Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Softball Announces Class Of 2008
June 15, 2004 | Softball
June 15, 2004
Princeton, N.J. - The Princeton softball program has announced the Class of 2008, which includes a first baseman, right-handed pitcher and middle infielder from three different parts of the country. The 2004-05 Tigers hope to regain the Ivy League title with the help of incoming freshmen Beth Dalmut (Springfield, Va./Bishop Ireton), Kristen Schaus (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier) and Lauren Bierman (Irvine, Calif./ Tarbut V'Torah Day).
"The addition of the Class of 2008 will add tremendous character and depth to our team," head coach Maureen Barron said. "Like our returning players, they are driven and determined to take this program back to the top of the league."
Dalmut will compete for the starting first-base position following the graduation of four-year starter Kristin Del Calvo. She was a four-time all-conference selection and captain of her high school team since her freshman year. A leftie, Dalmut set a school record with 49 RBIs in her first year and led her team to a conference championship as a junior, when she also received all-state honors. She was named honorable mention All Met by the Washington Post in 2003 and 2004, and was selected as the Alexandria Sportsman Club Player of the Year in 2003.
A three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball for all four years, Dalmut earned the Bishop Ireton Female Athlete of the Year award, Booster Club Female Player of the Year award, "Excellence in Athletics" award, United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete Award.
Off the athletic fields, Dalmut excelled as her senior class vice president and salutatorian and was involved with a missionary to Haiti, music and journalism.
"I am more excited about playing for Princeton next year than anything I have ever done," Damlut said. "The simple thought of putting on the orange and black uniform sends butterflies to my stomach. It is something I have always dreamed of getting the chance to do."
Schaus, a right-handed pitcher from Florida, will join what is arguably the Ivy League's best pitching crew behind Melissa Finley, Erin Snyder, Calli Varner and Amelia Runyan. Schaus was a four-time MVP of her high school team and a three-time first-team all-state selection.
"Schaus is a very smart pitcher with great command of her pitches," Barron said. "She has good velocity and great movement."
Schaus was the Southwest Florida Player of the Year in her first two seasons and the Naples Daily News Player of the Year as a junior and senior while leading her team to three state final four appearances. She also played basketball, ran cross country and worked on the yearbook.
Rounding out the trio of incoming freshmen is Bierman, the eighth player from California on the 2004-05 roster. Bierman was named the Tarbut V'Torah team MVP and best offensive player in 2004 and hopes to use her bat to help the Princeton offense.
"I am so excited to become a Tiger," Bierman said. "I can't wait to step on the field and contribute to having a successful season."
Bierman will compete for time at shortstop and second base. She currently plays shortstop for the New Jersey Pride 18-and-under gold team and formerly played for the Fresno Force 18-and-under gold team that placed seventh at ASA Nationals.
"Bierman loves the game and is a tough competitor," Barron said. "She is a tremendous athlete and should have immediate impact."