University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Delaware Softball Adds Nine For 2021 Season
4/9/2020 10:01:00 AM | Softball
NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware softball head coach Jen Steele has announced that nine high school standouts will join the Blue Hens program this fall.
"We have been impatiently waiting to announce our new Hens! Our roster has been a bit thin the past two seasons, so our staff worked tirelessly to bring in a dynamic, complete class. Our incomers feature a great balance of athleticism, power, speed, solid defense and pitching. These nine athletes will help us continue our climb to be a legitimate contender in the CAA," Steele said.
Emily Blum, an outfielder from Kent Island, Md., was a first team All-Bayside selection the previous two years after earning second team honors as a freshman. She was also selected the Offensive MVP for Kent Island High School during her sophomore and junior seasons, and earned the Master of Sports Award last year. Blum also played for the LLG Demarini Platinum travel team.
Steele: "Emily fits our offensive profile - she swings from the left side, can drive the ball for power, and is capable of stealing bases. She is going to make an immediate impact in our lineup."
Julz Garber, an outfielder from Lancaster, Pa., was a three-time All-Section and All-League performer at Lampeter-Strasburg High School. She earned second team All-State honors as a sophomore, before picking up first team accolades a year ago. The sister of current Blue Hen centerfielder Hanna Garber, Julz set school records for stolen bases and triples. She has played for the Nook Gold Team Mizuno travel team.
Steele: "Julz is our type of athlete. Her foot speed and ability to create opportunities for herself on offense is going to be impactful for our lineup. She is well coached, disciplined, and will fit in right away."
Clare Henry, an infielder from Wilmington, Del., was a three-year starter at Delaware Military Academy who also led the team to three consecutive conference championships. She earned third team All-State honors in 2017 and 2019, and was a first team selection in 2018. A three-time first team All-Conference pick who also played for the Rock Gold travel team, Henry was also named the Seahawks basketball MVP during her final three years.
Steele: "Clare is strong in stature and has the ability to drive the ball. In addition, she is also a true utility infielder, giving us some much-needed defensive depth."
Grace Hrustich, a shortstop from Lilburn, Ga., was a first team All-Region and All-County selection while earning second team All-State honors during her senior season in the fall. Hrustich, who was also named to the Senior All-State Team, was tabbed team MVP during her final two years at Parkview High School. Additionally, she played for the Georgia Impact Ryman travel squad.
Steele: "Grace is high energy and plays the game at a fast pace. Her hustle and athleticism are going to help us up the middle of the diamond."
Lexi Moore, an infielder from Dover, Del., was a three-year starter at Smyrna High School and helped lead the Eagles to a pair of state titles in 2018 and 2019. Moore was twice named first team All-Conference, while earning honorable mention All-State accolades as a sophomore and first team honors as a junior. She played for the EC Bullets travel team as well.
Steele: "Lexi is one of the top players in the state and has wanted to attend UD since she was young. She is athletic, can play multiple defensive positions, and will be a huge baserunning threat."
Kendall Shank, a right-handed pitcher from Mohnton, Pa., was a three-year starter at Governor Mifflin High School. She was named All-Division and All-District as a junior, when she was twice selected to the Extra Inning National Player of the Week Honor Roll. Shank earned All-County honor roll accolades in 2017, before getting selected first team All-County the following year. Additionally, she played for the Team LI Demarini travel team.
Steele: "Kendall was a surprising late addition for us, and we feel fortunate to have landed her. Our pitching staff continues to get stronger, and she will add great off-speed and the ability to locate her movement pitches."
Delani Sheehan, a left-handed pitcher from New Castle, Del., helped lead Delaware Military Academy to three straight conference titles as a starting pitcher, compiling a 46-8 career record in the circle. She earned second team All-State honors as a freshman, before being named first team All-Conference and All-State during her final two seasons. Sheehan also played with the PA Chaos Gold travel team.
Steele: "Delani gives us a much-needed different look, being our only left-handed pitcher on staff. She is a hard worker, proud to play for her home state, and will complement the rest of our pitching staff with her ability to keep the ball down in the zone."
Zoey Valentino, a catcher from Freehold, N.J., was a first team All-Shore and All-Group 4 selection during her final two seasons at Freehold Township High School. An Asbury Park Press Junior of the Year nominee, Valentino was also selected first team All-Division last year when she was named the school's Offensive Player of the Year and Co-Player of the Year A-North Division.
Steele: "Zoey's game sense and softball IQ are going to be a great addition behind the plate. Her ability to lead the defense will be important as we will have new arms in the pitching rotation."
Gillian Zack, an outfielder from Colts Neck, N.J., earned 2018 Shore Conference All-Division honors and was a two-time Golden Glove recipient. She helped lead St. John Vianney High School to an 82-4 record during her final three years, as the Lancers won conference titles in 2017 and 2019 and the state championship in 2018. Zack and Valentino both played on the EC Bullets Piening travel team.
Steele: "Gillian has great range in the outfield and a cannon for an arm. I see her battling for defensive opportunities early in her career, especially late in games as a defensive specialist."
"We have been impatiently waiting to announce our new Hens! Our roster has been a bit thin the past two seasons, so our staff worked tirelessly to bring in a dynamic, complete class. Our incomers feature a great balance of athleticism, power, speed, solid defense and pitching. These nine athletes will help us continue our climb to be a legitimate contender in the CAA," Steele said.
Emily Blum, an outfielder from Kent Island, Md., was a first team All-Bayside selection the previous two years after earning second team honors as a freshman. She was also selected the Offensive MVP for Kent Island High School during her sophomore and junior seasons, and earned the Master of Sports Award last year. Blum also played for the LLG Demarini Platinum travel team.
Steele: "Emily fits our offensive profile - she swings from the left side, can drive the ball for power, and is capable of stealing bases. She is going to make an immediate impact in our lineup."
Julz Garber, an outfielder from Lancaster, Pa., was a three-time All-Section and All-League performer at Lampeter-Strasburg High School. She earned second team All-State honors as a sophomore, before picking up first team accolades a year ago. The sister of current Blue Hen centerfielder Hanna Garber, Julz set school records for stolen bases and triples. She has played for the Nook Gold Team Mizuno travel team.
Steele: "Julz is our type of athlete. Her foot speed and ability to create opportunities for herself on offense is going to be impactful for our lineup. She is well coached, disciplined, and will fit in right away."
Clare Henry, an infielder from Wilmington, Del., was a three-year starter at Delaware Military Academy who also led the team to three consecutive conference championships. She earned third team All-State honors in 2017 and 2019, and was a first team selection in 2018. A three-time first team All-Conference pick who also played for the Rock Gold travel team, Henry was also named the Seahawks basketball MVP during her final three years.
Steele: "Clare is strong in stature and has the ability to drive the ball. In addition, she is also a true utility infielder, giving us some much-needed defensive depth."
Grace Hrustich, a shortstop from Lilburn, Ga., was a first team All-Region and All-County selection while earning second team All-State honors during her senior season in the fall. Hrustich, who was also named to the Senior All-State Team, was tabbed team MVP during her final two years at Parkview High School. Additionally, she played for the Georgia Impact Ryman travel squad.
Steele: "Grace is high energy and plays the game at a fast pace. Her hustle and athleticism are going to help us up the middle of the diamond."
Lexi Moore, an infielder from Dover, Del., was a three-year starter at Smyrna High School and helped lead the Eagles to a pair of state titles in 2018 and 2019. Moore was twice named first team All-Conference, while earning honorable mention All-State accolades as a sophomore and first team honors as a junior. She played for the EC Bullets travel team as well.
Steele: "Lexi is one of the top players in the state and has wanted to attend UD since she was young. She is athletic, can play multiple defensive positions, and will be a huge baserunning threat."
Kendall Shank, a right-handed pitcher from Mohnton, Pa., was a three-year starter at Governor Mifflin High School. She was named All-Division and All-District as a junior, when she was twice selected to the Extra Inning National Player of the Week Honor Roll. Shank earned All-County honor roll accolades in 2017, before getting selected first team All-County the following year. Additionally, she played for the Team LI Demarini travel team.
Steele: "Kendall was a surprising late addition for us, and we feel fortunate to have landed her. Our pitching staff continues to get stronger, and she will add great off-speed and the ability to locate her movement pitches."
Delani Sheehan, a left-handed pitcher from New Castle, Del., helped lead Delaware Military Academy to three straight conference titles as a starting pitcher, compiling a 46-8 career record in the circle. She earned second team All-State honors as a freshman, before being named first team All-Conference and All-State during her final two seasons. Sheehan also played with the PA Chaos Gold travel team.
Steele: "Delani gives us a much-needed different look, being our only left-handed pitcher on staff. She is a hard worker, proud to play for her home state, and will complement the rest of our pitching staff with her ability to keep the ball down in the zone."
Zoey Valentino, a catcher from Freehold, N.J., was a first team All-Shore and All-Group 4 selection during her final two seasons at Freehold Township High School. An Asbury Park Press Junior of the Year nominee, Valentino was also selected first team All-Division last year when she was named the school's Offensive Player of the Year and Co-Player of the Year A-North Division.
Steele: "Zoey's game sense and softball IQ are going to be a great addition behind the plate. Her ability to lead the defense will be important as we will have new arms in the pitching rotation."
Gillian Zack, an outfielder from Colts Neck, N.J., earned 2018 Shore Conference All-Division honors and was a two-time Golden Glove recipient. She helped lead St. John Vianney High School to an 82-4 record during her final three years, as the Lancers won conference titles in 2017 and 2019 and the state championship in 2018. Zack and Valentino both played on the EC Bullets Piening travel team.
Steele: "Gillian has great range in the outfield and a cannon for an arm. I see her battling for defensive opportunities early in her career, especially late in games as a defensive specialist."
Players Mentioned
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