Terrier Softball Signs Four To Class Of 2009
November 23, 2004 | Softball
BOSTON - First-year Boston University softball head coach Shawn Rychcik has announced the signing of four student-athletes who will enter B.U. in the fall of 2005 and play for the Terriers beginning in the 2006 season.
Melissa Dubay (Auburn, Wash. / Auburn Riverside), Brooke Hudson (La Porte, Texas / La Porte), Christy Leath (St. Charles, Mo. / Francis Howell Central), and Shayne Lotito (Acton, Calif. / Vasquez) will, according to Rychcik, "provide the Terriers with a versatility, speed, and power - a little bit of everything - when they enter school in the fall.
"Our seniors have had great careers at B.U. They have made a huge imprint on B.U. softball," said Rychcik of his senior class of four. "This incoming class has the potential to fill those shoes and leave their own imprint."
Dubay, a three-time All-Conference selection as an infielder at Auburn Riverside, can play any infield position. According to Rychcik, she's "a great hitter who should be able to hit for power and average." A strong student, Dubay carries a 4.0 grade-point average, and has never received a grade lower than "A". She chose B.U. over the University of Virginia, Penn State, and the University of Maine.
Hudson, a First Team All-District and Academic All-District selection at La Porte High School, is in the top 5 percent academically in a class of 564. On the field, she'll provide the Terriers with a strong glove on the left side of the infield.
"Brooke will give us the stability in the infield that we'll need after the graduation of senior Jamie Haas," said Rychcik. Hudson chose the Terriers over the University of Houston.
Leath, an All-Conference First Team pick as a catcher at Francis Howell Central, brings another strong bat to the Terrier lineup as well as strong play behind the plate defensively.
"As a catcher, Christy has an unbelievable knowledge and understanding of the game," said Rychcik. "At the plate, she brings power along with a high average." Leath is also a strong student, earning Academic All-Conference honors and ranks in the top five percent in her class of 537. She chose B.U. over the University of Arkansas, the University of Illinois-Chicago, and Truman State.
Lotito, who can play nearly every position on the field, will bring speed to the base paths for the Terriers.
"Shayne will put a lot of pressure on opposing teams with her speed at the plate," said Rychcik. "She'll turn a single into a double in a hurry. In the outfield, she has the ability to play all three spots with her arm strength and quick first step."
Lotito chose the come to Boston over Brigham Young University, Villanova, and Dartmouth.
The Terriers start their 2005 campaign at the Central Florida Tournament on Feb. 18-20 in Orlando, Fla. before competing in the Buzz Classic on March 4-6 in Atlanta, Ga.
