LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Rider University Softball Head Coach Davon Ortega has announced the commitments of Jackie Cal (Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit) and Caitlyn Danovich (Simi Valley, CA/Agoura) for the 2019-20 academic year. The additions of Cal and Danovich bring this coming year's recruiting class to eight members, as 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) had each made written commitments to join the Broncs this past Fall.

"I am excited to welcome Jackie and Caitlyn to Rider," said Ortega. "These two are going to be strong additions to an already outstanding freshman class. The depth and passion they each bring to being a part of the change of Rider Softball is going to help make the 2020 season a very exciting one."

Jackie Cal
Pitcher
Castle Rock, CO/Regis Jesuit
B/T: R/R
 
Cal led Regis Jesuit to its first-ever state tournament appearance as a senior and pitched the Raiders past the second-ranked team in Colorado with 18 strikeouts and no earned runs allowed in nine innings. She was a three-year All-Conference player and earned All-State as a senior. She also earned Defensive Player of the Year twice and was named Academic All-State. She compiled a 2.50 ERA and 162 strikeouts in the circle as a senior, while also hitting .412.   

Ortega on Cal: "Jackie is a hard-throwing pitcher with a very cerebral approach to the game, which is going to help her be successful at the collegiate level. Not only will she provide depth to our pitching staff but her enthusiasm to be a Bronc will provide us with a refreshing, new excitement on the mound. I cannot wait to strategize and work with Jackie to take her pitching to the next level."
 
Caitlyn Danovich
First Baseman
Simi Valley, CA/Agoura
B/T: R/R
 
Danovich was a four-year All-League selection at Agoura High School, earning Honorable Mention in her first three years, before taking First Team recognition as a senior. She also earned her team's Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Ortega on Danovich: "Caitlyn is going to give us some much needed depth at first base. Defensively she is quick, agile and very fundamentally sound. Her bat is going to add more consistency and offensive production to our lineup. What's perhaps most exciting is how much Caitlyn embraces the "new era" mindset and her passion to be a part of our softball family, which is going to help guide this team to change."