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Blue Hen softball team signs five recruits

11:28 a.m., June 21, 2005--The University of Delaware softball team has signed five recruits, Fightin’ Blue Hens Head Coach B.J. Ferguson announced Monday. The players, all incoming freshmen, are Katie DeSalvo, Courtney Kelly, Jessica Kozlowski, Marianne Marinella and Kim Ovittore.

DeSalvo, a native of Ringoes, N.J., played for Hunterdon Central Regional High School and was named first team All-Skyland Conference as an outfielder this year. As a junior, DeSalvo helped lead Hunterdon Central to the conference championship with a 22-5-1 record. She also plays for Team NJ, which went 30-2 last year and is one of the top 18 and under teams in the country.

"We are looking forward to having Katie join our team in the fall," Ferguson said. "Her quickness and knowledge of the game will add depth to our outfield. Offensively, Katie will put pressure on the defense every time she steps into the box and will add speed to our lineup."

Kelly played second base and outfield for Cheshire (Conn.) High School, helping lead the team to a 21-5 record and a berth in the state semifinals. She was a New Haven Register All-State selection and hit .383 for the Connecticut Charmers, which went 35-10 last season.

"Courtney will provide our team with depth up the middle defensively, primarily at second base. However, she could see playing time in the outfield," Ferguson said. "We feel that her speed will afford her the opportunity to be an offensive threat each at bat."

Kozlowski is from Huntington Station, N.Y., where she played catcher and first base for Walt Whitman High School and was a member of the school’s National Honor Society chapter. She was captain of the team as a senior and was named the most valuable player in 2004. Kozlowski hit .360 with six doubles, three triples, two home runs and a team-high 20 runs batted in. She was a New York State Scholar-Athlete and was selected to all-league, all-division and all-county teams. Kozlowski hit .498 with 30 RBIs for the 18 and under New York BP All-Stars team, which went 44-17 last season.

"We feel that Jessica will complement our team with her game awareness and her ability to direct defensively from behind the plate," Ferguson said. "It is our expectation that she will help generate runs with her plate production."

Marinella, who is from Aberdeen, N.J., and pitched and played first base for Matawan Regional High School, helped lead the team to the 2005 Central Jersey Group II championship and to the division title in 2004. As a junior, Marinella posted a 0.62 earned run average and struck out 213 batters in 159 innings of work to earn second team All-Shore honors. She is a member of the 18 and under Jersey Inferno team.

"We are looking forward to having Marianne as part of our pitching staff next year," Ferguson said. "It is our hope that she will work into the starting rotation quickly, adding depth to our core of returnees. She has enjoyed much success on the offensive side of the plate, as well."

Ovittore is from Bethel, Conn., and played for the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall. A pitcher and shortstop, she helped lead the team to a 52-2 record and consecutive Class M state championships the last two seasons. Ovittore, a team captain, went 18-0 in 2004 with a 0.17 earned run average and 166 strikeouts in 127 innings pitched. She also hit .489 with 28 runs batted in.

Ovittore was named to the Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-State and Connecticut Top 25 teams. A National Honor Society member as a junior and senior, Ovittore was also involved in student council and was a peer mentor to freshmen. This summer, she will play for the Stratford Brakettes, the defending Amateur Softball Association women’s fast pitch national champions.

"We are extremely excited to have Kim join our team next year," Ferguson said. "She is a versatile player, both as a pitcher and a shortstop. It is our expectation that she will earn a regular spot in our starting lineup. She brings strong defensive skills along with offensive power, which is a great combination."

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