Hofstra University Athletics

HOFSTRA SIGNS THREE PLAYERS IN FALL SIGNING PERIOD

12/8/2009 1:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Softball team signed three players to national letters of intent during the early signing period, it was announced today by Head Coach Bill Edwards.

The three players are infielder Nicole Hagerty (Sicklerville, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), utility player Tori Rocha (Rehoboth, MA/Dighton-Rehoboth) and infielder Jessica Zeilman (Newfield, NJ/Delsea Regional).

"We are very excited to sign three players in the fall who will fill our needs for this class," said Edwards. "They have power, they have speed, they have athleticism, and they are players who have played at a very high level who should be able to transition into college softball relatively quickly. And the best part is that they are all very excited to come here."

Hagerty, who also plays summer ball for the Jersey Inferno, was named to the Newark Star-Ledger All-South Jersey team last year. She led Gloucester Catholic to a South Jersey championship, helping her team defeat top-seeded Red Bank Catholic 2-1 in 10 innings.

"Nicole could be scary good," said Edwards. "She has tremendous pop in her bat. She's a line drive hitter, but she also can hit the ball a mile at the same time. She also has an infectious enthusiasm for the game. She just loves to play, and she's a good enough athlete to play any position on the field.

Rocha, who is also a member of the Rhode Island Thunder, batted .473 with 39 runs scored for Dighton-Rehoboth last year. She led her team to a South Coast Conference title, with an undefeated record in league play. She was named to the SCC All-Star team and was an all-scholastic selection by the Fall River Herald.

"Tori will give us tremendous athleticism with her speed and her ability to play multiple positions," said Edwards. "She is just the consummate softball player. She's a tough out at the plate with her speed and hitting ability, and you can plug her in anywhere in the field and she can contribute right away,"

Zeilman, who also plays for the Jersey Outlaws, can play either first base or third base. She hit .551 with 43 hits and 30 runs batted in for Delsea last year, leading her team to the sectional finals and a South Jersey Group III title. She also won a 2007 New Jersey USSSA championship, and was the MVP in the NSA New Jersey state championship game.

"Jess has big-time pop in her bat," said Edwards. "She's the type of player who gets her money's worth in every swing. She really gets into the batter's box and looks to attack the ball. You need to have hitters like her in your line-up, who pose a big-time threat every time they step up to the plate."

The three players will join the Pride in the fall of 2010 as members of the Hofstra Class of 2014.

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