Siena Softball Receives Five LOI's

Saints Welcome Five Members of Class of 2015
The Siena softball program has inked five commitments during this season's recruiting period. These new recruits will suit up for the Saints beginning in the 2012 season, and head coach Bill Lajeunesse has high hopes for the class of 2015.
"We targeted the areas of speed, power, and the catching position as the top priorities and we feel as a coaching staff that with the addition of these five athletes our needs have been met," he said. "All of our incoming players have played travel ball at the highest levels gaining valuable experience and come well-coached organizations. We feel that this is a talented class and each one of them has the potential to make an impact early in their Siena career."
First signee Lauren Milligan is a speedy outfielder from Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey. An All-League selection, she plays travel ball with the Hudson Valley Hurricanes Gold.
"Lauren will see time in the outfield right away," Lajeunesse said. "She demonstrates tremendous outfield skills and her speed gives her the ability to make difficult plays look routine. As a switch hitter, Lauren brings the dimensions of power and the short game in her offensive package. Her versatility at the plate and speed on the base paths will make her an exciting player to watch."
Catcher Emily Potere hails from Milford, Pa., where she also fills in at first base. As a junior, she hit .436 for Delaware Valley High School, leading the team to an impressive 35-6 record.

"Emily exhibits outstanding catching fundamentals and technique," Lajeunesse said. "Her ability to keep balls in front of her will allow our pitchers to throw any pitch in any situation confidently and her strong and accurate throwing arm will keep base runners honest. Offensively, she is capable of hitting for power and demonstrates the ability to drive in runs." Chelsea Stout, a native of Owasso, Ok., should also provide depth behind the plate. She helped Owasso High School reach the state playoffs last season, and plays travel ball with the Tulsa Elite Gold.
"Chelsea was brought in to add depth to the catching position, but her versatility and experience during travel and high school ball at playing other positions will get her into the line-up early," Lajeunesse said. "As a hitter, Chelsea will add depth and power to the middle of our lineup. Her experience and success against top level pitching this past year will make her an explosive player to watch."
Infielder Stephanie Viggiano has the ability to play multiple positions for the Saints. The left-handed hitter is a three-time All-League selection from Our Lady of Mercy, and a four-year letterwinner.
"Stephanie has the potential to be an impact player right away," Lajeunesse said. "She is a solid defender and we are looking for her to play various positions on the field. Offensively, as a left-handed hitter, she has a tremendous ability to put the ball in play being very difficult to strike out."
Finally, local talent Megan Volz plays for nearby Lansingburgh High School. The Troy, N.Y., native hit .511 last season, and boasts a career average of .481.
"Megan is a very versatile player who can play a number of positions defensively," Lajeunesse said. "At the plate, her ability to hit line-drives to all fields will make her a tough out for any opposing pitcher. We are looking for Megan to provide depth defensively at a number of positions."
Siena softball opens their season on Saturday in Cary, North Carolina, against Delaware State.
Siena Saints Softball

Marist Softball Signs Three To NLIs For 2012 Season

Taylor Kuzma, Janine Lalli And Melanie White All Sign With Red Foxes

 Feb. 16, 2011

 POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Marist softball head coach Joe Ausanio signed three players to National Letters of Intent for the 2012 season. The trio of new players includes New York native Janine Lalli, Taylor Kuzma from New Jersey and Melanie White who now hails from Highlands Ranch, Colo.

“We are really excited with the incoming freshman class,” Ausanio said of the group. “With no graduating seniors we felt the need to balance our classes, and feel we have accomplished that goal by bringing in these three outstanding student-athletes.”

Janine Lalli – 5-8 – Bats: Right/Throws: Right – P/INF – Eastchester, N.Y./Eastchester/Hudson Valley Hurricanes Gold

In addition to playing five years of varsity softball at Eastchester High School, Lalli also lettered in basketball. She is a two-time All-State, All-Section, All-County and All-League. As a junior she compiled a record of 10-1 and struck out 134 batters in 66 innings pitched. Her earned run average was 0.32. Lalli is a two-time recipient of the New York State Scholar-Athlete Award. On the club level, Lalli and the Hudson Valley Hurricanes Gold went undefeated at the 2010 ESPN Rise/PGF Midwest Qualifier and advanced to the PGF National Tournament in Huntington Beach, Calif. Scholastically, Lalli was a member of the National Italian Honor Society.

Ausanio on Lalli: “I am excited to get Janine’s athleticism into our program. She has the potential to be a top pitcher and a dangerous hitter.”


Taylor Kuzma – 5-9 – Bats: Right/Throws: Right – OF/INF – Freehold, N.J./Colts Neck/Nightmare Gold

Kuzma is a four-year varsity starter at Colts Neck High School who has been named All-Shore, All-County and All-Regional during her scholastic career. In 18 high school games as a junior Kuzma stole 30 bases, notched seven home runs and maintained a .537 batting average. She played five years of 18u softball, four of which were spent with Nightmare Gold.

Ausanio on Kuzma: “Taylor is an all-around outstanding athlete. She brings outstanding speed and power to the table. She has the versatility to play all positions on the field.”

Melanie White – 6-0 - Bats: Right/Throws: Right – P/UTIL - Highlands Ranch, Colo./Rock Canyon/Colorado Styxx


White was a two-time team MVP and was also honored as league player of the year as a senior. She was a First Team All-League honoree as a junior and a First Team All-State choice following her senior season. The all-state accolade came at the 5A division. White helped her high school team to the state finals this year, where it finished as the runner up. Her club team, the Colorado Styxx, are the three-time state champions. Academically, White was a First Team All-State Academic honoree as a junior.

Ausanio on White: “Melanie is another player who shows extreme versatility both in the circle and the batter’s box. We expect big things from her during her time at Marist.”

Marist, which was picked to finish seven in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Coaches’ Poll, begins the 2011 season on Friday, Feb. 25 at the College of Charleston Cougar Classic. The Red Foxes will take on Iowa State and Drexel on the first day of the three-day event.