Feb. 3, 2010

PHILADELPHIA – La Salle Softball Head Coach Brianne Brown has announced the signing of four recruits for the incoming class of 2014. The incoming group boasts all-conference performers, conference and state champions as well as high-performing students.

Danielle Cullen will join the Explorers from Santa Monica, CA. Cullen, currently a senior at St. Monica High School, is a four year scholar athlete and a three-time All-League recipient. In 2009, she was named MVP for her high school team, leading in homeruns and a .483 batting average. She has been voted captain for the upcoming 2010 season and will continue as a middle infielder and third baseman for her current teams. Cullen is also a member of the Wicked - Siets 18U travel team and has four years of experience playing at the gold level. She is also a strong student, attaining First Honors since her freshman year at St. Monica.

Megan Hodgson will join the Explorers from nearby Pottstown, PA. She is currently a senior at Owen J. Roberts High School, where she will begin her fourth season as a varsity starter. Hodgson helped her squad to three straight Pioneer Athletic Conference (PAC-10) championships, A District I AAAA title and the state playoffs. Hodgson has been named all-area and all-Pac 10 in each of her three seasons so far, including a first team all-area nod in 2009 at the shortstop position. She also plays basketball at Owen J. Roberts as a four-year varsity member and was awarded the Coaches’ Award last season.

Jackie McBride, an Upper Darby, PA, native and senior at Upper Darby High School, will provide depth at third base and behind the plate. McBride led her squad to the PIAA state playoffs for the first time in school history in 2008. Last season, she attained All-Delco First Team and All-Central First Team honors.

Emily Moran will join former high school teammate Kristen Paoletti on the Explorers’ diamond. The utility player is in her senior season at Archbishop Prendergast in Drexel Hill and is a four year varsity member. Last season she was named to the All-Delco First Team and All-Catholic First Team. In 2007, she was the only freshman to make the varsity team, and earned Honorable Mention All-Delco and All-Catholic during her sophomore season in 2008.

"I am thrilled to have all the recruits join our softball program here at La Salle,” Brown said. “We are losing a core group of seniors to graduation and I am looking forward to the immediate impact they will have on the program.

They will add strength, excitement and depth throughout the lineup. I believe they will all live up to the expectations, and I am looking forward to working with them next fall."

The Explorers kick off the 2010 season on Sat., March 6, when they head to Lawrenceville, NJ, for a round-robin competition with Rider and Cornell.