LORDS SOFTBALL LOADING UP WITH RECRUITS

June 24, 2015

recruits

Durham Lords Media Release
Friday, June 26, 15


Lords softball loading up with recruits


OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College women’s softball head coach Jim Nemish is always looking for new talent to build a championship contender. 2015 has been no exception for the long-time bench boss as he announced five key recruits will be joining the Lords this fall.

“With the signing and commitment of these players to the softball program, I feel that we have added depth and character while strengthening our team in a number of positions both defensively and offensively,” said Nemish.. “We have addressed the issues of depth for our team at certain positions and added some character and leadership to help take us to the next level.. All of our recruits are outstanding individuals and bring something different to the table, but they all have that common goal of wanting to win and get better.”

REBECCA ROPP
Shortstop

Rebecca Ropp of Stratford will shore up the shortstop position for the Lords defensively, allowing Tara Robinson move back to her natural position at second base. The early childhood education major played for the Milverton AW Millwrights the past three seasons where the team has had tremendous success. In 2014, they won silver medals at both the U18 Tier II Qualifier and Tier II Grand Championship, where she was named tournament MVP. Her teams also won gold in the 2012 Bantam II Grand Championship and 2013 U18 Tier II Qualifier.

COACH’S COMMENTS
“Rebecca is an outstanding player she has been the starting shortstop for Milverton playing there as a bantam when I first saw her. Rebecca brings a lot of energy, determination and hustle to the game as she always plays hard. We look for her to be a leader and her offensive skills are high as she is a contact hitter with some power.”


MEGAN MCDONALD
Pitcher/Outfielder

Megan McDonald of Brampton will bring a combination of pitching and hitting to the team this upcoming season while enrolled in the advertising and marketing communications program. McDonald has previously played in the Brampton Girls Softball Association for the Brampton Blazers the past 10 years. In 2014, she had a breakout year at the plate an astounding .680 batting average as the team went on to win a silver medal at the PWSA qualifier.

COACH’S COMMENTS
“As a pitcher Megan hits her spots and is very effective and the coaching staff feels that she adds a lot of potential to our staff. As an outfielder Megan gets a good read and jump on the ball and is always in a good position to make the play. Megan has long ball ability at the plate and hits the ball hard which will give us some more consistency to our lineup.”


CHLOE CRAWFORD
Catcher/Utility

Catcher Chloe Crawford of Mississauga has spent the previous three years playing for Brampton, where her team won a silver medal in the 2014 season at the PWSA qualifier. In 2012 playing with Bramalea, her team won the Peel Halton Girls Softball Association (PHGSA) championship, a silver at the PWSA qualifier and bronze at the PWSA provincials.

COACH’S COMMENTS
“I have watched Chloe for the past two years and she works very well with her pitchers. She is a very intense individual and brings great character to the program. Her coach (John Scalia) had nothing but positive compliments regarding Chloe. Chloe is a contact hitter and has speed on the bases. She not only a catcher but she can also fill in at second base and in the outfield, which will be of great value to a team.”



MARINA CHRISTIE
First Base/Outfielder

Durham added some depth at first base with the signing of Marina Christie of Pickering. In 2014 playing with the Heat, she won silver medals in the CNE and Mississauga tournaments. She was always a threat at the plate posting a .342 batting average while making a number of strong defensive plays, keeping the opposition off of the base pads. Christie will be enrolled in the human resources program this fall.

COACH’S COMMENTS
“Marina is a good contact hitter and has a power bat as we look for her to hit in the middle of our order. She also brings leadership and character to the team. Marina recently attended the National Junior Identification Tryout Camp so we look for her to bring that experience and leadership to the team.”


EMMA CHASE
Pitcher/Outfielder

Emma Chase of Peterborough will be looking to earn a spot in the Lords starting rotation as she is majoring in sports administration this fall. Playing the previous two years with the Cobourg Angels, her team won a silver medal at the tier II provincials and another at the eastern Canadian championship in Prince Edward Island. This season, she is playing with the highly touted Whitby Eagles softball team in the PSWA.

COACH’S COMMENTS
“Emma has experience as she attended a National Championship with the Cobourg Cougars two years ago as a bantam. Her experience of playing at a high level will be an added bonus for her at the college level. Emma is very calm and poised on the mound for a young pitcher.”


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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)

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