Princeton University Athletics
Ali Blanchard, Madison Hamilton and Haley Hoffman will join the Princeton softball team from the Class of 2022.
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Softball Team Adds Three from Class of 2022
July 10, 2018 | Softball
The Princeton softball program will add three members of the incoming Class of 2022, head coach Lisa Van Ackeren has announced:
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Ali Blanchard - #21, 5-10, P/UT, R/R
Hometown/High School:Â Lincoln, R.I./Moses Brown
• R.I. Interscholastic League (RIIL) 2018 Division I state champion
• R.I. Gatorade Player of the Year 2018
• Providence Journal Bulletin Player of the Year 2018
• Providence Journal Bulletin first-team all-state 2017, 2018
• RIIL first-team all-state 2017, 2018
• National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) 2017-2018 Academic All-AmericanÂ
• National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Easton Fastpitch Scholar Athlete 2018
• 2018 Varsity Captain
• RIIL second-team All-Division II 2016
• RIIL first-team All Division II 2015
• Selected to RIIL All-Star Game 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Set school record with 17 strikeouts in a game, doing so once in seven innings and once in six
Travel Team:Â Team Long Island Gold
Why Princeton? – "The moment I stepped onto Princeton's campus I immediately fell in love. It is a place that I know will challenge me both academically and athletically. Playing Division I softball was always a dream of mine, and upon meeting the coaching staff and learning about the program, I knew it would it be the perfect place to grow as a person and player over the next four years."
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Madison Hamilton - #25, 5-4, OF/IF, R/R
Hometown/High School:Â Corona, Calif./Santiago
• National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Spectrum SportsNet Championship Drive Scholar Athlete
• Four-year varsity letter-winner for softball, two-year varsity team captain
• Four-time Big VIII League All-Academic Team
• 2015 Big VIII League Champion
• Stu-Penter All-Tourney Team 2016
• Torrance All-Tourney Team 2017
• Selected to 2018 Inland Empire County High School All Star Team and played in Inland Empire v. Orange County All Star Game
• Four-time recipient of Santiago Softball Highest Individual GPA Award
• Santiago's Outstanding Leadership in Softball Award 2017
• Two-time recipient of Santiago's Hustle and Heart Award 2017, 2018
Travel Team:Â Courage (Weaver)
Why Princeton? "Princeton undoubtedly offers the perfect balance of high-quality academics and Division I athletics, but what truly drew me to Princeton was the welcoming community and family-like atmosphere. When I stepped on campus for the first time, I immediately knew that I could make this place my home. I am continually amazed by the Princeton culture. Every person I have met, student and alumni alike, has expressed their immense pride in being a Tiger. I cannot wait to be part of this amazing community and experience for myself the honor of being a Princeton Tiger."Â
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Haley Hoffman - #23, 5-8, IF, R/R
Hometown/High School:Â West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens
• Four-year varsity letter winner, team captain 2018
• Three-time Scholar-Athlete honoree
• Palm Beach Post first-team all-conference 2017
• Sun Sentinel all-county honorable mention 2017
• Palm Beach Post first-team all-conference 2018
• Sun Sentinel all-county honorable mention 2018
• Palm Beach Post Aal-area honorable mention 2018
• 2018 district champions
• 2018 team MVP
• Selected to Florida Athletic Coaches Association High School All Star GameÂ
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Travel Team:Â Lady Gators Jackson
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Why Princeton?
"From my first time on campus, I fell absolutely in love. The ability to have the combination of elite academics and competitive Division I athletics at one school was truly a dream come true. The opportunities and experiences I will have on and off the field at Princeton the next four years will last a life time. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to represent one of the most prestigious universities in the world and cannot wait to get started this fall."
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Ali Blanchard - #21, 5-10, P/UT, R/R
Hometown/High School:Â Lincoln, R.I./Moses Brown
• R.I. Interscholastic League (RIIL) 2018 Division I state champion
• R.I. Gatorade Player of the Year 2018
• Providence Journal Bulletin Player of the Year 2018
• Providence Journal Bulletin first-team all-state 2017, 2018
• RIIL first-team all-state 2017, 2018
• National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) 2017-2018 Academic All-AmericanÂ
• National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Easton Fastpitch Scholar Athlete 2018
• 2018 Varsity Captain
• RIIL second-team All-Division II 2016
• RIIL first-team All Division II 2015
• Selected to RIIL All-Star Game 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
• Set school record with 17 strikeouts in a game, doing so once in seven innings and once in six
Travel Team:Â Team Long Island Gold
Why Princeton? – "The moment I stepped onto Princeton's campus I immediately fell in love. It is a place that I know will challenge me both academically and athletically. Playing Division I softball was always a dream of mine, and upon meeting the coaching staff and learning about the program, I knew it would it be the perfect place to grow as a person and player over the next four years."
Â
Madison Hamilton - #25, 5-4, OF/IF, R/R
Hometown/High School:Â Corona, Calif./Santiago
• National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist
• AP Scholar with Distinction
• Spectrum SportsNet Championship Drive Scholar Athlete
• Four-year varsity letter-winner for softball, two-year varsity team captain
• Four-time Big VIII League All-Academic Team
• 2015 Big VIII League Champion
• Stu-Penter All-Tourney Team 2016
• Torrance All-Tourney Team 2017
• Selected to 2018 Inland Empire County High School All Star Team and played in Inland Empire v. Orange County All Star Game
• Four-time recipient of Santiago Softball Highest Individual GPA Award
• Santiago's Outstanding Leadership in Softball Award 2017
• Two-time recipient of Santiago's Hustle and Heart Award 2017, 2018
Travel Team:Â Courage (Weaver)
Why Princeton? "Princeton undoubtedly offers the perfect balance of high-quality academics and Division I athletics, but what truly drew me to Princeton was the welcoming community and family-like atmosphere. When I stepped on campus for the first time, I immediately knew that I could make this place my home. I am continually amazed by the Princeton culture. Every person I have met, student and alumni alike, has expressed their immense pride in being a Tiger. I cannot wait to be part of this amazing community and experience for myself the honor of being a Princeton Tiger."Â
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Haley Hoffman - #23, 5-8, IF, R/R
Hometown/High School:Â West Palm Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens
• Four-year varsity letter winner, team captain 2018
• Three-time Scholar-Athlete honoree
• Palm Beach Post first-team all-conference 2017
• Sun Sentinel all-county honorable mention 2017
• Palm Beach Post first-team all-conference 2018
• Sun Sentinel all-county honorable mention 2018
• Palm Beach Post Aal-area honorable mention 2018
• 2018 district champions
• 2018 team MVP
• Selected to Florida Athletic Coaches Association High School All Star GameÂ
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Travel Team:Â Lady Gators Jackson
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Why Princeton?
"From my first time on campus, I fell absolutely in love. The ability to have the combination of elite academics and competitive Division I athletics at one school was truly a dream come true. The opportunities and experiences I will have on and off the field at Princeton the next four years will last a life time. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to represent one of the most prestigious universities in the world and cannot wait to get started this fall."
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