Softball Announces Four Additions in Class of 2018
9/24/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall University head softball coach Paige Smith has announced four student-athletes will join the Pirates for the 2015 season as members of the Class of 2018. Smith's second full recruiting class at The Hall features four versatile athletes that possess the ability to play several positions.
Suiting up for the Pirates this spring will be pitcher and infielder Alannah Basile (Levittown, N.Y.), utility Sara Foster (Long Beach, Calif.), utility Alysa Prukop (Coto de Caza, Calif.) and infielder Alexis Walkden (Cibolo, Texas).
"I would say the biggest strength of the three position players we were able to bring in this year is that they play every position, they are true utility players, you can put them anywhere and know they are going to do their job," said Smith. "All four provide power and foot speed, and I am excited to see what they will contribute to our program."
Basile excelled at the plate and on the mound in four seasons at Island Trees High School. She finished her career with a .381 average, 83 RBIs and 45 runs scored, posting a 49-15 record at pitcher with a 2.30 earned run average. Basile was a three-time All-Nassau County selection and was tabbed as the Nassau County Pitcher of the Year in 2012.
Her career highlights include tossing three no-hitters and recording a school-record seven RBIs in a game. Basile played club ball for the Long Island Pride (2012-14) and the Long Island Express (2014).
"Alannah has size and power, with a great presence on the mound," said Smith. "I think a lot of people underestimated her coming out of high school and I am excited to see her prove herself to the other teams in the region. She is consistently hitting the mid 60's during her bullpen sessions and we are expecting her to mature into one of our starters."
Foster is a talented utility player out of Millikan High School in Long Beach, Calif. She received a multitude of accolades during each of her final three varsity seasons, as she was named First-Team All-League and the Press Telegram Co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and Second-Team All-League in 2011 and 2013.
Foster helped lead Millikan to a fourth-place finish in the CIF Division 2 playoffs in 2012 and 2013 and played her club ball with the Firecrackers from 2011-14.
"Sara Foster is a speedy lefty, and we are already working on trying to turn her into a triple-threat lefty, getting her to swing away as well as developing her short game," Smith said. "She has the ability to shoot the gap, is one of the fastest players on the team, and as a fielder has a tremendously quick release. Sara has great range, good mechanics, and came from one of the best travel ball programs in the country."
With a career average of .325, Prukop was a three-time All-Trinity League selection at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. As a junior, Prukop led Santa Margarita in RBIs and was selected for the Orange County Coaches High School Senior All-Star Game in 2014.
She was a four-year competitor for OC Elite 18 Gold during the club season, competing in the 18 Gold ASA Nationals in 2011 and 2013. During the 2013 campaign, Prukop hit .583 to help OC Elite capture the ASA 18U Gold state title.
"Allie Prukop has some of the best hand-eye coordination I have seen in a long time," said Smith. "She consistently puts the ball in play and is a great reactionary player. I think this will be a great year for her to learn the game, and I think that over the course of her career she will make contributions in the outfield and the infield."
Walkden excelled at Byron P. Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas, where she capped off her career as a First-Team All-State selection as voted by coaches and media. She broke every Byron P. Steele offensive record over the course of her four seasons and hit .553 with 42 RBIs and 44 runs scored during her senior year.
During the club season, Walkden played three years with the Texas Bombers and joined Impact Gold in 2014, helping them place third at the Colorado Fireworks Super 64 and fifth at the Triple Crown Nationals.
"Allie Walkden plays third base like Meredith Henze, which is one of the things that made us very excited about her potential," said Smith. "At the plate, we are expecting her to add some power and depth to our lineup. She closes ground well in the infield and displays quick feet with the ability to play first, third, and a little bit of middle infield."
Additionally, the Pirates will also welcome the return of senior Paige Caraway (Dozier, Ala.), who missed all of the 2014 season due to injury, but should return as a key contributor in the rotation.
At Gulf Coast Community College in 2013, Caraway struck out 103 batters, hit .303 and slugged .494 with four home runs. Out of Straughn High School in 2011, Caraway was named First-Team All-State.
"Paige Caraway is going to make an impact this year," said Smith. "She has a ridiculous amount of power at the plate, is consistent in her swings and is a competitor. She has been rehabbing the injury that kept her out last season, and we have already seen her velocity increase. She has a lot of movement on the ball and we are excited to have a power pitcher that throws left handed."
