Softball Class of 2023 Announced

Softball Class of 2023 Announced

STANDISH, Maine – Co-Head Coaches Jamie Smyth '92 and Dick Bailey are pleased to announce the Saint Joseph's College softball Class of 2023.

The softball freshman class features eight players from five different states – including the 2019 Miss Maine Softball honoree and 2019 New Hampshire D1 Player of the Year – and brings depth and talent to the Monks' lineup and pitching staff.

The 2023 class figures to help replace the production lost when four-year players Melodie Bailey (Lebanon, Maine), Meghan Elliott (Mendon, Mass.), Katie Chadbourne (Jaffrey, N.H.), and Danielle Pinkham (Damariscotta, Maine) graduated last May. This quartet combined to hit .305 (372-1220) with 239 runs, 67 doubles, 10 triples, two home runs, and 181 RBI while swiping 37 bases combined over the last four seasons.

"Every year we strive to bring in a class that features talented, high character individuals who bring a strong work ethic and ability to adjust quickly to the college game," adds Coach Smyth. "The 2023 class hits the mark on all of these attributes and we expect many – if not all – of these players to have an immediate impact on our program."

Under the watch of Co-Head Coaches Jamie Smyth '92 and Dick Bailey last spring the Monks went 13-23 overall with an 8-8 record in conference play. As the #3 seed in the GNAC North Division, St. Joe's recorded a lengthy run in the GNAC Tournament, as the Monks defeated #4N Norwich, 9-4, in the first round of the conference tournament and topped #2N Suffolk, 6-4 in 11 innings before falling to #1N Emmanuel, 4-2. Saint Joseph's then knocked off reigning champion Johnson & Wales in a losers' bracket game, 3-2, before suffering a season-ending 5-3 loss at the hands of #1S Simmons on May 4th.

 

SOFTBALL CLASS OF 2023:

Amaya Dacier
Major: Nursing
Position: Utility
Height: 5-2
East Providence, R.I. / East Providence High School

Why Saint Joseph's? Because they have an amazing program for my major and it's a great atmosphere around campus all the time.

High School: Participated in softball, indoor track & field, and tennis at East Providence High School…Selected as a team captain…Helped her team advance to the Final Four in the 2017 State Tournament…Class Vice President all four years and listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played club for Apponaug Pride Gold 16U for two years…Undefeated Rhode Island State Champions.

Community Service: Santa's Breakfast, Can Drives, Pennies for Patients

Personal: Amaya Mercedes Dacier, daughter of Sheila Oliver and David Dacier.

Emily Eagleston
Major: Medical Biology/Pre-PA
Position: P/OF/IF
Height: 5-6
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Reading, Mass. / Reading Memorial High School

Why Saint Joseph's? The campus is beautiful, and I love the atmosphere and where it is located

High School: Participated in softball and gymnastics at Reading Memorial High School…2019 Middlesex League All-Conference honoree…Hit .400 with a .500 OBP and a .917 slugging percentage…Belted seven home runs with four doubles, three triples, 20 runs, and 21 RBI…In gymnastics, garnered Boston Globe All-Scholastic and Boston Herald All-Scholastic accolades…Four-year competitor for Reading Memorial and a member of the Massachusetts High School National Team…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played club for the Boston Batbusters for six years…Also a 12-year member of the Reading Gymnastics Academy where she was a three-time State Champion.

Personal: Emily Ryan Eagleston, daughter of Kristen and Rich Eagleston…Her sister Megan is a rising junior on the Monks' softball team.

Brittany Faucher
Major: Fine Arts
Position: Shortstop/Third Base
Height: 5-3
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Wakefield, N.H. / Spaulding High School

Why Saint Joseph's? The welcoming environment and close-knit community were very important to me and persuaded me to choose Saint Joseph's!

High School: Played softball and basketball at Spaulding High School…2019 New Hampsire D1 Player of the Year...2018 D1 First Team All-State selection…Helped her team advance to a NHIAA Division 1 runner-up finish in 2018…Played club for the Rochester Slammers for five years, NH Comets for three years, and Seacoast Shock for one year.

Personal: Brittany Ann Faucher, daughter of Cristal and Frederick Faucher…Has one sibling, Dylan.

Sydney Hatch
Major: Nursing
Position: Pitcher/First Base
Height: 5-8
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Newburgh, Maine / Hampden Academy

Why Saint Joseph's? I liked the small community feeling and the small class size at Saint Joseph's. Every time I toured everyone was very friendly. Saint Joseph's also has a very good nursing program which was a big draw for me. A plus for me is being able to continue playing sports in college!

High School: Played softball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball at Hampden Academy…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played club for Maine Explosion and won multiple championships out of state.

Community Service: Big Brothers Big Sisters, volunteering at the local hospital

Personal: Sydney Amanda Hatch, daughter of Amanda and Chris Hatch…Has two siblings, Taylor and Jordan.

 

Olivia Howe
Major: Undeclared
Position: Shortstop/Third Base
Height: 5-6
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Arundel, Maine / Thornton Academy

Why Saint Joseph's? It's close to home and I love the atmosphere at Saint Joseph's.

High School: Played softball, volleyball, basketball and soccer at Thornton Academy…2019 Miss Maine Softball recipient...Three-time First Team All-SMAA selection…Also named Second Team All-SMAA and Honorable Mention during her career…Hit .655 with 32 RBI and 15 extra-base hits - including three home runs - while posting an 11-1 record with 106 strikeouts and a 1.94 ERA during her senior season…Member of the National Honor Society and listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played club for Southern Maine Flame for six years and  Maine Thunder for two years.

Community Service: Volunteering at nursing homes and elementary schools and with little league softball

Personal: Olivia Grace Howe, daughter of Lynn and Mark Howe…Has one brother, Zac.

Lauren Leidemann-Smith
Major: Nursing
Position: IF/OF/P
Height: 5-5
Bats: Right Throws: Right
South Berwick, Maine / Marshwood High School

Why Saint Joseph's? I chose Saint Joseph's College because of the nursing program and campus environment.

High School: Played softball, field hockey, and basketball at Marshwood High School…Two-time Seacoast All-Star…Team MVP as a sophomore and senior…All-Conference honoree and participant in the A/B All-Star Game…Hit .520 for her career with a .570 OBP…Member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society…Listed on the Academic Honor Roll…Played club for Maine Thunder 18U for three years.

Community Service: AAU Frenzy Softball assistant coach

Personal: Lauren Taylor Leidemann-Smith, daughter of Sherri and Sam Kenton.

Meranda Martin
Major: Nursing
Position: Outfield
Height: 5-3
Bats: Left Throws: Right
Richmond, Maine / Richmond High School

Why Saint Joseph's? I decided to attend Saint Joseph's College because of the great nursing program.

High School: Transfer from SMCC, where she stole 75 bases over two seasons…Played softball, basketball, and soccer at Richmond High School…Selected as the Softball Player of the Year all four years and the Soccer Player of the Year in 2017…Helped guide Richmond to State Championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and a Regional Championship in 2017…Also led her soccer team to four Regional Championships and the 2016 State Championship…Listed on the SMCC Dean's List in 2018 and 2019.

Personal: Meranda Sadie Martin, daughter of Gaye and Tony Martin…Has one sister, Leandra.

Meredith Pence
Major: Nursing
Position: Pitcher/First Base
Height: 5-4
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Remington, Va. / Highland School

Why Saint Joseph's? I really wanted to be in the New England area, so I really like where the school is located. I also wanted to be in a good nursing program and be a part of a competitive softball team.

High School: Played softball and field hockey at Highland School…Three-time First Team All-DAC Conference, DAC Conference Player of the Year, First Team VISAA All-State, two-time Defensive MVP…Helped her team advance to the VISAA quarterfinals all four years…For her career, hit .412 with a .540 OBP along with a 2.83 ERA and 350 strikeouts…Played club for Fauquier Freeze for five years and VA Legends for two years…Highest Honor Roll and member of the National Honor Society…Earned Academic Excellence honors in Environmental Science and Latin.

Community Service: Completed over 60 hours of community service in high school

Personal: Meredith Aliese Pence, daughter of Lisa and Mark Pence…Has one sibling, Hayden.

 

 

#GOMONKS

 

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Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy in Portland, Maine, Saint Joseph’s College is Maine’s Catholic liberal arts college in the Mercy tradition. We are inclusive of all faiths, including no faith. The 474-acre campus, located on the shore of Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine offers more than 40 undergraduate programs and a Division III athletic program to a population of approximately 1,000 on-campus students. A pioneer of distance education since the 1970s, the College also provides online certificates and undergraduate and graduate degrees for thousands more working adults who reside in more than 20 other countries. In 2015 the College was selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive its Community Engagement Classification, highlighting the College’s focus on community service throughout its mission and daily interactions within local, regional, and global communities. In 2018, Princeton Review recognized SJC as one of its “Green Colleges” for its sustainability initiatives. Learn more at www.sjcme.edu.