Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University softball team announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLI) Tuesday as part of its 2020 recruiting class.
"We're excited about the 2020 class," head coach
Jexx Varner said. "These young women replace a senior class that have been major contributors over the past few years, and we're confident that they can step in and help this program from day one. As the future of this program continues to be molded, these student-athletes will play a major role in our future success."
Included among the latest recruits is one pitcher, two infielders, two outfielders, a student-athlete that can play both the infield and outfield as well as one that has logged time as a catcher and outfielder.
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A closer look at each of the new Colonials …
Julia Ehrman
OF
Cranberry Township, Pa. / Seneca Valley
Notes: Three-year member of varsity squad at Seneca Valley High School … Hit .351 in 2019 with nine stolen bases and 18 runs scored … Also recorded an on-base percentage of .493 and a slugging percentage of .476 … Three-time all-section honoree, including second team in 2017, first team in 2018 and honorable mention in 2019 … Member of Passion Softball travel squad … Passion claimed 2019 title at the 2019 USSSA Freeze-Out.
Quotable: "Julia's speed grabbed my attention immediately, but it is her energy and determination on the field that sold us as a vital part of the future of the program," Varner said. "We can't wait to see her development and how fast she will make the game for the opposition."
Jane Garver
Pitcher
Ligonier, Pa. / Ligonier Valley
Notes: Has compiled a 1.68 career era in three seasons at Ligonier Valley … Named the
Indiana Gazette Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and 2019 … A three-time Indiana Gazette All- Star (2017, 2018, 2019) … Named to the 2019 Terrific 10 by the
Tribune-Review … Owns a career batting average of .356 through three seasons with the Rams … Member of the Ohio Outlaws travel team.
Quotable: "Jane is a great addition to our pitching staff, as her stuff mixes well with our returning pitchers," Varner said. "She has pitched against some of the best teams in the country over the past few years and understands what it will take to be successful at the Division I level."
Charlotte Grover
INF/OF
Woodinville, Wash. / Woodinville
Notes: Earned a 2019 Golden Glove for Woodinville … Helped guide the Falcons to the 2017 Washington State Championship by being named 2017 MVP … Member of the Washington Voodoo Rhinehart Travel Team … Helped lead Voodoo to NSA state championship and ASA state championship, both in 2016.
Quotable: "Charlotte really hit her stride in the last year and still has more growth in her game," Varner said. "She has the tools to make an impact in the infield right away or provide depth in the outfield. Offensively, she will provide consistency with the potential for pop."
Allison Lowery
INF
Uniontown, Pa. / Laurel Highlands
Notes: Three-year starter for Laurel Highlands, leading the team in batting average, on-base percentage and stolen bases each of her three years with the program … Has been the starting varsity shortstop for the Mustangs since her freshman year … Member of the Ohio Outlaws travel team … In four years for the Outlaws has compiled a .391 career batting average.
Quotable: "Allison is going to be a versatile piece to our 2020 class," Varner said. "She will provide additional power to our roster and has the ability to play multiple infield positions. She has also played against some of the best teams in the country and comes from a very strong travel team that will have her prepared for Division I softball."
RELATED: Robert Morris Announces 2020 Schedule
Faith Miller
INF
Scottdale, Pa. / Southmoreland
Notes: Hit .470 with four home runs and 12 doubles in 2019 with the Scotties … Selected as Southmoreland 2019 Defensive Player of the Year after not committing an error for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage … Helped guide Southmoreland to the 2018 WPIAL championship … Member of the Ohio Outlaws travel team … Hit .360 for the Ohio Outlaws in 2019.
Quotable: "Faith is gritty, scrappy and a dirt dog," Varner said. "She will make an immediate impact on our roster with her play but also with her attitude and approach. Defensively, she is a vacuum wherever you put her and offensively she plays much bigger than her size."
Catalina Saxen
OF/C
East Patchogue, N.Y. / Patchogue-Medford
Notes: Three-year starter for Patchogue-Medford High School … Named the 2017 Rookie of the Year for the Raiders … Earned all-division accolades as both a sophomore and junior … Plays travel ball for Team Long Island … Also a three-year starter as a goaltender for the women's soccer program at Patchogue-Medford, earning all-county accolades as a senior in 2019 and being named the Division I Goalie of the Year.
Quotable: "Catalina is a student-athlete whose passion for the game and Robert Morris will help her make an impact," Varner said. "She plays the game the right way and works hard, which means that her development will continue to make her a better student-athlete."
Kinsey Ventura
OF
Amelia, Ohio / West Clermont
Notes: Three-year starter for the Wolves, earning all-conference first team honors as a sophomore (2018) and twice being named to the all-conference second team (2017, 2019) … In 2019 posted a batting average of .463 and led West Claremont to the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) championship … As a sophomore hit .523 to earn honorable mention all-state honors … Member of the Cincy Doom travel squad.
Quotable: "Kinsey comes to us from another talented travel organization with potential for high-level consistency and pop from the left side," Varner said. "She moves well in the outfield and has a strong arm that will help this program right away."
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Robert Morris opens its 2020 campaign by taking part in the Blue Hose Invitational in February. The Colonials will take on Norfolk State Friday, Feb. 7, at 10:00 a.m. to open the season and will also take on host Presbyterian at 2:45 p.m.
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