May 31, 2005

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell head softball coach Heather Rakosik, who took over the reigns of the program last July, announced her first recruiting class Tuesday. One year after bringing in four freshmen that all saw significant playing time this past season, the Bison will have 10 newcomers comprise the Class of 2009.

While Rakosik landed five players from Pennsylvania, the class also includes players from California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey and Ohio.

Ashley Beans (Hanover, Pa./Hanover), Ashley Carlson (Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury), Damara Farkas (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville), Kristin Frick (West Chester, Pa./West Chester), Meaghan Haley (Henderson, Nev./Green Valley), Cassie Lloyd (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg), Katie McDonald (York, Pa./West York), Meghann Muirhead (Glendale, Calif./Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy), Jamie Pepper Neistat (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek), Tanya Roth (Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes) comprise the class, which will help add depth to a team that loses just two seniors.

Beans, who is a middle infielder and outfielder, led her high school team to a district championship in 2003 and to a runner-up finish in 2004. Named first team all-area by the York Daily Record as both a sophomore and junior, she earned the same honors from the Gettysburg Times and Hanover Evening Sun. She was the 2005 Hanover Rotary Scholar-Athlete, and was the Gettysburg Times Athlete of the Week (May 3) and the Hanover Evening Sun Athlete of the Week (April 5) as a senior. Beans also played basketball and tennis in high school, and is a member of the PA Xplosion summer travel team.

"Ashley's athleticism, experience at the top of the order and versatility at the plate will make her a great addition to our program," said Rakosik.

Carlson, who was a 2004 All-Suburban One League Second Team selection, led her team to back-to-back district championships as a sophomore and junior in 2003 and 2004. The outfielder plays on the Blazing Angels summer travel league squad.

"Ashley will add needed depth to our outfield and speed in the lineup," commented Rakosik.

Another outfielder, Farkas was league most valuable player and a member of the Stark County All-Star Team as a junior. The county leader in stolen bases as a sophomore and junior, she was her team's captain as a senior. A member of the Lady Lasers summer travel league team, Farkas was all-county, all-league and all-district in volleyball.

"Damara has great quickness on the bases, as well as in the outfield. She also will give us another threat from the left side of the plate," stated Rakosik.

Frick, who plays shortstop, outfield and pitcher, was a first-team all-area and first-team All-Southern Chester County League selection. She served as team captain as a senior. Frick plays on the Chester County Stars summer league team.

"A student of the game, Kristin is a rare breed with experience both at shortstop and on the mound," said Rakosik.

Haley is one of five players in the class who pitched some during high school. The team captain as a senior, she was second-team all-state as a junior and was the most valuable pitcher in the Sunrise Conference as both a junior and senior. A three-time scholar-athlete, she was first-team all-conference as a sophomore, junior and senior. The Green Valley High School Athlete of the Month for April 2005, she plays summer league softball with the Las Vegas Rage Gold.

"A member of the Las Vegas Rage Gold team, Meaghan has shown she can play high-level softball. We are looking for her to be a strong addition to our pitching staff next year," commented Rakosik.

Lloyd is a local product from Mifflinburg Area High School. A first baseman, she led the Wildcats to a state title in 2004 as a junior. A three-sport athlete, Lloyd played field hockey and basketball in addition to softball. A member of the National Honor Society and a Young American, she plays summer softball with the Selinsgrove Gators.

"Cassie will add depth at first base, and give us another athletic option at the plate and in the field," stated Rakosik.

McDonald, who has struck out more than 500 hitters in her high school career at West York High School, was the team most valuable player and a first-team all-league selection as a junior. A two-time team captain, she has been named the York Daily Record Athlete of the Week twice. Along with earning four varsity letters in softball, she has garnered three in basketball. She plays with the PA Intensity summer league squad.

"Katie's height and athletic build give an intimidating presence on the mound," said Rakosik. "She is used to being a go-to player for her high school team, and we look forward to that carrying over into her college game."

Muirhead is a left-handed pitcher and plays first base as well. An all-league and all-area selection as a junior, she was also the team's most valuable player as both a junior and senior. As a senior she copped honors as the Los Angeles Times High School Top Performer, Sport Chalet Athlete of the Week, and Pasadena Star-News Athlete of the Week. She plays with the SoCal Spoilers Gold during the summer.

"We are very excited to add a pitcher of Meg's caliber to the Bison family," commented Rakosik. "A lefty, she has great movement on her pitches and precise control."

Neistat is an outfielder and first baseman from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colo. An all-league selection, she was also named team most valuable player as a junior. Academically she is a Deca National Qualifier, a member of the National Honor Society, and a High Honors Graduate. Her summer league team is the Colorado Pony Express.

"Jamie comes to Bucknell with impressive academic and athletic credentials," stated Rakosik. "She will bring much experience to our outfield, in addition to also being a great option at first base"

Roth is another pitcher and served as team captain as a senior. A three-year member of the Mountain Lakes High School varsity softball team, she plays with the NJ Fire summer travel squad.

"Tanya is a finesse pitcher who should provide consistency to our pitching staff," said Rakosik. "A standout at the high school level, we look for her to continue that trend as a Bison."

These 10 newcomers will combine with the holdovers from last year's Bison team that posted a 16-22 overall record and finished fourth in the Patriot League with an 8-10 conference mark. Bucknell will attempt to qualify for its third consecutive Patriot League Tournament in 2006.

Bucknell Softball 2005 Recruiting Class
Name	             Position	        Hometown/High School
Ashley Beans	     Middle Infield/OF	Hanover, Pa./Hanover
Ashley Carlson	     OF	                Fairless Hills, Pa./Pennsbury
Damara Farkas	     OF	                Louisville, Ohio/Louisville
Kristin Frick	     SS/OF/P            West Chester, Pa./West Chester
Meaghan Haley	     P	                Henderson, Nev./Green Valley
Cassie Lloyd	     1B	                Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg
Katie McDonald	     P	                York, Pa./West York
Meghann Muirhead     P/1B               Glendale, Calif./Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy
Jamie Pepper Neistat OF/1B              Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek
Tanya Roth	     P	                Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes

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