Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Softball Announces Recruiting Class
4/1/2008 8:00:00 AM | Softball
April 1, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Even though the 2008 schedule recently reached league play, the Bucknell softball program is still busy preparing for the future as fourth-year head coach Heather Rakosik announced the Bison's next recruiting class Tuesday. The seven-person Class of 2012 features players from five states and includes three pitchers.
"This class as a whole has outstanding academic and athletic credentials," lauded Rakosik, who will be trying to lead the Bison to their first Patriot League Tournament appearance since 2005 this spring. "We feel good that each of them will fit into Bucknell University very well, both on and off the field."
Bucknell's Class of 2012 will be charged with replacing the 2008 seniors - Erin Curatola, Heather Haskin and Christie Wiest - who have been regular starters since their freshman campaign.
Following is an alphabetical list of the seven Bucknell softball recruits that comprise the Class of 2012:
Meredith Dickson (C/Util.) - Fogelsville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh
Elizabeth Fanning (P) - Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure High School
Jane Messersmith (P/OF) - Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor
Jamie Price (1B/3B) - Salem, Va./Salem
Brittany Schlorff (C/SS) - Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham
Kaytlin Senatore (P) - Sparta, N.J./Sparta
Alicia Wheeler (C/OF) - Scottsdale, Ariz./Paradise Valley
Class of 2012 Bios:
Meredith Dickson (Fogelsville, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) - Catcher/Utility ... First Team All-Area in Lehigh Valley in 2006 and 2007 ... All-Colonial League catcher in 2006 and 2007 ... earned player of the week honors from the Morning Call and Blue Ridge Cable ... helped Northwestern Lehigh to Colonial League title in 2006 ... also led squad to PIAA 2A state semifinals in 2007 ... will receive fourth varsity letter in softball this spring ... plays travel softball with the Allentown Patriettes ... National Honor Society member ... Keystone State American Legion Award recipient ... earned National English Merit Award ... Johns Hopkins Gifted and Talented Search selectee ... father, John, played baseball and basketball at Washington College.
Rakosik on Dickson: "Meredith literally bleeds Orange and Blue. Her focus on academics and team makes her an ideal fit for our program. I am looking forward to seeing Meredith's work ethic in action."
Elizabeth Fanning (Ventura, Calif./St. Bonaventure High School) - Pitcher ... three-time all-league selection ... earned second-team honors in 2005, first-team in 2006 and honorable mention in 2007 ... named team's Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2006 ... 2008 team captain ... plays travel softball with California Rage Gold ... member of National Honor Society and SAAC ... school awards in advanced geometry, biology, Spanish, chemistry and algebra.
Rakosik on Fanning: "Elizabeth is a great fit for Bucknell. Her strong academics, as well as Gold-level pitching experience, will make her a great addition to our program."
Jane Messersmith (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) - Pitcher/Outfield ... Two-time first-team all-league selection ... named team MVP twice ... earned rookie of the year honors as a freshman in 2005 ... second-team all-league choice in 2005 ... two-time California Interscholastic Federation Scholar-Athlete ... plays travel softball with Victory USA Gold.
Rakosik on Messersmith: "I am ecstatic to have Jane join our program. She is a true all-around player who can do it all. She has unbelievable power at the plate, is an accomplished pitcher, and can also play a phenomenal outfield. To have someone of Jane's caliber join our program will only help us get to that next level."
Jamie Price (Salem, Va./Salem) - First Base/Third Base ... 2008 softball team captain ... team's offensive player of the year and recipient of Coach's Award ... all-district choice as a freshman, sophomore and junior ... member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Junior Honor Association ... Governor's Scholar ... Distinguished Scholar ... played travel softball with New Jersey Pride.
Rakosik on Price: "I knew from the minute I met Jamie that she would be a great fit for our program. She is a great, hard-working player who will represent Bucknell softball well."
Brittany Schlorff (Hatboro, Pa./Hatboro-Horsham) - Catcher/Shortstop ... four-year member of varsity softball team ... led team to second-place finish in PIAA state championship in 2006 and a third-place showing in 2007 ... Suburban 1 All-League selection at shortstop in 2006 (honorable mention) and 2007 (second team) ... four-year member of bowling team ... Suburban 1 honorable mention in 2008 ... member of National Honor Society ... student representative on the strategic planning committee ... played travel softball with Hatboro-Horsham Banshee's and currently plays with the Sellersville Belles ... attends same high school as for Bison softball player Jennifer James '07 and was coached by her father, Lou.
Rakosik on Schlorff: "Brittany continues the tradition of having Hatboro-Horsham alums in our program. She comes from an unbelievable high school program and knows how to win. In addition, her versatility will give us a threat at numerous positions as well as in the batter's box!"
Kaytlin Senatore (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) - Pitcher ... has played travel softball for the Morris County Belles and West Jersey Witches Gold ... chosen for Who's Who in softball ... honor roll student ... member of Kiwanis Leadership Program ... K.E.Y. Club member ... one of five siblings.
Rakosik on Senatore: "Kaytlin has pitched in every major tournament in the country, so she is battle-tested and will be a great addition to our program and pitching staff. She is a hard-nosed player who isn't afraid of hard work."
Alicia Wheeler (Scottsdale, Ariz./Paradise Valley) - Catcher/Outfield ... honorable mention all-region selection in softball ... helped travel team, Americans Gold, to 2007 ASA 18U state championship ... three-year member of varsity softball team at Paradise Valley High School ... also spent one year on track squad ... four-year member of marching band ... was drum major for two years ... member of National Honor Society and the Society of Women's Scholars.
Rakosik on Wheeler: "Alicia is very strong behind the plate and is a force on offense. Additionally, she is a well-rounded person who will fit in well with the young women already in our program."
