Princeton University Athletics
Softball Adds Depth To Roster With Six Incoming Freshmen
August 24, 2005 | Softball
Aug. 24, 2005
PRINCETON, N.J. - Six players will join the Princeton Softball Class of 2009, as announced by Head Coach Maureen Barron. Half of the class will travel cross-coast from California, while the other three are from PA, N.J. and Canada. The freshmen include an outfielder, two catchers, two versatile utility players and an infielder. The six student-athletes are Jackie Araneo, Larkin Brogan, Erin Miller, Brianna Moreno, Samantha O'Hara and Kathryn Welch.
"We are thrilled to announce our incoming class of freshmen," says coach Barron. "As a whole this class is extremely athletic and well rounded, adding great depth to our roster. They bring power, speed, smarts and great upside. All six student-athletes have played at a very competitive level and come from very successful programs. They each have specific talents but are also multidimensional and will allow for many options in our lineup."
Araneo attended The Montclair Kimberley Academy in Union, N.J., where her softball team was a three-time Parochial B State Champions. Araneo was a two-time All-State honoree, whom earned the Female Scholar Athlete Award. Araneo also lettered in field hockey.
"Jackie is a strong player, who has great instincts for the game. She hits for power at the plate and has great hands in the infield. She will compete for time in the infield and brings power to our lineup," notes Barron.
Brogan is a graduate of Polytechnic School in Pasadena, Calif., where she was the four-year starting catcher for her softball team. A three-time first team All-Prep League and three-time first team All-San Gabriel Valley selection, she was the 2005 co-MVP of her team. She also earned All-League honors for volleyball and soccer. A member of the Southern California Stealth travel team, Brogan is a two-time Prep League and Polytechnic School Athlete of the Year.
Coach Barron says that, "Larkin is a terrific athlete and has great knowledge of the game. She is a very smart catcher and is a great addition to our bullpen staff. She is a strong hitter and an all-round athlete who will see time behind the plate and possibly in the outfield, as well." Miller is a graduate of La Canada High School in La Canada, California. She is a four-time All-Rio Hondo League honoree, two-time All-San Gabriel Valley selection and the 2005 La Canada High School CIF Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. Miller played for the Southern California Stealth for six years and made four appearances in the ASA Nationals.
"Erin adds good speed and instincts to this class and is a nice utility player. She will compete for time in the outfield and middle infield."
Moreno is an outfielder from Orange County, California. As the 2005 MVP of her Lutheran High School team, she was named to the All-CIF and All-Empire League first teams with a .419 batting average. Moreno played for the Irvine Sting for three years and placed seventh at the ASA Nationals with the Gordon's Panthers in 2004. The left-handed batter is a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Leadership program and an IGNITE Student Mentor.
"Brianna is extremely athletic and brings great speed to the outfield and basepaths. She is a triple threat at the plate and we are looking for her to help increase our short game," adds Barron.
O'Hara hails from Birchmount Park Collegiate in Toronto, Ontario. A catcher for the Scarborough Spirit travel club, she has participated in the Canadian Nationals four of the past five seasons, winning two gold medals and two silver medals. This past season, her team earned an automatic berth into the Nationals in Ile-Perot Québec. A 2005 member of Team Ontario, she spent the summer playing in the Canada Summer Games. O'Hara earned the 2003 MVP award at Nationals and from her high school. She was also a letterwinner in field hockey and volleyball.
"Samantha does a great job behind the plate and has a very strong throwing arm. She hits for power and we expect that she will do a great job working with our pitchers and compete for time behind the plate," commented Barron.
Welch is from neighboring Yardley, Pa., where she attended Pennsbury Highschool and led her team to the 2005 State Championship. Welch earned the PA Gatorade Player of the Year and Bucks County Courier Player of the Year honors. A three-time All-SE PA first team member, she currently holds two school records for seasonal batting averages. A member of the National Honor Society, she also played field hockey and ran indoor track.
"Kathryn was initially recruited to play the outfield for us and since then have seen her play a terrific middle infield. She can do it all and swings a great bat too and is versatile enough to compete for time in a few places," says Barron.
Coach Barron also adds that, "The Class of 2009 joins a wonderful team of talented young women and we are looking forward to being a part of their growth and success over the next four years."
The 2005 Princeton Softball team finished with a 36-20 record, winning the Ivy League for the third time in four years. The Tigers advanced to the NCAA Softball Tournament and won their first Tournament game in nine years with a 3-1 victory over Lehigh.