Softball Signs Two During Early Signing Period

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Greg Pellegrino, Sports Information Director
gpellegrino@holyfamily.edu


Philadelphia, Pa. - The Holy Family University softball team will welcome two new members to the team in 2014 as third-year head coach Davon Ortega announced the signing of two future Tigers during the early signing period. 
 
Ortega has brought in Brianna Scotto from West Babylon, N.Y. and Bailey Walters from Ridgecrest, Calif.
 
“We are very excited about Bailey and Brianna joining our program next season,” said Ortega. “This duo is highly athletic and powerful and has a strong passion for the game. These two know how to win and they are going to be outstanding additions that will elevate our program to the next level.”
 
Scotto attends West Babylon Senior High School and has been on the varsity softball team since the eighth grade.  She has also competed on the varsity basketball team since her freshman season.  This year, Scotto will serve as team captain of the softball team for the third straight season.  She earned All-Division honors as a freshman and received All-County honors her sophomore and junior seasons.  Through her junior season, Scotto has compiled a .481 batting average to go along with 35 doubles, 15 triples, eight home runs, 114 runs, 41 walks and 104 RBI. 
 
"From the first time we saw Brianna play, we wanted to see her in a Holy Family uniform,” said Ortega. “Brianna is a pure athlete - strong, fast, and has incredible instincts. She can play anywhere on the field and she can hit for power and average. Brianna also brings a strong sense of team leadership and has a positive impact on her teammates. We cannot wait to get Brianna on the field with our team and to watch her work her talent."
 
In the classroom, Scotto is a member of the National Honor Society and has received High Honor Roll recognition from 9th-11th grade.  She is also involved in a number of clubs at West Babylon, including the Leaders Club, DECA, Leo Club and SADD.  In addition, Scotto is also a peer mediator and a math tutor.
 
Walters will come to Holy Family from Burroughs High School.  She is a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain of the softball team.  During the course of her career, Walters has earned MVP honors her sophomore and junior years as well as earning All-League first team honors her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.  In addition, Walters was named to the Sultana All-Tournament team during her sophomore season.
 
"Bailey brings an abundance of energy, passion, and competitiveness to our team,” said Ortega. “Her commitment and discipline to get better everyday, will help her make an immediate impact on our pitching staff and become one of our top offensive game-changers. Bailey will be the key to making our pitching staff more well-rounded and balanced. When she's not pitching, she will provide us with defensive versatility as she can play any position well. Her offensive power will make her one of the top RBI hitters in our lineup.”
 
In the classroom, Walters sports a 3.80 grade point average, which is in the top five-percent of her class.  She was named to the California Scholarship Federation for three years and is the junior editor of the Yearbook. 
 
“I chose Holy Family because it is a small, Christian university where I can get a good education and play softball with some great coaches and student-athletes,” said Walters.  “I knew I belonged at Holy Family when I came for my official visit as the atmosphere was so comfortable and friendly.  The girls were all so nice and welcoming and made me feel like I already belonged.  Coach Ortega and Coach Treon are so nice and I know I will learn a lot from them since they have great plans for the softball team.  Holy Family also has a Biochemistry and a pre-vet program where I will get lots of attention as the class sizes are small.  I think going to Holy Family will be a great experience for me academically, spiritually and athletically.”
 

  - HFU -