Softball Program Welcomes Five from Princeton's Class of 2024

A five-member freshman class will join the Princeton softball program from the university's Class of 2024.

Here's a look at the newcomers:

Cade Bade graphic

Cate Bade
Middle IF/OF • R/R • 5-2 • Plano, Texas • Plano Senior • Club: Glory Adkins

DFW All Metroplex Team 2020 with DFW Fastpitch ... USA Softball JO Cup second place 2019 with Glory Adkins ... helped Plano Senior to third-place state tournament finish in 2018 ... three-time second-team all-district by district coaches ... four-time academic all-district ... four-year varsity starter.

Bade on Princeton: I chose Princeton not only because of the great education and beautiful campus, but because of the people. The caring and supportive atmosphere of people made the decision to choose Princeton easy.

Head coach Lisa Van Ackeren on Bade: "Cate is a highly competitive middle infielder with a true love of the game that makes her a great fit in the culture of our program. Her speed on the bases and footwork on defense bring strength and depth to our middle infield positions. Cate played for some of the most talented club and high school teams in Texas and we look forward to seeing how that experience translates to her time in a Princeton uniform."

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Molly Chambers graphic

Molly Chambers
P • R/R • 5-11 • Evanston, Ill. • Evanston Twp. • Club: Illinois Chill

IHSA all-state 2019 ... three-time all-conference in the CSL ... all-area selection by the Chicago Tribune and Pioneer Press as a sophomore and junior ... school's career record holder in home runs (23) and strikeouts (581), and single-season strikeouts (216) and game (17) ... team's offensive MVP in 2019.

Chambers on Princeton: I chose Princeton because I want to attend a school that challenges me both academically and athletically. Princeton is a special place. I knew it was a perfect fit as I got to know the coaches and the team. I am really excited to attend Princeton and join the softball family.

Van Ackeren on Chambers: "We're excited for what Molly will add in the circle during her college career. She brings great presence to the mound and will be a vocal energy force for our team. Molly has pitched against some of the best hitters in the country and it has allowed her to develop into a commanding arm who executes consistently. She has the capacity to take our program to the next level."

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Grace Jackson graphic

Grace Jackson
Middle IF/OF • L/R • 5-4 • Berwyn, Pa. • Academy of Notre Dame de Namur • Club: PA Chaos 18U Gold Spina

Won her school's Spirit Award in 2020 ... club team won the 2019 Triple Crown national championship ... named first-team all-county in 2019, second-team all-county in 2018 and honorable mention all-county in 2017, and was a first-team All-Main Line pick in 2018 and 2019 ... three-time all-conference ... won her high school team's MVP award in 2017 ... four-year honor roll and four-year student council rep.

Jackson on Princeton: From my first visit to campus, Princeton has felt like home. I believe that Princeton provides the best platform for me to continue my education and to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics. Also, the sense of community between the students, faculty, alumni, and coaches is something that I am looking forward to being a part of. I cannot wait to get to school as soon as possible.

Van Ackeren on Jackson: "Grace is a hard-working slapper and infielder who brings a special level of competitive fire to Princeton Softball. She plays confidently and has experience at multiple defensive positions around the infield. Her dynamic approach as a slapper at the plate will be an asset for us right away."

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Lauren Pappert graphic

Lauren Pappert
C/UT • L/L • 5-2 • Kansas City, Kan. • Piper • Club: Select Fastpitch

Second-team all-conference pick as an infielder in 2018, first-team all-conference as a catcher in 2019, and second-team all-state as a catcher in 2019 ... Kansas Scholar in 2020 and a four-year scholar honoree at Piper ... won first place in a Kansas Scholastic Press Association photo contest and second place in a KSPA cutline writing contest.

Pappert on Princeton: When I began my college search journey, there were a few important requirements in my mind. The college I chose must not only challenge me academically and athletically, but had to have the potential to become my home away from home. After a summer of contact with the coaches, I was already excited for all Princeton had to offer me as a student and athlete. When I stepped on campus, my excitement only grew. After meeting so many amazing people and having the opportunity to experience Princeton first hand, my decision was final. In that moment, I knew I had found the perfect place to spend the next four years.

Van Ackeren on Pappert: "An out and out lefty, Lauren is a catcher/first baseperson who hits for both power and for average. She is a student of the game and will positively impact our program with her skill set as well and her leadership and character in the bullpen. We're excited to bring her passionate style of play to Princeton."

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Lauren Sablone graphic

Lauren Sablone
OF • R/R • 5-8 • North Reading, Mass. • Austin Prep • Club: Raiders Softball

Six-year varsity athlete ... Central Catholic League Scholar-Athlete Award honoree ... 2019 Massachusetts Division 3 state champion ... helped Austin Prep to three state championship appearances and four Division 3 North titles ... had the team's top batting average in 2019, at .603 ... finished with 68 career stolen bases ... four-time Boston Globe all-star ... was also a track standout, earning four indoor Central Catholic MVP honors, and a state Division 5 title and a New England title in the 55 meters and 300 meters ... selected as the Globe's 2020 indoor track and field Athlete of the Year ... earned the Globe's and Boston Herald's All-Scholastic designations in track and field ... was a seven-time Globe indoor track all-star ... was a 2018 and 2020 indoor track and field national qualifier ... member of Austin Prep's Headmaster's Medallion Society and earned four years of Academic Distinction.

Sablone on Princeton: I chose Princeton because of the way it makes me feel so at home every time I step onto campus. While I always dreamed of being an Ivy League student-athlete, Princeton has already given me more than I ever imagined. The people I have interacted with so far at Princeton are just so genuine that they have given me the confidence that I'm in the right place. I chose Princeton for the countless resources that are provided for student-athletes there and for the way it makes me feel so well taken care of. I'm not even there yet, and I'm confident that Princeton is my life-long home.

Van Ackeren on Sablone: "Lauren has a unique combination of strength and speed that make her an offensive threat in multiple ways. She hits for power, but as a track star in high school, also brings a set of wheels on the basepaths that speak to who we aim to be as an offensive team. Lauren plays a good outfield, and above all, exhibits a level of dedication and consistency that raise everyone's standards."

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Despite graduating a four-member senior class that included two multi-time Ivy League honorees in shortstop Allison Harvey and left fielder Megan Donahey along with catcher Alex Colón and pitcher Caroline Taber, Princeton is able to return its two innings leaders in the circle from the abbreviated 2020 season in rising sophomore Alexis Laudenslager and rising senior Allie Reynolds, plus rising junior Ali Blanchard.

In the field, Princeton is able to return nine of the 12 players who played in at least six of the eight games on the shortened season. Rising sophomores Serena Starks and Adrienne Chang were each hitting .500 or better when the season ended.

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