Softball Adds Four Recruits for 2009
12/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. Seton Hall softball head coach Ray Vander May has announced his recruiting class for the 2009 season. The incoming freshmen include a pair of New Jersey products, catcher Kristen Kaelin (Holmdel, N.J.) and outfielder Jeanette Ragucci (Glen Gardner, N.J.). The Pirates will also welcome shortstop Laura Canulli (Naperville, Ill.) and catcher Nicole Loewenstein (Bel Air, Md.).
“I’m very happy with this recruiting class,” Vander May said. “We have added speed, power, and depth with these players. Our objectives were to try and strengthen our catching and middle infield. We already have quality players in those areas, but sometimes you look to have more depth just in case somebody gets hurt.”
Kaelin plays for Kim Lombardi at St. John Vianney High School and with the Rockland Thunder Elite in the summer under the direction of Marco Minuto and Jim MacDonald.
“Kristen is a catcher who can hit for power and has strong arm,” said Vander May. “She will definitely help out at her position.”
Ragucci, a product of Donna Exely’s program at Voorhees High School, was named a First Team All-County Selection in 2007. She plays summer ball with the North Jersey Rocks, coached by Daryl Reigel.
“We saw Jeanette play summer ball and nobody could get her out,” stated Vander May. “I think she went 7-for-7 one game we watched. She is a lefty slapper with great speed who has the potential to contribute right away.”
Canulli won a Daily Herald Golden Golve and is a Chicago Sun-Times Top 100 player at shortstop last season for Benet Academy, coached by Jerry Schilf. Her travel team is the Stone City Sharks, guided by Jack Podlesny.
“Laura is a player we brought in who is an NFCA Second Team All-Region shortstop,” Vander May said. “We think she will solidify our defense, and will help our team tremendously in the future.”
Loewenstein will graduate from John Carroll High School, where she has been coached by Sherry Hudson. She has been named the Baltimore Sun’s All-Metro catcher the past two seasons and won a 2006 Pony National Championship with her travel team, the Maryland Legends, with Ed Lynch at the helm.
“I’ve seen a lot of catchers,” Vander May said. “Nicole Loewenstein might be the best I’ve ever seen. She has great instincts and just knows the game extremely well, so we are really excited to add her to our program.”
The Pirates went 15-35 last season and posted a 9-13 mark in the conference to earn a return trip to the BIG EAST Championship after a one year absence. Seton Hall opens up the 2008 campaign on February 15, 2008 at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.
