SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Fourth-year head coach Leigh Ross announced the signing of four student-athletes who will join the Syracuse softball team in 2010-11. The class includes Shirley Daniels (Newman, Ga.), Kealy McMullen (Kirkland, Wash.), Katie Pires (Mountainside, N.J.) and Jasmine Watson (Irvine, Calif.).
“Shirley, Kealy and Katie will be bringing a great deal of speed to the program and their job will be to create havoc on opposing defenses,” Ross said. “Jasmine, on the other hand, will be responsible for driving in runs. Overall, the 2010 class brings a ton of experience playing for some of the most recognized and successful ASA programs.”
With one senior on the 2009-10 squad, the 2010 signing class will build on an already solid foundation. The class includes three outfielders and catcher/first baseman.
Daniels is a three-year letter winner in the outfield at Georgia’s Cowden High School. Daniels hit .489 and had a .514 on-base percentage in 2009 while also recording 25 stolen bases and 20 RBI. A three-time all-county and all-region selection, Daniels garnered first team all state honors and was named Coweta County Co-Player of the Year following her junior season. She has furthered her softball experience with the Georgia Elite 18 Gold team, which has qualified for nationals in each of the past two years. A member of the National Honor Society, Daniels also competes in track and field and basketball.
“Shirley Daniels brings tremendous speed to the team,” Ross said. "She has switched to the left side of the plate within the past year to make the most of her speed, and will add to the aggressiveness of our offense. I envision Shirley to be a constant threat to opposing defenses, like the saying goes, ‘speed never goes into a slump.’”
McMullen is in her senior season at Lake Washington High School where she has batted .500 with more than 100 hits and 50 steals through three seasons while playing every inning of every game. During her junior season, McMullen hit .450 with 31 hits and 20 steals while never striking out. A two-year team captain, McMullen leads the Ladyhawks in on-base percentage while recording the fewest strikeouts on the team. McMullen earned team Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2009 while leading the team to the state championship for the first time in nine years.
“Kealy McMullen brings a combination of speed and power, she can not only slap and bunt, but has a great swing with the ability to drive the ball deep,” Ross said. "She’s a left-handed hitter with a lot of options. Kealy will get on base anyway she can and her ability to read the defense and recognize her best plan of attack will make her very effective.”
Pires is a three-year letterwinner at Governor Livingston High School where she was a two-time All-Mountain Valley conference selection and two-time
Star Ledger All-Union County honoree. Pires also earned
Star Ledger Third Team All-State and
Courier News Third Team All-Area honors following her sophomore season. A 2010 team captain, Pires has hit .402 with 72 hits, four homeruns and 40 stolen bases for the Highlanders through three seasons, while helping the team capture the 2007 state championship. Pires has furthered her softball experience with the Morris County Belles and most recently at 18A nationals with the New Jersey Breakers. Pires is also a two-year letter winner for the Governor Livingston soccer team.
“Katie Pires is another outfielder with good speed,” Ross said. "She has a knack for aggressive base running and I expect her to add another spark to our offense.”
Watson is in her senior year at California’s Beckman High School where she earned team MVP honors while leading the Patriots to a league championship. Watson was a first-team all-league and first-team all-city selection, while also being named to the All-California Interscholastic Federation First Team. She earned offensive player of the year honors and furthered her softball experience with the Irvine Sting 18U Gold.
“Jasmine Watson could be considered a five-tool player,” Ross said. "Her offensive power will make an impact in our lineup right away and her defensive abilities will give us more depth behind the plate and at first base. Jasmine will be a big contributor to an already powerful crew of hitters.”
The Orange opens its 2010 schedule on February 14 at the Louisiana-Lafayette Tournament.