For the first time ever, New York University will field a varsity softball team this spring.
Head Coach
Now-Allah James leads the squad after serving at the helm of Lehman College in 2014. He will be assisted by
Cassie Vondrak,
Olivia Calcagnini and
Rachael McMahon.
NYU will field a small squad in its first season, featuring just five upperclassmen.
Senior
Becky Laitman, who will compete for time at catcher and throughout the infield, will be relied on for "her leadership and exemplary work ethic," according to James. Fellow senior
Caitlin Ryan will be relied on offensively, while competing for time at first base and catcher.
The team's other upperclassmen are juniors
Kahala Bonsignore, who will see the majority of time at shortstop,
Marisa Bella, a member of NYU's 2012-13 women's basketball team who will compete for starting time at first base and in the outfield, and
Lauren Parnaby, a native of Australia who transferred from Division I University of Hawaii and will play in the infield and outfield.
Freshman
Sage Scheiwiller is the squad's top pitcher. When not in the circle, she will play second base. Sophomore
Rachel Fulton, a true "utility" player, will see time in almost every contest and will start at second when Scheiwiller is on the mound.
Sophomores
Val Schwein and
Sabrina Casseus both played at NYU-Poly last season. Schwein will start behind the plate, while Casseus will vie for a starting outfield spot. Another sophomore,
Molly Webber – a member of NYU's club team last season – will start at third.
Freshmen
Colby Tarsitano and
Natalie Evans will also contribute. Tarsitano will start in the outfield, while Evans will see significant time at first, in the outfield and at pitcher.
"We're going to be young, but I believe the sky is the limit," James said. "How quickly the team grows together will determine the amount off success we have, and they seem to have gelled very quickly. I expect us to finish very strong as the season progresses."
NYU opens its inaugural season on Saturday, March 7, in Clermont, FL, against Elizabethtown College. The Violets face Montclair State University in a doubleheader for their home-opener on March 21. NYU will play its home contests at the Bahoshy Softball Complex in the Bronx, on the campus of Division I Fordham University.
