Softball Announces 2016 Recruiting Class
11/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
SIGNING DAY PHOTO GALLERY
MACON, Ga. – Mercer University Co-Head Softball Coaches James and Stephanie DeFeo announced their 2016 recruiting class today, as seven individuals signed a National Letter of Intent to continue their career with the Bears.
The 2016 class is the largest of the DeFeo's tenure, as Kate Buckland, Danielle Castleberry, Amanda Schwartz, Angelica "Jelly" Ponce, Stella Preston, Abby Walsh and Hannah Williamson all signed with Mercer on National Signing Day.
The signing of another talented class, which represents five different states, is another stepping stone for a program that continues to be on the rise. The Bears are coming off their second straight conference championship game appearance, as they finished 37-22 overall including a 20-8 record at Sikes Field.
"This class has everything a coach could want in a signing class," said James DeFeo. "Great pitching, power and speed. We are just adding to our lineup and up and down we have covered pretty much every position. There are a lot of talented athletes in this class and we look forward to having them contribute immediately next fall."
| 2016 Recruiting Class | ||||
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Hometown | High School |
| Kate Buckland | C | 5-4 | Okemos, Mich. | Okemos HS |
| Danielle Castleberry | INF/OF | 5-3 | Ellenwood, Ga. | Woodland HS |
| Amanda Schwartz | INF | 5-5 | Oak Park, Calif. | Agoura H.S. |
| Angelica "Jelly" Ponce | P | 5-9 | Bellflower, Calif. | St. Anthony HS |
| Stella Preston | P | 5-3 | Safety Harbor, Fla. | Countryside HS |
| Abby Walsh | OF | 5-7 | Frisco, Texas | Centennial HS |
| Hannah Williamson | C | 5-8 | Evans, Ga. | Greenbrier, Ga. |
KATE BUCKLAND | Okemos, Mich.
Ht: 5-4
Pos: C
Previous School: Okemos H.S.
Summer Ball: Team Michigan
Kate Buckland will come to Mercer after a stellar prep career at Okemos High School for head coach Chrissy Schoonover. A two-sport athlete, she led the Chiefs to a runner-up finish at the Lansing Diamond Classic.
Buckland has earned three-straight CAAC First Team All-Conference and MHSAA All-District 1A honors. The 5-foot-4 catcher also took home back-to-back MHSAA All-Region awards to go along with a pair of CAAC All-Conference Captain accolades.
The academic all-state selection played for head coach John Kanakry on the Team Michigan travel team, after spending six years with Detroit Compuware. She led Detroit Compuware to ASA and NSA state crowns as well as a NSA World Series title.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Kate:
"Kate is one of the hardest working athletes both on and off the field. She will add depth to our battery and she comes from one of the top travel ball programs out of the Midwest. We expect her to continue to develop both offensively and defensively to help our program."
DANIELLE CASTLEBERRY | Ellenwood, Ga.
Ht: 5-3
Pos: INF/OF
Previous School: Woodland H.S.
Summer Ball: Georgia Impact
The Ellenwood, Ga., native also took home a pair of state honors, earning all-state honorable mention recognition as a freshman and first team all-state accolades as a sophomore.
Castleberry was a two-year member of the Georgia Impact travel ball team for head coach Buster Bass, helping lead the team to a PGF National Championship title.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Danielle:
"Danielle is the type of player that can come in and make an impact immediately. Offensively, she will add power to our lineup and defensively she has an opportunity to make a difference in the infield. She has developed over her high school and travel ball career playing at a very high level and has had a great deal of success."
ANGELICA "JELLY" PONCE | Bellflower, Calif.
Ht: 5-9
Pos: P
Previous School: St. Anthony H.S.
Summer Ball: Ohana Tigers
Pitcher Angelica "Jelly" Ponce heads to Macon from St. Anthony High School, where she played for her father, head coach Adrian Ponce. During her time with the Saints, she led the team to an Artesia Tournament title as well as the 2015 league title.
Ponce has racked up three-straight first team all-league honors, while being named the team's most valuable player in both 2014 and 2015.
The Bellflower, Calif., native also starred for the Ohana Tigers on the travel ball circuit.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Jelly:
"Jelly is the type of pitcher that will keep hitters off balance with unbelievable spin and control. She has the ability to be a perfect complement to our staff. She is a one of a kind pitcher and can really make an impact for our program."
STELLA PRESTON | Safety Harbor, Fla.
Ht: 5-3
Pos: P
Previous School: Countryside H.S.
Summer Ball: Pinellas Warriors
Mercer signed another talented pitcher to its 2016 class with the addition of Stella Preston, a four-year letterwinner for head coach Kaylyn Bayly at Countryside High School. Preston led the Cougars to a pair of District 7A titles as well as a regional semifinal berth in 2015.
She heads into her senior season at Countryside with a host of accolades already, earning back-to-back All-Pinellas County honors as well as Third Team All-Tampa Bay accolades in 2015.
A member of Countryside's National Honor Society and a President's Honors List selection in an early college program, Preston played travel ball for head coach Guy Gannaway and the Pinellas Warriors.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Stella:
"Stella is a great addition to our pitching staff. She is a fierce competitor on the mound and possesses some of the best spin and movement that we have seen in the 2016 class. Stella and her family are a perfect fit for us and she is going to be a pitcher that our defense will love to play behind."
AMANDA SCHWARTZ | Oak Park, Calif.
Ht: 5-5
Pos: INF
Previous School: Agoura H.S.
Summer Ball: Bownet
The Oak Park, Calif., native, helped guide Agoura to the 2015 Marmonte League title and a runner-up finish in 2014. A three-time Principal Scholar Athletic Award honoree, she will graduate with a honors degree.
Schwartz starred on the Bownet, So-Cal Athletics and Firecrackers travel ball teams, playing a part in three Premier Qualifier crowns while leading the Firecrackers to the 2013 ASA Champions Cup Finals.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Amanda:
"Amanda is a great all-around fit for us. She will add depth to our infield and provide power in the lineup. She has a ton of potential and we expect her to develop into a key player for our program."
ABBY WALSH | Frisco, Texas
Ht: 5-7
Pos: OF
Previous School: Frisco Centennial H.S.
Summer Ball: American Freedom Gold
Walsh was awarded for that success, earning the district's offensive and defensive MVP accolades over the past two seasons. She has also garnered academic honors, including three-straight First Team All-State Academic and NFCA All-Scholar Athlete nods.
The 5-foot-7 outfielder also starred on the American Freedom Gold club team under the direction of Tim Soefje.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Abby:
"Abby is an athlete who is a lethal weapon from the left side of the plate. She definitely has an opportunity to come in and make a difference in the middle of our lineup. She will add speed and versatility to our outfield."
HANNAH WILLIAMSON | Evans, Ga.
Ht: 5-8
Pos: C
Previous School: Greenbrier H.S.
Summer Ball: Georgia Impact
The 5-foot-8 catcher was a four-year letterwinner for the Wolfpack, leading the program to a pair of regional titles and the state championship in 2014. She took home first team all-county, first team all-region and second all-state accolades during her career, while also being a member of the school's Academic Honor Roll.
Williamson has spent the past two seasons playing travel ball for head coach Buster Bass and Georgia Impact, helping the team to a fifth place finish at the PGF in 2013 and a ninth-place effort in 2014.
Head Coach James DeFeo on Hannah:
"Hannah is a natural at her catching position. She commands the field on defense and keeps runners at bay with her quickness behind the plate and ability to make snap throws behind any runner. Offensively, she has the power potential to be a threat anywhere she lands in the lineup."
