FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Head Coach Julie Brzezinski added six student-athletes to the Fairfield University softball program beginning with the 2021 season. Allie Bridgman, Charlee Horton, Alexa Ortman, Kasey Sekula, Bailey Taylor, and Evie Wright will don the Stags uniform after successful academic and athletic careers at the high school and club levels.

Bridgman helped Hightstown High School to its first New Jersey Group 4 Championship when the team went 26-5 during the 2019 season. As a junior, she posted a .485 batting average with 52 RBI from the batter's box and registered a 21-3 record with 233 strikeouts in the pitching circle. She capped her junior campaign by earning a spot on The Trentonian's All-Area First Team and by securing the newspaper's Area Player of the Year award. She also played softball with the New Jersey Cheetahs before arriving at Fairfield University.
 
"Allie brings a ton of experience and success from both behind the plate and on the mound. We are excited for her strong bat, positive attitude and leadership skills to shine on the field," said Coach Brzezinski.
 
Horton was a key member of St. Joseph's High School (Trumbull) over her sophomore and junior seasons. She batted. .338 as a second-year player and followed up with a .462 mark as a junior which translated into a .394 batting average for the two seasons. She posted 17 extra base hits over the two campaigns including eight double and eight home runs. Horton was also a strong run producer, driving in 39 base runners and scoring 29 runs herself.
 
"Charlee will add much needed depth behind the plate and provide a strong bat with long ball potential," said Coach Brzezinski.
 
Ortman comes to Fairfield after competing in 10 games for La Salle University during the 2020 season, batting .371 with 13 hits in 10 starts. She was a successful career at Central Bucks South High School where she batted .413 over her final three seasons with the program. She averaged nearly 1.5 hits per game played in high school, registering 97 hits in 67 appearances. The outfielder garnered 21 extra base hits over those three seasons with 14 doubles, five triples, and two home runs. She was a three-time Suburban One Conference First Team player.
 
"Lex will bring some speed, range and a strong arm to the outfield.  Her ability to slap, bunt and hit away from the left side will leave teams in disarray," said Coach Brzezinski.
 
Sekula was the starting third baseman as a member of the Mount. St. Dominic softball program. She batted .421, averaging a run and a hit per game played that season. She finished the 2019 season with 35 hits and 32 runs scored in 33 games. She registered at least one RBI in 20 games including four games with four RBI, resulting in 41 for the season. Sekula also played softball with the New Jersey Pride softball program.
 
 "Kasey's strong, consistent bat and competitiveness will make her a strong option in the infield.  Her work ethic and her ability to make adjustments will help her transition to the college game," said Coach Brzezinski.
 
Taylor comes to Fairfield University after playing softball at Los Alamitos High School as well as with the Ohana Tigers (Calif.). She helped Los Alamitos win its first 10 games of 2020 before the season ended, earning the top spot in the MaxPreps National Poll. The pitcher was on the Sunset All League second team and earned the Sunset League All-Academic Award for four seasons. She was named to the 2019 PGF All-Tournament Team and the 2020 Korean Junior National Team. In the classroom, she earned the NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete Award, and the Academic Award of Excellence. She was also a student leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and a member of the National Honors Society.
 
"Between club ball and high school, Bailey has faced some of the toughest competition on the ball field, and that experience will help her succeed on the mound in the college game.  Her stamina and 'give me the ball' mentality will go a long way in as she breaks into the pitching staff," said Coach Brzezinski.
 
Wright was a two-sport athlete who competed on the softball diamond and on the slopes. As a skier, Wright was the 2018 Northwest Cup Women Overall Champion and was a member of the Pacific Northwest Ski Association (PNSA) Alpine Team in 2019 and 2020. She earned the 2020 Crystal Mountain Alpine Club Outstanding Performance award in 2020.
 
"Evie will vie for time in both the infield and the outfield.  She has the ability to spray the ball to all fields and will add a strong lefty bat to the lineup," said Coach Brzezinski.