, finishing with a .380 AVG and a .414 OBP, as well as flashing the leather with a .973 fielding percentage.

"Emily has a lot of potential as a pitcher, and certainly has the physical attributes to be able to throw with velocity and great spin. She is a tough competitor and wants to learn. Once she gets into our program, puts the work in every day, and gets in the weight room, her game will take off. She is going to be exciting in the circle for us." - Coach Bryant

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