FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern head softball coach Julie LeMaire is pleased to announce the signing of nine newcomers to the 2018 squad. Kailynn Blackwood, Olivia Christopherson, Kayla Kight, Mayte Lezcano, Alyssa Loyd, Madison Macik, Keeley Mayers, Samantha Romberger and Cassidy Zeigler will join the Sharks this fall to bring the roster to 18 players.
"I have a lot of confidence in the direction our program is headed with the addition of the young women in this recruiting class," explained LeMaire. "We are very excited that they have chosen to be a part of the Shark Softball family! I believe their hard work and dedication to softball and academics align with that of the culture we are continuing to build here. After a much improved season last year, we focused our recruiting efforts on improving upon infield defense and offensive production which I trust we have added with this recruiting class."
Kailynn Blackwood
Farmington, N.M. / Southeastern Oklahoma State Univ.
SO / OF/3B / 5-6
Blackwood comes to NSU after playing one season at Southeastern Oklahoma State University as an out outfielder/second baseman. As a freshman, she played in 40 games, with 14 starts. She recorded a .235 batting average in 34 at bats, tallying eight hits with six runs scored while drawing two walks and a .990 fielding percentage.
Olivia Christopherson
New London, Minn. / New London-Spicer HS
FR / LHP / 5-3
Christopherson comes to NSU as a left-handed pitcher from New London-Spicer HS. As a senior, she posted a 15-8 record with three shutouts, two of them no-hitters. In her 145 innings in the circle, she recorded a 1.41 ERA, allowing 84 hits with 28 earned runs while striking out 225 batters with only 48 walks. From her performance during her final season, she was named to the Minnesota All-State Team, 5AAA All-Section Team and Wright County All-Conference Team. She was also nominated to the Senior All-Star Game and helped guide her team to a Section 5AAA Championship.
Kayla Kight
Jacksonville, Fla. / St. John's River CC
JR / 3B/U / 5-4
Kight is transferring from St. Johns River State College and will be a junior third baseman/utility player for the Sharks. She was selected to the 2017 All Mid-Florida Conference second team after finishing with a .399 batting average and .570 slugging percentage as a sophomore. She tallied 63 hits in 158 bats with 33 RBI and 27 runs scored, recording 15 doubles and two homers. Kight also had an impressive .940 fielding percentage, committing only 10 errors out of 168 chances. Off the field, she earned the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges Academic Award.
Mayte Lezcano
Miami, Fla. / Gulliver Preparatory School
FR / IF / 5-2
An infielder from Gulliver Preparatory School, Lezcano put up a .350 batting average with two homeruns as a senior. From her final season, she was named First-Team All-County in Miami-Dade and helped her team win the Kissimmee Klassic Tournament. Lezcano was also selected to participate in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association's 28th All-Star Softball Classic as a South-Florida All Star in 2017.
Alyssa Loyd
Viera, Fla. / Viera HS
FR / C / 5-4
A four year varsity player for Viera HS, Loyd joins the Sharks as a catcher. As a senior, she played in all 29 games, finishing with a .354 batting average in 86 plate appearances. Loyd was named First-Team All-State, collecting 50 hits with 16 doubles while scoring 18 runs with 11 RBI. She was also named the Defensive Player of the Year, while earning the role of team captain. Loyd helped her team win the Cape Coast Conference Championship, 7A District 6 Championship and the Spruce Creek Battle at the Beach Tournament which featured three victories over some of Florida's top teams.
Madison Macik
Jacksonville, Fla. / Trinity Christian Academy
FR / IF / 5-7
Macik played softball for Trinity Christian Academy for four years as an infielder. During her senior season for the Conquerors, she recorded a .992 fielding percentage and tallied three homeruns with a .286 batting average. She also helped lead the Conquerors to a 20-7 record and back to back semifinal state appearances as a shortstop and third baseman.
Keeley Mayers
Safety Harbor, Fla. / St. Petersburg College
JR / 1B / 5-6
Mayers comes to NSU as a first baseman after playing at St. Petersburg College for two years. As a sophomore, she posted a .424 batting average with a .532 on base percentage, earning her the honor of Conference Player of the Year. From her outstanding season, she was also named Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Conference. Mayers also received MVP and St. Petersburg College Female Athlete of the Year accolades.
Samantha Romberger
St. Michaels, Md. / St. Michaels HS
FR / OF / 5-8
Romberger is an outfielder coming to NSU after competing in varsity field hockey and softball for St. Michaels HS for four years. As a senior, she recorded a .343 batting average off 34 hits with 14 RBI in 99 at-bats. Romberger also had an on-base percentage of .423 and a slugging percentage of .424, collecting six doubles, three triples and one homer, while scoring 28 times and stealing nine bases. She was awarded the 2017 MVP Defensive Player of the Year honor as well as the Best Senior Female Athlete Award as a senior. During club season, she played for the Bayside Breeze Teal 18U "A" squad and was the 2016 USSSA Fastpitch World Series runner up.
Cassidy Zeigler
Miami Lakes, Fla. / Monsignor Edward Pace HS
FR / U / 5-6
Zeigler, a utility player coming out of Monsignor Edward Pace HS, batted above .500 while leading the team in doubles and homeruns as a senior. In the circle, she recorded a 16-7 record while also serving as team captain. In 2016, she was awarded Athlete of the Year and Academic Honor Roll honors.
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