College Softball
Broncs Add Two
LAWRENCEVILLE--Head coach Tricia Carroll of the Rider University softball team has announced that Kim Valdes and Alison Meagher have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their academic and athletic careers as members of the Class of 2016.
Valdes, a 5-4 infielder and catcher, comes to Rider from Jupiter, Florida (King's Academy), where she batted .505 as a senior, leading her team to the District 12-3A championship with the Lions advancing to the 3A regional final.
"Kim will be a nice left-handed power bat in the lineup," said Carroll. "She is a catcher that I suspect will challenge for a starting spot particularly with her bat."
Named a First Team All-Area honoree by the Palm Beach Post, Valdes compiled 16 doubles, four triples, and two home runs (.802 slugging percentage) to go along with 21 runs scored and 36 RBI.
As strong as Valdes was on the field, she was equally as strong in the classroom, compiling a 4.15 grade point average.
Meagher, a 5-10 right handed pitcher from Clark, New Jersey (Arthur L. Johnson High School), earned four varsity letters in softball and was the team captain in 2012 as the Lady Crusaders won the Union County conference title for the second year in a row.
"Alison is a hard throwing pitcher who will add depth to our staff," Carroll said. "She has the potential to break into the starting rotation and I know she will work hard and be a positive addition to our team."
As a senior, Meagher earned High Honor Roll academic honors all four marking periods and earned All-Conference honors as a junior.
Meagher also earned four varsity letters in swimming.
Valdes and Meagher join Dana Sensi (Allentown, New Jersey), Montana Berg (Danville, California), Emily Cottrell (Beachwood, New Jersey) and Samantha Judd (Thousand Oaks, California) who signed NLIs in January.
"The 2016 class has lots of offensive potential with power and speed," Carroll said. "We were looking to improve our offense with this class and I think we have done that. I am anxious to see the batting order this fall."
Rider returns 14 letterwinners for the 2013 season.
-RU-
