Rutgers Softball Inks Three Standouts
Dec 07 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Dec. 7, 2009) – The Rutgers softball team signed three athletes for the 2011 season, head coach Jay Nelson announced Monday. The class of 2014 includes a pitcher, first baseman and outfielder.
“All three athletes are very good, both on the field and in the classroom,” said Nelson. “That is something we look for, and I am excited about these additions to our team.”
Alexis Durando hails from Oakland, N.J., where she attended Immaculate Heart Academy. Primarily a first baseman, Durando can be used at a number of positions. A three-year letterwinner, Durando earned First Team All-League and Second Team All-County as a junior and sophomore. The Oakland, N.J. local plays for the Heist club team after spending two years with the N.J. Pride. Durando is also an outstanding student, earning Academic Honor roll for two years in high school and intends to become a physician’s assistant.
“Alexis is a very good player that plays first base, but she can play other positions as well,” said Nelson. “She is a great fielder and has a .989 fielding percentage – a great percentage at any level you play. She also has knowledge of the game. She always knows what to do with the ball – especially in first and third situations. She goes to IHA, which is one of the better softball powers in the state, as well as a great academic institution.”
Shaakira Samad – a Brentwood, N.Y. product – led Brentwood High School to a State Championship. On that team, Samad earned All-Conference and Umpire’s All-Tournament honors. The team – that also won the Long Island, County and Division Championships – named Samad the Most Improved Player. The outfielder plays for the Long Island Express club team after spending time with the Team Titan New York and Long Island Xplosion. She was named the MVP of all three teams.
“Shaakira has power and speed, which is a good combination,” said Nelson. “She can go get the ball in the outfield and we saw her hit a few home runs in some gold tournaments. She is going to be a good addition to our outfield.”
Megan Williams rounds out the incoming 2011 group. The Richmond, Va. native is a right-handed pitcher from Monacan High School. A three-year All-District pitcher, Williams led the Chiefs to a Dominion District Championship as a sophomore. The magna cum laude student boasts an outstanding 4.89 GPA and earned the West Point Leadership award. She intends to major in evolutionary anthropology at Rutgers.
“Megan is an outstanding pitcher from Virginia,” said Nelson. “She likes to pitch inside, throws hard, and throws the rise ball. She will be a great addition to our staff. Megan will contrast our other two pitchers – Abbey (Houston), who is a drop-ball pitcher, and Holly (Johnson), our lefty.”
The Scarlet Knights begin the season in Tempe, Ariz. at the Arizona State Tournament. Among the participants will be Women’s College World Series participant Arizona State, NCAA Tournament qualifiers Iowa and Texas State, as well as Illinois State.
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