Fontbonne Softball Adds 11 Newcomers For 2022 Season

ST. LOUIS, Mo.—Head softball coach Casey Cromwell is pleased to announce 11 newcomers for the upcoming 2022 season.

Ellie Bartlett

A Hillsboro, Mo., native, Ellie comes to Fontbonne after being a 2020 First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, Second Team All-Region, and Academic All-State selectee at Hillsboro High School

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Ellie is a tough, competitive, bubbly and a powerful presence behind the dish and at the plate. Ellie has the tools and mindset to be an absolute game changer for us in many ways and we are excited to see her grow here. She's not only an awesome player but she's just a great person and teammate as well, her spunk will be a fun addition to the family.

Alaina Hotop

A Perryville, Mo., native, she joins Fontbonne after earning First Team All-District and All-Conference, while being named to the All-Southeast Missourian Team, Southeastern Missourian Team, and was the USSSA Great Lakes Nationals Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2018.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Sister to former Fontbonne player, Isabel Hotop, Aliana is a fantastic first baseman and power hitter. She's one of those kids when you go to a game you can't stop watching because of her focus yet her ability to pick all of her teammates up whether it be with a stretch at first, home run, or a calming smile. Her energy is contagious and her passion for being the best person possible will be a huge addition to our program and spark something within her teammates and coaches."

Hailey Kutz

A Cape Girardeau, Mo., native, had quite the stellar career at Notre Dame High School. The lefty hurler went 71-12 and totaled 468 strikeouts. In 2020, she owned a 1.59 and in her career was an All-Conference, All-District, All-Region, and the 2018 Southeastern Missourian Player of the Year.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"This is a kid I've been following since her freshman year but does not ask for the extra attention. She goes to work and gets what she needs to be done. She will be a pitcher only for us but will certainly do enough for us from the circle alone. Beyond being a threat on the mound, Hailey is just a kid you need in your program because she brings a unique energy that is to be admired and an academic focus that will hold her teammates accountable."

Abby Alonzo

An Oakville, Mo., native, Alonzo was a dual threat as a hitter and pitcher at Oakville High School. At the dish, she batted .365 totaling 11 homers and 63 RBI. Inside the circle, she went 17-5 with a 2.92 ERA. She racked up All-State, All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region honors in her career.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"One of my favorite things about Abby is her dual attitude to intimidate on the field but be bubbly and fun with her teammates off the field. She will throw hard for us on the mound and swings it very well. I believe when she is not pitching she'll compete for time at a corner and find her way into the lineup somewhere. She's just a true competitor and we know will go above and beyond to make us better on and off the field."

Hannah Borgmeyer

A Kansas City, Mo., native, attended Notre Dame De Sion High School playing first base and pitching.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Hannah throws a heavy ball on the mound which results in fly balls and ground balls for her team. She'll bring a different look to our staff at Fontbonne. Not only can she get results on the mound but she's also a solid hitter with a great deal of power potential at the plate."

Maddie Holtmeyer

A Washington, Mo., native, she was All-Conference, All-District, and All-Area at Washington High School as a utility player and pitcher.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Maddie comes from a solid travel ball organization with the STL Pirates that will help her transition to college softball. She's a right-handed pitcher who can hold it down on the mound but she's not limited to the circle as she's a fantastic second baseman and even more outstanding is her presence at the plate. Maddie is a player that you can put anywhere, and she will more than likely get the job done."

Madison Greco

A Pacific, Mo., native, and a transfer from East Central College, Greco was a Second Team All-Conference Selectee and named to the All-Region First Team after tying the single season record with 13 homers and led the NJCAA with 21 hit by pitches. She finished the year with a .308 clip, while leading in on-base percentage (.475), slugging percentage (.729), runs scored (44), home runs (13), and RBI (38).

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Madison is a player that every coach wants on their team. Leading the NJCAA in hit by pitches gives you a small glimpse of just how tough this kid is and what she will do for the team. On top of being a team player, she's an extremely coachable player that will listen, learn, and grow to be an even bigger player and person than she already is."

Kassidy Chrisco

A Rolla, Mo., native, Chrisco joins Fontbonne after being an outfielder at Rolla High School. While there, she was an All-Conference and All-District selectee.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Kass is a kid whose personality and athleticism stood out right away. Her spunky personality is contagious and she brings a lot of pop to the plate. We are excited to have her energy and spunk throughout the outfield."

Shaundel Schumacher

A Eureka, Mo., native, Schumacher was a utility player at Eureka High School. Back in the fall of 2017, she batted .276 in 30 plate appearances.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Shaundel reached out to us this year to look at transferring in after having taken time away from the game only to realize just how much she missed it. When talking with Shaundel, you could feel her passion and desire to get back into the game and play whatever role possible to help the team be successful. Sister to now sophomore, Mackenzie Schumacher, we know the type of all in player we are getting in Shaundel and we're excited to see where her passion helps us."

Allysa Ibarra

A Romeoville, Ill., native, Ibarra was a catcher and shortstop at Providence Catholic High School.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"Alyssa was another kid I saw at a camp and was absolutely blown away by her softball skills but by her attitude as well. I first saw her behind the plate and was drawn to her command of the field from the catching position to then learn she's an equally good shortstop with lots of speed. She will be a fantastic addition to our already strong left side of the plate in addition to her stellar defense."

Sam Foppe

A St. Louis, Mo., native, Foppe was an All-Region and Second Team All-State selectee at Notre Dame High School. She also batted .455 and owned a 1.82 ERA.

Coach Cromwell Thoughts:

"I think Sam could really be a secret weapon for us and even secretly to our staff. Every time I see her play I feel like she makes huge improvements and when she's not throwing hard on the mound she's making a difference on the field and at the plate. She's such a relaxed and stoic person I think not only will she be big for us in softball skills but also in her stoicism that will certainly be admired by her teammates and coaching staff."

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates on the softball  team.

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