WINTER ’17-’18

IN THIS ISSUERecap Spring SeasonPage 2

Meet the Returning ColonelsPage 3

Holiday Card Page 6

CampsPages 7

Where Are They Now? Page 8

Hall of Fame Announcement Page 9

ScheduleCome watch us play!Page 10

Alumni Appreciation Day/Batgirl Spots OpenPage 11

Softball Newsletter

WINTER ’17-’18WINTER ’17-’18

The 2017 season was a year of many amazing plays, wins and accomplishments! Beginning the season with the most successful start in program history, Wilkes returned from Myrtle Beach with a 7-1 record. Our success didn’t stop there. After a win against cross-town rival Kings, Wilkes clinched a berth in the MAC Freedom Conference Tournament for the first time since 2008. After being picked 7th in the conference in a pre-season poll, the Colonels worked and played hard to finish the season in second place. Many of our players received recognition for their athletic performances throughout the season, with three MAC Freedoms Player of the Week selections, three ECAC Corvais Division III North Player of the Week selections and two NFCA Selected Top Performances. Recognition did not stop there, with eight players being selected to All-MAC Freedom teams. The Wilkes Colonels hope to continue their trajectory of success into the 2018 season, starting the season off again in Myrtle Beach!

Go Colonels!

2017 SEASON RECAP RETURNING PLAYERS

#34 CELINE PODLESNEY Position: P/UTLMajor: PsychologyClass Year: 2020

Celine Podlesney joins Wilkes from Hazle Twp., Pa. where she played for Hazleton High School and the Stripes & Strikes travel organization. Playing for Hazleton, she won her district, reached the semi-finals of the state tournament and was selected

First Team All-State, Second Team All-Region Northeast, Wyoming Valley Conference First Team and MVP as a senior. In her freshman campaign at Wilkes she led the team with a .387 batting average and had a 2.02 ERA in 107.2 innings. Off the field she was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and was on the Dean’s List both semesters.

#19 CAITLIN BROWNPosition: P/UTLMajor: PsychologyClass Year: 2019

Caitlin Brown comes to Wilkes from Glen Cove, NY, where she played for Glen Cove High School. There she received Team MVP Honors and was given All-County Division I honors after an outstanding senior season. Once at Wilkes, she made

an immediate impact by batting .292 her freshman season and .352 her sophomore season. This led to her selection on the All-MAC First Team after her sophomore season. Her accomplishments didn’t stop on the field, with Caitlin also being the Vice President of the Nursing Student Organization and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

#44 CHRISTINA GAMBINOPosition: P/UTLMajor: PsychologyClass Year: 2018

Christina Gambino comes to Wilkes from Basking Ridge, NJ, where she played for Ridge High School and the Jersey Fusion travel organization. While playing for Ridge she batted over .400 throughout her high school career and received the 2014 Raritan

Valley UNICO Brian Piccolo Award for scholar athletes. In her years at Wilkes she has played in over 100 games and has a career batting average of .310 and received All-MAC Honorable Mention last season. Off the field Tina is heavily involved in research and preparing for masters level programs in athletic training.

#8 ERIKA GERACEPosition: P/UTLMajor: NursingClass Year: 2020

Erika Gerace joined Wilkes from Schuylkill Haven, Pa., where she played for Blue Mountain High School and the NEPA Black Widows travel organization. Erika helped Blue Mountain to three district playoffs and earned Republic Herald All-Area Honorable Mention as a senior. During

her freshman year at Wilkes, Erika scored the go-ahead run against Kings to secure Wilkes’ first conference tournament berth since 2008. Outside of athletics, Erika stays involved in nursing program and recently received her white coat.

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RETURNING PLAYERS

#11 HALEY WELKER Position: UTLMajor: Middle Level EducationClass Year: 2019

Haley Welker came to Wilkes from Nazareth, Pa., where she played for Nazareth High School. While at Nazareth she was selected Third Team All-Area by Morning Call, received the Kyle Miller Courage Award in 2015 and was a member of the National Honors Society. Since being at Wilkes, she has

batted .346 over two seasons and was named to the 2017 All-MAC Freedom Conference First Team. After being named to the Dean’s List for each of her college semesters, Haley was named an 2016 NFCA All-American and placed on the MAC Academic Honor Roll both years. She was also inducted into the international education honors society, Kappa Delta Pi, and inducted into Alpha Chi Honors Society which recognizes the top 10% of each class. She also received the Marla Hosie Memorial Award.

#4 GRACEN STAUNTONPosition: P/UTLMajor: PsychologyClass Year: 2020

Gracen Staunton joins the Colonels from Kernersville, NC, where she played for Northwest Guilford High School, Yak Fastpitch Travel, Firecrackers NC Travel and NC Bandits Travel organizations. While at Northwest Guilford, she won four conference

championships, was named conference Pitcher of the Year twice, and a three time North Carolina 4A All-State Honoree. Once she traveled up north to Wilkes she had a successful freshman year, being named to the All-MAC Freedom First Team and selected Honorable Mention All-ECAC Division III North. Off the field, Gracen is working to become an occupational therapist.

#32 KALIYAH MOOREPosition: UTLMajor: NursingClass Year: 2020

Kaliyah Moore joins us from Williamsport, Pa., where she played for Williamsport Area High School. While at Williamsport, she went to district championships all four years, an All-State Honorable Mention as a junior and First Team Central Penn League as

a senior. She was also a National Honors Society Member. At Wilkes her freshman year, Kaliyah was selected All-MAC Freedom Honorable Mention after hitting .346 with 11 RBIs. She was also selected MAC Academic Honor Roll after completing her first year of the nursing program. She received her white coat this fall.

#13 MIA LUSSIERPosition: OFMajor: PharmacyClass Year: 2018

Mia Lussier hails from Somerset, Ma., where she attended Somerset Berkley High School. There she graduated in the top 10 of her class and received the UPENN book award as a junior. Once at Wilkes, Mia served as an experienced pinch runner while also receiving various academic awards including

being inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, chosen for the MAC Academic Honor Roll twice. This year marked her first year in pharmacy school after three years of rigorous work.

RETURNING PLAYERS

#22 SARAH GIBSON Position: UTLMajor: NursingClass Year: 2020

Sarah Gibson joins Wilkes from Chico, Ca., where she played for Pleasant Valley High School and the Chico Starz, NorCal Mavericks, Team TFS Stiggy’s Travel Organizations. At Pleasant Valley, she was a four year CIF Northern Section champion, league champion her freshman,

sophomore and junior seasons and a CIF Northern Section All-Star. In her freshman year at Wilkes, Sarah hit .358 in 38 game appearances and was also named to All-MAC Freedom Second Team.

#23 SARAH BIRCHMEIERPosition: UTLMajor: Education and SpanishClass Year: 2018

Sarah Birchmeier comes to Wilkes from Cherry Hill, NJ, where she played for Cherry Hill East High School. At Cherry Hill East, Birchmeier received the Coach’s Award three times and was on the academic honor roll for every semester. At Wilkes, she has

had a career batting average of .310, was a two time NFCA Academic All-America Scholar, and two time Second Team All-MAC Freedom. Off the field, Sarah works exceptionally hard to attain two degrees in Education and Spanish.

WINTER ’17-’18WINTER ’17-’18

In preparation for the wonderful holiday season, the Wilkes Softball team took to campus to take some holiday pictures for our annual holiday card! We used our beautiful surroundings (statues, buildings and even trees were included!) to get the perfect picture to capture our team’s personality. This year, the picture we decided to choose was in between the pillars that look towards the new art gallery and the McHale Athletic Center! We sent a card to each alum in our database. If you did not receive one, please let us know so we can update your address.

HOLIDAY CARD

We had three wonderful camps so far this year! Our Columbus Day Pitching Camp, Halloween Defense and Hitting Camp and our most recent All Skills Camp all had great players of all ages showing and improving their talents! The Wilkes players really enjoyed being able to teach these younger players everything they have learned. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for everyone!

CAMPS

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Laurie Agresti ’07

Why did you choose to attend Wilkes University?I chose to attend Wilkes University because of its size and proximity to family. It was important to me to attend a school where my family could continue to support both my athletic and academic pursuits.

What was your intended career path before graduating from Wilkes University? Did you end up where you thought you would?My intention was to become a Certified Public Accountant. Yes, since graduating from Wilkes I passed the CPA exam and currently work as the Internal Audit Manager at the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund.

What degree(s) did you earn from Wilkes University?Bachelor of Science in Accounting

How did your education and athletic experience enhance or change your college experience?My college experience was enhanced by the mentoring environment fostered by the professors at Wilkes. I was fortunate to have been taught by faculty members who had a vested interest in my personal success. They provided me with the professional and leadership skills needed to make a successful transition into the workforce. My academic achievements and time on the softball field remain the highlight of my college experience.

What piece of advice would you give to student/athletes attending Wilkes University?Your time at Wilkes represents a small but pivotal chapter of your life. Find your passion and pursue it. Have fun but work hard. Celebrate your triumphs and learn from your mistakes.

What did/do you enjoy about Wilkes Softball?The camaraderie with my teammates and coaches. Also, I still enjoy returning to Ralston Complex to watch softball games.

How has your athletic experience at Wilkes impacted your professional life? My success as an athlete was the direct result of self-discipline, determination and a strong support system. These same attributes have led to professional achievements such as passing the CPA exam and obtaining a position in management.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What is your favorite memory of Wilkes Softball?I have many; however, our team earning the Freedom conference championship in 2006 and surpassing the 1,000-strikeout mark during my senior year represent a few of my favorite memories.

What is the most valuable information you learned while you were in school at Wilkes University?Positive mentoring, persistent individual effort and dedication to team concept equals success.

Please share something about your life after Wilkes. Family? Kids? Significant other? Travels? Etc.I met my husband while attending Wilkes. We married on September 21, 2013, and welcomed our first child, a daughter, on October 20, 2017.

HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCEMENTAgresti not only dominated at the conference and regional level, but her performance in the circle remains a legacy at the national level to this day. Agresti finished her career as one of the greatest strikeout pitchers in the country in NCAA Division III. She currently ranks sixth in the entire NCAA (I, II and III) in strikeouts per seven innings (second in Div. III) at 12.40. Her 1,040 career strikeouts remains in the top 15 in DivisionIII. Agresti was a four-time First Team All-Middle Atlantic Conferenceselection and earned Pitcher of the Year honors all four years at Wilkes.She also was named All-Region and All-American every year for herplay in the circle. Agresti led the nation in strikeouts in 2004 and 2005and finished second in 2006 and 2007 including a career-high 20strikeouts against cross-town rival King’s during her rookie season.

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In case you were wondering when you could “join us” this season, here is our spring 2018 schedule!

MARCH3 Saturday Wilkes @ Shenandoah 10 a.m. 12 p.m. 3-11 Snowbird Tournament Myrtle Beach, SC (8 games) TBD15 Thursday Penn College @ Wilkes 4 p.m. 6 p.m.17 Saturday Eastern @ Wilkes* 1 p.m. 3 p.m.20 Tuesday Wilkes @ Lycoming 3 p.m. 5 p.m.23 Friday SUNY Potsdam @ Wilkes 4:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.24 Saturday Wilkes @ Misericordia* 1 p.m. 3 p.m.29 Thursday Wilkes @ Delaware Valley* 3 p.m. 5 p.m.

APRIL5 Thursday Wilkes @ Marywood 3 p.m. 5 p.m.7 Saturday Kings @ Wilkes* 1 p.m. 3 p.m.10 Tuesday Wilkes @ Keystone 3 p.m. 5 p.m.14 Saturday Wilkes @ Manhattanville* 1 p.m. 3 p.m.17 Tuesday Clarks Summit @ Wilkes 6 p.m. 8 p.m.19 Thursday Wilkes @ Susquehanna 3 p.m. 5 p.m.21 Saturday FDU @ Wilkes* 1 p.m. 3 p.m.24 Tuesday Scranton @ Wilkes 5 p.m. 7 p.m.28 Saturday Wilkes @ DeSales* 1 p.m. 3 p.m.

MAY4-6 Freedom Conference Championships @ Wilkes

* indicates Freedom Conference gamesItalicized indicates home game

2018 SCHEDULEHopefully you have already marked your calendar but in case you have not, on April 21, 2018 we are hosting Alumni Appreciation Day. All of our amazing alumni and their families are invited to attend. We will be serving food and beverages (non-alcoholic, of course) after the second game. This event will be held together with our home doubleheader against Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham. The first game starts at 1 p.m., with recognition of attending alumni in between games. We hope many of you can attend and we will be sending more specific information out to all alumni soon!

We would like to invite any young softball players interested in being a batgirl to join us for a doubleheader this season. We will have spots for two batgirls per game. If you have a daughter, niece or any young athlete you think would like to be part of the game let us know! It would be a great experience for them to be in the dugout, meet the team and be a part of a college game. The dates for all of our home games are listed in the schedule on page 10 of this newsletter. We have already filled several spots so please let us know as soon as you can!

ALUMNI APPRECIATION DAY

CALLING ALL FUTURE COLONELS!

CONTACT US 570-408-4031

sarah.maulorico@wilkes.edu

Visit us on the web at www.gowilkesu.com

www.facebook.com/sarah.maulorico.5

@WilkesSoftball

@Wilkes_Softball