Softball Welcomes Twelve Newcomers for 2024

JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Saint Peter's University softball team and head coach Christopher Stelma announced today the signing of 12 freshmen to the program for the beginning of the 2024 season. The 12 players all come from the east coast, with New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland being represented in the class of 2027.

"As we continue to build and grow, we are welcoming a large class to transition into our program and continue to build a program built on trust, hard work, and desire to get better everyday," said Stelma. "We are excited to welcome these ladies to our family and get them on the field to make a run at a MAAC Championship.  We set two goals for every incoming class and they are to leave their mark on the program and to leave the program in a better state than it was when they came in!"

Meet the Saint Peter's University Softball Class of 2027
 

Sydney Orndorff | Outfield/Catcher | Greencastle, PA | Greencastle High School

 

Before Saint Peter's: Orndorff heads to the Peacock family after a stellar high school career. She was a First Team Colonial All-Star and First Team All-State. She has also thrived in her travel career as a member of the Heartbreakers Gold National 18u team.

Coach Stelma on Orndorff: "Sydney is a big game player and should be an immediate impact player. Her ability on the field speaks for itself and her personality and love of the game is infectious to all!.  We can't wait to get her in Jersey City!"

 

Zailees Seda | Infield | Johnstown, PA | Westmont Hilltop

Before Saint Peter's: Seda comes to Saint Peter's after receiving the LAHC conference team award in 2021 and 2022. She played travel for Team Pennsylvania Fast Pitch. 

Coach Stelma on Seda: "Zailees comes out of a very competitive travel program and is a natural leader on the field.  She plays solid defense and has a swing that is ready for Division 1 competition already.  She is selfless and will fit into our culture of caring for each other and no task too small!"

Morgan Lipansky | Pitcher | Clarksburg, MD | Damascus High School

Before Saint Peter's: Lipansky comes to Saint Peter's with a litany of awards under her belt, including: Montgomery County All-County Player of the Year (2022), Montgomery County 3A/2A All-Division Player of the Year (2022), Montgomery County 3A/2A All-Division 1st Team Pitcher (2022), Co-MVP 2022 of Damascus High School Softball, All-Met 2022 First Team, 2022 County Champion, 2022 Regional Champion, 2021 Regional Champion, and was also nominated for 2022 Gatorade Player of the Year. She played travel with the Gold Coast Hurricanes 18u National team. She also had a WGPA of 4.35, was inducted into the ASL honor society, and was on the honor roll all 4 years of high school.

Coach Stelma on Lipansky: "Morgan is a player we followed and tried to get for a long time.  She has top of the rotation ability and should look to do damage in the MAAC.  She possesses equal ability on the offensive side.  Her work ethic and desire to improve will fit in nice down at "The Schack."

Angelina Wagner | Pitcher | Johnstown, PA | Ferndale

Before Saint Peter's: Wagner brings her athleticism to Jersey City after earning all-conference awards for both softball and baseball at Ferndale. She was also on the honor roll and played travel with the Ohio Outlaw Metts. 

Coach Stelma on Wagner: "Angelina is another pitcher who we are looking to come in and make immediate impact.  We met her later in the process, but she has the ability to make big changes to our pitching staff.  Angelina is another player who can step in and make an impact offensively as well."

Kayla Talbert | Infield | Hagerstown, MD | North Hagerstown High

Before Saint Peter's: At North Hagerstown High, Talbert earned First Team All-County recognition along with a stellar GPA of 4.2 on the distinguished honor roll. She played travel with Heartbreakers Gold National 18u. 

Coach Stelma on Talbert: "Kayla has big game potential and a fierce competitive spirit.  She is a very hard worker and we hope she will come in and make big impacts on both sides of the ball.  She is a kid who plays like she has something to prove and she will be very good for us on and off the field."

Ashley Murphy | Outfield | Medford, NJ | Shawnee High School

Before Saint Peter's: Ashley joins the Peacocks coming off All-Conference athletic honors in the Olympic Conference. She also excelled in the classroom, earning National Honor Society recognition from 2020-2022. She also played travel with Stars National. 

Coach Stelma on Murphy: "Ashley plays a very competitive travel schedule which should put her right in the mix to come in and make an immediate impact.  She has a nice compact swing and has a knowledge for the game.  We are looking forward to getting to work with her."

Taylor Montgomery | Outfield | Long Valley, NJ | West Morris Central High School

Before Saint Peter's: Montgomery brings high level high school awards with her to Jersey City, including First Team All-Conference, a Golden Glove Award, and an honorable mention on the All-Conference team. In the classroom, she was also a member of the High honor roll and the National Honor Society. She played travel with NJ Venom.

Coach Stelma on Montgomery: "You can't teach speed, and T Mont has that!  Taylor is a fantastic outfielder and has the ability to get on base and be a pesky, fast baserunner.  We look for her to come in and make an immediate impact with her abilities!"

Olivia Christopher | Catcher/Infield | Federalsburg, MD | Colonel Richardson High School

Before Saint Peter's: Christopher excelled during her high school career, earning a 2021 All Conference Honorable Mention and a 2022 All Conference First Team selection. She was inducted to two honor societies for her efforts in the classroom, including the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. She played travel with TNT Delaware.

Coach Stelma on Montgomery: "Liv is a battler! She has plus ability, but her desire to be an impact player is what sold us on her.  She plays the game the right way and we look forward to having her in JC!"

Kass Aquino | Pitcher | Coplay, PA | Whitehall High School

Before Saint Peter's: Aquino comes to Jersey City as another pitcher in this stacked class, earning Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Second Team honors. In the classroom, she received academic honors. She played travel with NJ Stars National.

Coach Stelma on Aquino: "Kass has a ton of potential and a very high ceiling as far as how much more she can achieve.  She is a student of the game and is already a favorite among her future teammates."

Hannah Higgins | Catcher | Chesapeake, VA | Great Bridge High School

Before Saint Peter's: Higgins is another two sport high school athlete that makes her way to Saint Peter's. At Great Bridge, Higgins played Varsity Softball and Field Hockey in '20-'21. She was a '21-'22 Field Hockey State Champion and '21-'22 Softball Regional Champion. She also excelled in the classroom, including a recognition to the National Honor Society, French National Honors Society, Outstanding GPA awards, Superintendent's Honor Roll, and was also a member of the Chamber Orchestra. She played travel with Orion Hunter Elite.

Coach Stelma on Higgins: "Hannah is the type of person we love here in Jersey City.  She works hard to prove she is a force to be reckoned with.  She looks to battle for the role of catcher for our program.  She comes in at a time right before we graduate our two long-time catchers."

 

Hannah Klotz | Outfield | Montoursville | Montoursville Area High School

Before Saint Peter's: Klotz comes to Jersey City after her years at Montoursville Area High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society and played travel with the Central PA Bombers. 
Coach Stelma on Klotz: "Hannah is a very tough kid.  She has the ability to get on base and is another player who possesses plus speed.  Hannah covers a lot of ground in the outfield and isn't afraid to get dirty to make plays."
 

Carlee Charles | Pitcher | Millville, PA | Millville Jr./Sr. High School

Before Saint Peter's: Charles brings her leadership ability on and off the field with her to the Peacocks. She was the varsity softball captain and received an athlete of the week award while at Millville Jr./Sr. She also earned a spot on the Distinguished Honor Roll, National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, and Rotary Student of the Month. She played travel with Stripes and Strikes Softball 18U.

Coach Stelma on Charles: "Carlee comes to us from a great program and has been pitching at a very high level of competition over the past few years.  She is a hard thrower who can also swing the bat.  We look forward to getting her on campus.