Rutgers Softball Signs Five to National Letters of Intent
Jun 04 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Five high school standouts have signed national letters of intent to further their academic and athletic careers as members of the Rutgers University softball team, head coach Jay Nelson has announced. Kylee Bishop (Tacoma, Wash.), Lindsey Curran (Monroe Twp., N.J.), Holly Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.), Brittney Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) and Mikelyn Messina (Prospect, Conn.) will compete for the Scarlet Knights beginning in the 2009 season.
Bishop, a four-year varsity starter at catcher for Washington High School, was a three-time team MVP and captain. She was also an all-league second team selection as a freshman and sophomore and a first team pick as a junior and senior. In addition to softball, Bishop played four years of varsity soccer, serving as team captain her junior and senior year and was an all-league first team choice as a senior. She took home league MVP and team MVP honors as a senior. Bishop also competed as a wrestler, earning state championships in both her junior and senior seasons.
"Kylee is a multi position athlete that catches, plays outfield and shortstop," said Nelson. "She is an extremely enthusiastic athlete that loves to play the game. She is the kind of athlete who loves diving for balls and is very active and vocal on defense. She exhibited great body balance in the games we. She has great foot work and a super release for a catcher. Kylee's enthusiasm, hustle and talent should strengthen the Scarlet Knight softball program both physically and mentally."
Curran, a four-year varsity starter at shortstop for Monroe Township High School, served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. As a junior, the squad won the Greater Middlesex County Conference Championship and was the runner-up for the Central Jersey Group-III Championships. Also as a junior, Curran garnered recognition as a third team all-state selection by The Associated Press and a second team all-state Group-III selection by The Star-Ledger. She was a two-time all-Middlesex County selection, including first team honors as a junior and was an all-area pick on two occasions. She played two seasons of varsity basketball and competed in club softball with the New Jersey Breakers Gold for the past three seasons.
"Lindsey is one of the top recruits in New Jersey," said Nelson. "She plays for the New Jersey Breakers Gold and is an outfielder that has been nearly flawless on defense. Her speed gives her the ability to track down anything catchable in center field. She played shortstop for her high school and will add depth to our infield. On offense she is an experienced hitter who has had a great deal of success versus 18 and under gold teams. As a No. 2 hitter in the lineup Lindsey has the combination of both speed and power which will make an immediate impact on our program."
Johnson, a native of Cheektowaga, N.Y., competed scholastically at Culver Girls Academy in Indiana. Prior to attending Culver, she competed at Amherst Central High School in New York. While at Amherst, she set a school record with 21 strikeouts in a game as a freshman and also captured every individual bowling record. At Culver, Johnson established a school record with 30 strikeouts in a game and an Indiana state record with 11 RBI in a game. She played her club ball with the Amherst Lightning from 1999-2007, winning the 2006 PONY National Championship. Johnson also set the PONY Nationals record for no-hitters.
"During one of our recruiting trips to watch Holly pitch in her state tournament she demonstrated her enormous talent and potential," said Nelson. "The game that lasted 19 innings, she struck out 30 batters and did not allow a run. Holly is a left hander and a power pitcher. She has command of the rise ball, drop ball and change-up. We are expecting great things from Holly as she will add depth to our already talented pitching staff."
Lindley, a third baseman at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, is the younger sister of current Scarlet Knight pitcher Nicole. Lindley played her first varsity softball game as a seventh grader, winning New York State Championships in 2004 and 2006. An all-league Pitcher of the Year in 2007, she was named to the CNY first team in 2005, 2006, and 2007. An experienced club athlete as well, Lindley played with the Renegades travel softball team and the T.C. Tremors Gold from 2005-08. She also played with the Lady Chiefs Softball team from 2006-08 and was named the Preseason Player of the Year in 2008. In addition, Lindley was a three-year varsity volleyball player, serving as team captain during her junior year.
"Brittney is an extremely gifted athlete who is great on both defense and offense," said Nelson. "In the recruiting process we believed she was the best infield recruit in northeast. Brittney is a left-handed hitter with great speed and power who led off for her travel team. Brittney will join her sister, pitcher Nicole who will be a junior next year for the Scarlet Knights. We expect Brittney will have an immediate impact on the success of the 2009 Rutgers softball team."
Messina, a four-year varsity starter at Woodland Regional in Connecticut, played a number of positions in high school, including catcher, third base and as an overall utility. She was a three-time all-Naugatuck Valley League selection and served as team captain during her junior and senior seasons. Messina received the Most Valuable Defensive Player Award as a junior and also earned Athlete of the Week recognition on a number of occasions during her scholastic career. She played club softball with the Panthers Gold, earning MVP honors at the Montreal International Softball Challenge. Messina was also a four-year member of the cross country team and three-year basketball player.
"The first thing that one senses about Mikelyn is her confidence and determination on the softball field," said Nelson. "In recruiting Mikelyn we noticed that she leads by example and her play is infectious. She is a team leader who in the next four years will help the Scarlet Knights reach new heights. She is a power hitting catcher who also plays shortstop and third base. Not only does she hit for power but for average too. She also exhibits great arm strength and we are very pleased that Mikelyn has chosen Rutgers to continue her education and playing career."
Nelson will enter his third season at the helm of the Scarlet Knight program in 2009 with a balance of experienced veterans and a new crop of youthful talent.
