Softball Adds Six for 2011 Season

Harvard welcomes six players to the 2010-11 roster (Harvard Athletic Communications).

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard softball team announced it will welcome six freshmen to the squad for the 2010-11 season. Three members of the class of 2014 hail from California while the other three represent Louisiana, Arizona and Kansas.

"Harvard softball is excited to welcome a talented and accomplished group of freshmen this fall," said head coach Jenny Allard.  "We know this class will positively influence the program on and off the field and we are hopeful that they will be a part of a very successful season this year."

In 2009, the Crimson put together one of the best conference records in team history, going 17-3 against Ivy League foes and capturing the Ivy North division title by sweeping defending champion Dartmouth. The Crimson went on to face Cornell in the Ivy Championship Series and pushed the Big Red to a deciding game three on its home turf, before falling 3-2 in the final. Nine Harvard players earned All-Ivy League accolades, including Rachel Brown, Whitney Shaw and Ellen Macadam who all earned first-team nods.

Here is a look at the softball incoming class:

Laura Ricciardone, Pitcher, Slidell, La./Pope John Paul II
Played softball, basketball and volleyball at Pope John Paul II, captaining the softball team as a junior and senior … Four-time all-district first-team pitcher and district MVP as a senior … Three-time All-St. Tammany Parish pitcher of the year, all-metro pitcher of the year and first-team all-state selection … State 2A MVP in 2008 and team MVP in 2008 and 2010 … Helped team to four district championship and a state championship in 2008 … Holds the school career strikeout record and became the first person in school history to have a jersey retired … Vice president of the National Honor Society and recipient of the St. Michael's Book Award and the Pope John Paul II Citizenship Award … Involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (vice president), student council and served as class president in 2008 … Enjoys painting, reading, boating and exercising … Uncle, David Ricciardone '80, also attended Harvard.

Kasey Lange, Infield, Ladera Ranch, Calif./Tesoro
Four-year starter on the Tesoro softball team and captain as a junior and senior … Three-time All-South Coast League second-team selection and first-team all-county selection in 2009 … Four-time team offensive player of the year and first-team all-league selection as a senior … Named to All-CIF Southern Section first-team as a senior … Helped Tesoro to CIF Southern Section championship in 2009 … Four-year scholar-athlete and recipient of the Torch of Excellence in pre-calculus and the Bank of America Award in Math … California Scholarship Federation member … Enjoys going to the beach, bonfires and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball.

Jessica Perillo, Infield, Cave Creek, Ariz./Pinnacle
Lettered all four years in softball at Pinnacle … All-region first-team selection as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore … AIA scholar-athlete all four years and selected as an NFCA All-American scholar athlete as a junior … Recipient of the Pinnacle Pioneer Award as a sophomore and a junior and the Pillar of Pinnacle Softball Award as a senior … Helped team to 5A Division II Pima Region championship as a junior … An AP Scholar with Honor and member of the National Honor Society, Society of Women Scholars and key club … Enjoys music, Grey's Anatomy and the Red Sox.

Shelbi Olson, Outfield, Lenexa, Kan./Olathe East
Four-year member of the Olathe East softball team … Four-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete … Helped team to one league championship, one state championship and three Kansas 6A regional championships … Four-time academic letter recipient and named a Kansas Honor Scholar as a senior … 2010 Wendy's High School Heisman school winner and Kansas City Scholar Athlete nominee … Member of the National Honor Society … Enjoys skiing, camping, scrapbooking and volunteer work.

Jackie Cooley, Outfield, Carlsbad, Calif./La Costa Canyon
Started all four years on the La Costa Canyon softball team … Named to all-league first-team, Division I all-section second-team and San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic team as a senior … Received all-league second-team accolades as a sophomore and junior … Named a San Diego Union Tribune All-Star and led the San Diego North County in stolen bases as a sophomore … AP Scholar and president of the math collaboration tutoring center … Recipient of the 2008 Maverick of the Year Award for Academic Excellence and Strength of Character and 2009 and 2010 Academic Achievement Award … Interests include yoga and photography.

Allison Scott, Catcher/1B, Alpine, Calif./Christian
Played softball, basketball and volleyball at Christian, serving as captain of the softball team as a senior … Four-time All-East County and all-league selection … Two-time San Diego Union Tribune All-Section and All-Academic pick and two-time All-Division IV selection … Led team to CIF Division IV finals in 2007, 2009 and 2010 … Salutatorian of graduating class … Recipient of the Distinguished Christian High School Student Award for Academic, Leadership and Athletics and the California Legislature awarded Outstanding Achievement in 2010 … Recipient of the Principal's Award in 2007 and involved with the President's education awards program in 2006 and 2008 … Served as an assistant junior high school softball coach for two seasons … Enjoys reading, swimming, sports, scrapbooking, shopping, coaching, going to the beach and hanging out with friends.