FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Three softball student-athletes have signed a national letter of intent to play the sport at Fairfield University beginning with the 2016 season. Courtney Hankins (Pennsville, N.J.), Alisha Marshall (Selma, Calif.), and Karisa Hughen (Vista, Calif.) will comprise the class of 2019 and will come to campus in the Fall of 2015. The announcement was made by Fairfield University Head Softball Coach Julie Brzezinski.
Hankins has enjoyed success at two different positions over the last two seasons at Pennsville High School, spending her sophomore season at third base before moving to catcher as a junior. Regardless of the position, Hankins posted impressive offensive numbers over the last two seasons. Last year, Hankins was named the Salem/Cumberland Country Softball Player of the Year in her first season as a catcher. She finished the year with a .624 batting average with 14 extra-base hits, two homers, and 38 RBI with 40 runs scored. In her sophomore season, Hankins posted a .476 hitting percentage with five home runs, 16 extra base hits (11 doubles, five homers) with 21 RBI. She also plays for the Newtown (Pa.) Rock Gold travel team.
“Courtney will add a strong bat and defensive versatility to the Fairfield lineup next fall,” Brzezinski said. “Her experience as a third baseman and as a catcher will make her a valuable member of our roster.”
Marshall has been a .300 hitter throughout her three seasons at Selma High School. As a freshman, the infielder batted .312 with 24 hits in 23 games and added two doubles, three triples, and a homer to her season statistics. One year later, Marshall hit better than .400 with 37 hits in 27 appearances which included two doubles, seven triples and a home run. She is a skilled base runner, posting 13 steals in 14 attempts in her first two seasons at Selma, and scored 55 runs in 50 games during the same time period. Marshall went on to represent the United States as part of a travel team that competed in Dominican Republic earlier this year. She spent time with the Fresno Force Gold travel team.
“Alisha will bring speed at the plate and a solid glove up the middle, “ Coach Brzezinski said. “She will challenge for playing time and could be a regular in our lineup early in her career.”
Hughen was a key member of the Rancho Buena Vista High School softball team over the last two seasons. During that time frame, the pitcher posted a 2.52 ERA with 19 wins and 134 strikeouts in 174 innings pitched. In her sophomore season, Hughen earned a 14-6 record in 25 appearances, fanning 102 batters in 124 innings pitched. As a junior, Hughen posted 32 strikeouts in 50 innings of work and earned a 5-2 overall record. A control pitcher, she registered more strikeouts than walks in each of her last two seasons. In addition to her high school performance, Hughen also was a member of the American Athletics Gold travel team.
“Karisa will add strong depth and a repertoire of pitches to the Fairfield pitching rotation,” Brzezinski said. “Her experience in the pitching circle will help our program and could help her earn innings as a freshman.”
The Fairfield University softball team opens the 2015 season at the Towson University Tournament on February 27-28. The team will also participate in the Campbell University tournament and Central Florida Tournament in early spring. The Stags open the home portion of their schedule on March 28 when they host Niagara University in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) doubleheader.
