SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. Seton Hall softball head coach Ray Vander May announced the signing of four players to national letters of intent on Thursday. Middle-infielder Brittany Schillizzi (Paramus, N.J.), catcher Jamie Gates (Allentown, Pa.), pitcher Katelyn Stilwell (Portage, Wis.), and outfielder Michelle Reed (Columbus, N.J.) will arrive at the South Orange campus next fall.
“Overall, I’m very happy with this recruiting class, I think they are going to add to the depth that we already have.” Vander May said. “In particular, I really like the fact that we have two New Jersey athletes, it’s something we haven’t had in a while, and I think that’s really big for us as well.”
Schillizzi was named to the All-Bergen County First Team in 2006 after batting .545 with 28 RBI at Paramus High School. “Brittany is an infielder that we felt could strengthen our infield a little bit. She’s probably the smoothest infielder I’ve ever recruited.” said Vander May. “She has tremendous mechanics, she’s quick, and has a strong-arm. She only struck out only once in 77 at bats, and she hit .729 with runners in scoring position, so I like that. She’s a tough kid...the last time I saw her play, they thought she had appendicitis and she still played and was doubled over in pain, and she still came up with plays, and even got a base hit.”
Gates is a team captain at Salisbury High School. She hit .409 with a .443 slugging percentage last season. “I’ve never had a catcher with gigantic speed. She comes in with great speed, good arm solid contact hitter.” Vander May stated. “She’s a kid that almost wasn’t discovered, if this kid was playing on a more reputable high school team, she would have jumped up on the radar. I think she’s going to come in and she’s going to have a great shot to contribute as well.”
Stilwell helped lead Portage High School win the 2005 Wisconsin State Championship. She posted a 16-2 record, including 11 shutouts, an ERA of 0.60, and 182 strikeouts in 2005. Stilwell earned first team All-Conference, first team All-District, and third team All-State honors that season. “Kate is an outstanding pitcher who was under the radar because of an injury and nobody got to see her pitch last year. I think she’s going to be a dominating pitcher. She throws very hard and has a tremendous rise-ball.” Vander May said.
Reed batted .516 with 45 stolen bases and a .982 fielding percentage last season. She was named first team All-Group 3 (NJ) and second team All-State. “Michelle Reed is a phenomenal lefty slapper (slap-hitting) outfielder who has giant speed.” Vander May said. “She’s probably the fastest kid we’ve ever recruited at Seton Hall. I think as a freshman coming in, she will have an outstanding shot to get into our lineup with the skill she has.”
The Pirates are coming off a 29-27 record in 2006 and won consecutive BIG EAST titles in 2004-05. Seton Hall begins its 2007 spring season at the Louisville Slugger Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. in February.
