Colgate softball head coach Melissa Finley has announced the eight first-years that will join the Raiders as the Class of 2020. The eight new Raiders come to Colgate from five different states and bring with them accomplished athletic and academic pedigrees.
“I am really excited about this incoming group of athletes,” said Finley. “Not only are they all very athletically talented, but they are also outstanding people that will represent Colgate Softball well. I was able to recruit a mix of speed, power and consistency that will add some depth and ultimately give us a better chance of being successful this spring. They are an extremely competitive group of athletes who want to win and I am looking forward to taking the field this year with the energy that such a large class can bring.”
#1 Blake Brackett – OF – Vienna, Va./James Madison High School
Before Colgate: Brackett comes to Colgate from James Madison High School where she hit .452 with a .628 on-base percentage as a senior to earn All-Region and All-Conference honors. She helped lead her team to a runner-up finish in the 2016 Virginia 6A Championship by hitting .750 in the postseason with an .875 on-base percentage. Brackett graduated as a four-time All-Conference player and was listed as one of FloSoftball’s “Hot 100 2016’s”. Off the field, Brackett was a member of the Athletic Honor Roll for all four years of her career.
Finley on Brackett: “Blake will add some speed to the base paths for us this year. I expect her to create some offense for us and help us to close the gap on some of those close one-run games.”
#2 Jessica Hay – P – Rolling Hills Estates, Calif./Palos Verdes Peninsula
Before Colgate: A two-time team MVP of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Hay compiled a 1.65 ERA in the circle while also hitting .421 as a senior to earn first team All-League and honorable mention All-Area honors. She earned her high school’s Captain of the Year award following her senior campaign in addition to being a nominee for the Softball Athlete of the Year. Hay was involved in a number of school organizations including National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, the Mu Alpha Theta Math National Honor Society and Principal’s Advisory Council Board.
Finley on Hay: “Jessica has the potential to be a very dominant pitcher in our conference. She has command over her pitches and is a true competitor that will bring some stability to the circle for us.”
#4 Jordan Miller – OF – Oviedo, Fla./Hagerty
Before Colgate: Miller will come to Colgate from Oviedo, Fla. where she helped guide her Hagerty High School team to three district championships, two regional titles and a pair of Florida Final Four appearances. Miller’s .403 batting average and 24 RBI during her senior campaign led her to All-State and All-Conference honors as her team went 21-3. Miller graduated as a three-time All-Conference and three-time Academic All-State honoree. She was also a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish, Science, English and Math National Honor Societies.
Finley on Miller: “Watching Jordan throughout the recruiting process, she has continued to really impress me with her development. She has one of the strongest outfield arms I have seen in a while and has an outstanding work ethic. The sky is the limit for her.”
#20 Virginia Irby – C/UTL – Henrico, Va./Douglas Southall Freeman High School
Before Colgate: Irby hails from Henrico, Va. where she was a three-time team captain of Douglas Southall Freeman High School. She was twice named her team’s Defensive Player of the Year in addition to earning Offensive Player of the Year and MVP honors. A four-year All-Conference honoree, Irby was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Finley on Irby: “Virginia has a presence on the field that just tells you she means business. She is a flat out athlete that knows and understands the game at a very high level and I see her being a utility player who will see most of her time behind the plate.”
#23 Nicole Rounsavill – INF – Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North
Before Colgate: A two-time captain and MVP at Council Rock North, Rounsavill put together an outstanding senior season in which she led the Suburban One League with a .569 batting average and eight home runs to earn League Player of the Year honors. She was touted as a second team All-State shortstop, first team All-Area, first team All-Southeastern PA and the Bucks County Courier Times Player of the Year following her standout senior campaign. Rounsavill, a four-year starting shortstop, was also recently elected to the Newtown Rock Softball Association Hall of Fame and finished her career as a two-time All-State and All-League selection. Strong off the field as well, Rounsavill was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Athletes Helping Athletes Club.
Finley on Rounsavill: “Nicole is one of the most well-rounded athletes I have ever recruited. She will bring quickness to the left side of the infield, a consistent bat and leadership qualities to this program.”
#27 Brittany Bendel – P – Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota
Before Colgate: A right-handed pitcher out of Sarasota, Fla., Bendel helped guide her Sarasota High School team to a state runner-up finish and district and regional championship in 2015 to earn All-Area Pitcher of the Year and first team All-State honors. Bendel hurled 14 complete games and picked up 10 wins in 127 innings pitched as a senior in 2016. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club.
Finley on Bendel: “Brittany is a hard-throwing, down-ball pitcher that I have a lot of confidence in. I see her making an immediate impact and as a quick learner she will only continue to develop.”
#28 Cayman Coughlin – INF – Woodland Hills, Calif./Chaminade College Prep
Before Colgate: Coughlin will come to Colgate from Woodland Hills, Calif. where she was a two-time first team All-League member of the Chaminade College Preparatory School. She hit .453 with a .767 slugging percentage as a senior to earn her team’s Offensive Player of the Year award. Off the diamond, Coughlin earned the Scholar Athlete award in all four years of her career and was a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club.
Finley on Coughlin: “Cayman is another all-around athlete who’s work ethic really stands out to me. She will push herself and those around her to be better and is another consistent hitter to add to our line up. I am really looking forward to seeing her confidence grow as we go throughout the year.”
#94 Sabrina Odierno – INF – Cold Spring Harbor/Cold Spring Harbor
Before Colgate: A four-time All-Conference and three-time All-County selection, Odierno will come to Colgate from Cold Spring Harbor High School. Odierno hit .797 with 44 RBI, 27 runs scored, 21 doubles and a 1.609 slugging percentage during her senior season to lock up her second-straight team MVP honor and earn second team All-Long Island recognition. Odierno was also a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and Locks of Love Club.
Finley on Odierno: “Sabrina will add some power from the left side to our line up this year, which I am really excited about since we have been making an effort to add more left-handed hitters. She is another very hard working individual who will also push those around her and I expect her to have an outstanding career here.”