Kirtland, Ohio- Head coach Jeff Morganti and his staff have worked hard and once again have found abundant success in the 2017 signing class for Lakeland women's softball.
Kallista Hribar, Elizabeth Montgomery, Samantha Szoradi, Dana Turchon, Nicole Watts and Cassidy Yarnell are all set to join the Lakers in the fall of 2017.
Coach Morganti and his staff are watching current players work with these new players as Lakeland adds more student-athletes to campus, and looks forward the upcoming softball season.
Kallista Hribar, Union Grove High School, Sturtevant, Wisconsin
Joining the Lakers from Wisconsin, Hribar is a skilled all-around player. Hirbar plays centerfield, catcher and short stop. According to Union Grove High School Coach, Ryan Boylen, "Kallista is a phenomenal talent and true five-tool playing in every sense of the term. There haven't been many young ladies that I've had the opportunity to coach that I have been in such awe of as I am with what Kallista had the ability to do on the diamond." Hirbar has earned second-team All-state, first-team All-Southern Lakes and first-team All-District 6. Hit a .505 with a .528 on-base percentage and a .939 slugging percentage. Hribar is planning on studying business while attending Lakeland.
From Coach Morganti: "Kallista is a very talented softball player. She gives us many options with her defensively. She is a left-handed power bat. Kallista really enjoyed her visit and we're happy she has chosen to come to Lakeland."
Elizabeth Montgomery, Madison High School, Madison, Ohio
A talented outfielder from Madison, Ohio, is excited to join the Lakers this upcoming fall. Montgomery not only excelled on the field but off the field as well. In 2014 she was named Top of the Class (science) and was also named Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Scholar Athlete Award (2016). Of the field Montgomery was named second-team All-Conference (2014), Premier Athletic Conference Honorable Mention (2015) and Honorable Mention All-Northeast Ohio (2016). While at Lakeland, Montgomery plans to study accounting.
From Coach Morganti: "We're happy Liz is coming to Lakeland. She's an excellent student. She's athletic and gives us lots of options in the outfield."
Samantha Szoradi, Eastlake North High School, Eastlake, Ohio
Szoradi will be an asset to the Lakers defense this upcoming season. Szoradi has already tackled a year of academics at Lakeland and made the dean's list during the fall semester (2016) and was on the principal's list at North (2016). In addition to strides in the classroom, Szoradi has earned Western Reserve Conference Honorable Mention (2016), Willoughby Starzz: Defensive MVP (2014) and Team MVP (2013). She will continue to work toward her associate of science degree.
From Coach Morganti: "Samantha is a College Credit Plus student, so it'll be a smooth transition for her in the fall. Sam can play all outfield positions and gives us depth. She's looking forward to continuing her academic and softball careers at Lakeland."
Dana Turchon, Eastlake North High School, Willowick, Ohio
Turchon is looking to add that extra spark to the Lakers. She has had success in and out of the classroom. She was on the honor roll (2016) and made the principal's list (2016). In 2015, Turchon earned the Newcomer's Award for Varsity and was also was given the offensive award (2014). While at Lakeland, Turchon will be studying Nursing.
From Coach Morganti: "Dana really enjoyed her Lakeland visit. She has versatility and can play third base and first. We're going to take a look at her behind the plate as well."
Nicole Watts, Mathews High School, Vienna, Ohio
The 5'5" pitcher from Vienna will be an asset to the Lakers defense. In 2016, Vienna earned academic achievements as part of the Northeaster Athletic Conference All-Academic Team and also won the Scholar Athlete Award (2016). On the field, Watts was named All-district pitcher (2016) and won the Northeast Athletic Conference All Star Award (2016). Watts is looking forward to studying business management during her time Lakeland.
From Coach Morganti: "We're excited to add Nicole into our pitching rotation for next season. She had a very good year as a junior at (Vienna) Mathews HS."
Cassidy Yarnell, Bowling Green High School, Bowling Green, Ohio
Yarnell is excited to start her career as a Laker, and is hoping to gain even more knowledge about the game. She is looking to bring an extra threat to the Laker defense at third base. In 2015 she was named MVP of her varsity team. At Lakeland, Yarnell is planning to study accounting.
From Coach Morganti: "Cassidy will help us at third base. She gives us middle infield depth as well and has a power bat."
*UPDATE* April 5, 2017
Cameron Malkamaki, Riverside High School, Painseville, Ohio
A solid defender from Riverside High School, Malkamaki is excited to join the Lakers this upcoming fall. Off the field, Malkamaki was part of the Honor Roll all four years of high school. Out of the classroom, Malkamaki was named team captain (2017), won the Coach's Award (2016), earned Honorable Mention Western Reserve Conference (2016) and also earned Second-Team Premier Athletic Conference (2015). She enjoys various activities off the softball field including snowmobiling and kayaking. She plans to earn her associates of art degree while getting better at softball.
From Coach Morganti: "Cameron comes to us from a very successful Riverside program. She's a middle of the order hitter who has versatility defensively. She'll compete for time in the OF and 1B. She'll also see time for us behind the plate."
Selena Rodriguez, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, Akron, Ohio
A talented short-stop from Akron, Ohio is excited to take her game to the next level with the Lakers. Rodriguez was on the Merit Roll all four years of high school. One of her goals upon starting Lakeland is to maintain her good grades while taking on a college sport. In 2016, she earned Defensive MVP award, and earned a varsity letter all four years. She plans to study psychology at Lakeland.
From Coach Morganti: "Selena can play both middle infield positions and gives us added depth. She was a middle of the order hitter at Akron St.Vincent-St. Mary high school where she played in District final and Regional semifinal games over the previous two seasons."
*UPDATE* June 5, 2017
Leichtman is joining the Lakers from Cardinal High School, where she earned awards in academics and athletics, including Certificate of Achievement, American Citizenship Award, Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award, US Marine Corps Athletic Achievement Award, CVC All Academic (2017) and CVC Honorable Mention(2016, 2017). When asked about her goals as a student-athlete at Lakeland, Leitchman responded, "My goal is to prove that even though others may have more talent than me, that's no excuse for anyone to work harder than me and surpass my goals that I have set for myself."
Takacs is joining the Lakers from Grand Valley High School, where she earned awards in academics and athletics, including All-Conference Academic Award (2015-2017), Hon. Mention Northeast Ohio and 2nd Team All-Conference (2017 & 2016). She will be studying to becoming an x-ray technician at Lakeland.