Softball Announces 2012 Recruiting Class
12/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall softball head coach Ray Vander May has announced the signing of six recruits to National Letters of Intent to play for the Pirates beginning in 2012. The class includes outfielder Sam Demasi (Lockport, Ill.), pitcher Danielle Destaso (Congers, N.Y.), outfielder Whitney Jones (Skowhegan, Maine), pitcher Casey Moses (Lower Burrell, Pa.), first baseman Jordan Moses (Lower Burrell, Pa.), and catcher Kaylyn Sanbower (Lewisberry, Pa.).
Demasi's Lockport Township high school team has won regional and sectional championships the past three seasons. She posted a .366 batting average in 2010 while boasting .996 fielding percentage, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Demasi plays travel ball for the Orland Park Sparks and Joe Tholl.
"Sam is a terrific outfielder that will provide our team with some needed speed with us losing Michelle Reed and Nalin Bennett to graduation next year," Vander May stated. "She is an outstanding lefty slapper and a top student in the classroom. I believe she will keep us all loose in the dugout when she isn't giving the other teams fits running the bases."
Destaso is her high school team's MVP and posted a miniscule 0.96 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 109 innings of work in 2010. She is also a gifted hitter, boasting a .529 batting average and slugged 1.043.
"Danielle is a pitcher that was born to lead," Vander May stated. "She leads by example and is one of the finest human beings I have ever met in the recruiting process. When she is not pitching, she can be found playing shortstop with the best of them. Danielle is also a very powerful hitter who hits to all fields."
Jones is an all-state shortstop, who will play the outfield for the Pirates. She was nominated for the KVAC Player of the Year and was a conference first-team member in 2009 and 2010. Jones plays summer ball for Lynn Coutts with the Frozen Ropes, where she was a teammate of current Seton Hall pitcher, Hannah Hill.
"Whitney is a five-tool player who we have recruited to play the outfield for us," said Vander May. "Whitney will have a major impact on our program and I believe she is as dedicated as they come."
Casey Moses is a decorated player, who was named News Dispatch Player to Watch in 2009 and 2010. She is a three-time Pittsburgh Post Gazette Softball All-Star and was featured in ESPN's RISE Magazine in 2008. A senior at Burrell high school, her team placed second in WPIAL and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs in 2010. Moses posted a record of 18-4 with a 1.30 ERA and recorded 221 strikeouts and hit for a .310 batting average.
"Casey Moses, simply put, is a pitcher who can dominate a softball game," Vander May said. "She throws several pitches and throws very hard. Casey also is a tremendous hitter whose bat should help us immediately."
Casey will be joined by her twin sister, Jordan, a power-hitting first baseman. She hit over .350 and led the team in RBI with her high school squad, helping them to a second place finish in the WPIAL in 2010. Both Casey and Jordan play summer ball for their father, Tom Moses, and the Pittsburgh Predators.
"I believe Jordan will hit a lot of home runs in a Pirates uniform," Vander May said. "She is an outstanding and dedicated young lady both on and off the field."
Sanbower is a four-year starter at Red Land High School and was an honorable mention selection for the Mid-Penn All-Star Team in 2008 and 2009. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and plays club softball for the Central PA Krunch, coached by Tod Whitman.
"I love the way Kaylyn frames pitches and gets strikes for her pitchers," said Vander May. "She is a very intelligent young lady in the classroom and I believe that will translate to her calling a great game on the field."
The Seton Hall softball team begins the 2011 season at the Elon Invitational on Friday, February 18.
