Syracuse softball class of 2016
Softball Announces Signing Class
11/22/2011 1:45:28 PM | Softball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University head softball coach Leigh Ross has announced the signing of four players to National Letters of Intent to play softball beginning in 2012.
Danielle Chitkowski, Riley Johnson, Elyssa LaBaron and Corinne Ozanne will join the Syracuse softball team as freshmen next fall with four full years of eligibility.
“This is a very athletic class and they are going to give us depth in the middle infield,” Coach Ross said. “Offensively, they are going to be impact players. The thing I sense with this class is that they have a championship mentality; they are hungry, and that's what I like most of all.”
Hailing from Glen Ellyn, Ill., Chitkowski is a dual threat in the circle and in the field. She was her conference's MVP and an all-state selection in 2011. Throughout her high school career, Chitkowski threw four no-hitters for Glenbard South, and led the Raiders to three conference and three regional championships. She holds the single-season record for homeruns and runs scored at Glenbard.
Chitkowski has pitched ten no-hitters for her travel team (Glen Ellyn Phillies), which won the 2009 USSSA “A” World Series in Orlando, Fla. She was voted to the All-World Series Team for her efforts.
Johnson played her high school ball for Greece Athens in Rochester, N.Y. A six year starter and a two-time team MVP, Johnson was named the 2011 Class AA Player of the Year.
While at Greece, Johnson hit .404 for her career and batted an impressive .514 with 25 RBI in 2011. Johnson is also a member of the National Honor Society and is on the Student Council.
LaBaron is a five year varsity starter at shortstop and a first-team all-conference selection in all five of those years. The Elmira, N.Y. native hit four career walk-off homeruns and recorded 32 stolen bases in 2011.
LaBaron was also a member of the NSA, ASA and PONY NYS title winning teams during travel ball. In 2007, she was the NSA National Qualifier MVP for hitting .455 with three homeruns and 18 stolen bases.
Ozanne was a four year starter for Southern Lehigh and the team MVP in 2011. She guided her team to the Colonial League Championship while earning Lehigh Valley Player of the Year.
The Allentown, Pa. native is the school record holder for homeruns, batting average, on base percentage, walks and stolen bases. She also holds the record for most RBI's in a single game.
“These girls want to be here. When they get here, they will already know what we're all about because they have been to our camps and they have watched our games,” Ross said. “They know it is the right the fit and they are going to hit the ground running. They expect to win and they will outwork everyone to get what they want.”
Danielle Chitkowski, Riley Johnson, Elyssa LaBaron and Corinne Ozanne will join the Syracuse softball team as freshmen next fall with four full years of eligibility.
“This is a very athletic class and they are going to give us depth in the middle infield,” Coach Ross said. “Offensively, they are going to be impact players. The thing I sense with this class is that they have a championship mentality; they are hungry, and that's what I like most of all.”
Hailing from Glen Ellyn, Ill., Chitkowski is a dual threat in the circle and in the field. She was her conference's MVP and an all-state selection in 2011. Throughout her high school career, Chitkowski threw four no-hitters for Glenbard South, and led the Raiders to three conference and three regional championships. She holds the single-season record for homeruns and runs scored at Glenbard.
Chitkowski has pitched ten no-hitters for her travel team (Glen Ellyn Phillies), which won the 2009 USSSA “A” World Series in Orlando, Fla. She was voted to the All-World Series Team for her efforts.
Johnson played her high school ball for Greece Athens in Rochester, N.Y. A six year starter and a two-time team MVP, Johnson was named the 2011 Class AA Player of the Year.
While at Greece, Johnson hit .404 for her career and batted an impressive .514 with 25 RBI in 2011. Johnson is also a member of the National Honor Society and is on the Student Council.
LaBaron is a five year varsity starter at shortstop and a first-team all-conference selection in all five of those years. The Elmira, N.Y. native hit four career walk-off homeruns and recorded 32 stolen bases in 2011.
LaBaron was also a member of the NSA, ASA and PONY NYS title winning teams during travel ball. In 2007, she was the NSA National Qualifier MVP for hitting .455 with three homeruns and 18 stolen bases.
Ozanne was a four year starter for Southern Lehigh and the team MVP in 2011. She guided her team to the Colonial League Championship while earning Lehigh Valley Player of the Year.
The Allentown, Pa. native is the school record holder for homeruns, batting average, on base percentage, walks and stolen bases. She also holds the record for most RBI's in a single game.
“These girls want to be here. When they get here, they will already know what we're all about because they have been to our camps and they have watched our games,” Ross said. “They know it is the right the fit and they are going to hit the ground running. They expect to win and they will outwork everyone to get what they want.”
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