LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Rider University Softball Head Coach Davon Ortega has announced the signings of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2019-20 academic year. Alyssa Ansara (Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne), Amanda Cooper (Huntsville, TX/Huntsville), Chaela Crowder (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley), Elena Gonzalez (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge), Bri Koonce (Warminster, PA/William Tennent) and Amelia Sims (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) have each made written commitments to join the Broncs next season.

"I am thrilled to introduce the class of 2019 to the Rider community," said Ortega. "This class brings the power, speed, intensity and grit that we need to truly change the face of Rider Softball. Each of them embraces the mindset of the new era of Rider Softball and they know what it takes to win and they understand what it's going to take to get us to the next level."

Alyssa Ansara
Shortstop/Centerfielder
Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne
B/T: L/R
 
A two-time All-District and All-League selection, Ansara also earned First Team All-Mirror and 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. She hit .442 last year, collecting 38 hits, 33 runs, 12 RBI's and 12 stolen bases.  

Ortega on Ansara: "Alyssa will add a ton of speed to our offensive lineup as well as a versatility to be interchangeable between infield and outfield. Just like all the others in this class, Alyssa plays the game with intensity and passion and she knows what it takes to win with a laid-back personality, which will balance out the rest of the 2019 class well."
 
Amanda Cooper
Outfielder
Huntsville, TX/Huntsville
B/T: L/R
 
Cooper is a three-time All-District selection, earning Second Team in 2016 and 2017, before taking First Team honors in 2018. She was the Newcomer of the Year in 2016, Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and earned a State All-Star nomination in 2018. She's also achieved in the classroom, earning Academic All-District three times.  

Ortega on Cooper: "Amanda Cooper is the whole package. She is intense in her approach to the game, she is speedy but she also drives the ball with such power that she is a true triple threat at the plate. Amanda has an incredible sense for playing the outfield and she almost invites runners to try to test her arm. I am excited to see how her outstanding personality guides her to lead Rider Softball for the next four years."

Chaela Crowder
Catcher
Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley
B/T: R/R

Crowder was named First Team All-Coastal Canyon League and Team Offensive Player of the Year. She was also team captain and earned the Coaches Award. She hit .402 with a .424 on-base percentage.

Ortega on Crowder: "From the first moment I saw Chaela, I knew she was the type of player we wanted to build our program around. Chaela plays the game at another level. She is a true gamer who packs a ton of offensive power and the ability to keep anyone from stealing bases against her."

Elena Gonzalez
Utility
Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge
B/T: L/R
 
Gonzalez is a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and two-time All-Region pick. She also earned Second Team All-State in 2016. Gonzalez also played for 18u Rock Waye, which won the 2018 ASA National Championship.

Ortega on Gonzalez: "Elena is a true five tool player. She has the versatility to play any position on the field extremely well, has superior speed on the bases, and she has one of the smoothest and most consistent swings I've seen. Elena has the game smarts to make immediate adjustments and she brings a passion for the game that makes her unstoppable."
 
Bri Koonce
Infield/Utility
Warminster, PA/William Tennent
B/T: R/R
 
Koonce is a three-time All-Suburban One selection, earning First Team honors last season after taking Third Team as a sophomore and Honorable Mention as a freshman. She was a PONY National Champion in the summer of 2015 and was Team MVP as a junior.

Ortega on Koonce: "When it comes to softball Brianna is all business. She is a constant student of the game and is constantly striving to make her game better. Each and every time I watch her play I know that she doesn't take a single pitch off during a game. Bri brings an intensity and passion about the game and winning that I think will help to lead this program to another level."
 
Amelia Sims
Outfielder
Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West
B/T: L/R

Sims is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Cherry Hill West, twice earning All-Conference. She's also earned the Most Improved and Coaches Awards.  

Ortega on Sims: "Amelia is the player that always finds a way to make things happen. She is small but packs a powerful punch and she consistently gets on base. Amelia bleeds cranberry and white and her infectious energy and love for the game and Rider are going to do tremendous things to help lead our program in the right direction."