Softball Announces 2018 Recruiting Class

Bronx, N.Y. – Head coach Bridget Orchard and the Fordham softball program today announced their recruiting class of 2018, comprised of five players who have signed their national letters of intent. Ryan Henry, Maygan Loparo, Julia Martine, Makenzie McGrath, and Sarah Taffet will join the program starting next Fall.
 
"We are very excited to welcome five new members to our softball family," Orchard said, "Each of them brings something different to our program. This class is a very competitive, hard-working, and gritty group of players that love to win and play softball. They work extremely hard on and off the field and are great teammates."
 

 

Henry, a 5'4 catcher and utility player, hails from Ramsey, N.J., where she attended and played at Ramsey High School for four years under head coach Chris Caserta. Her team took home the Group 2 state championship her freshman year, but it was her sophomore year when Henry broke out, earning First Team All-League and First Team All-County. This past spring, Henry helped the Rams to the Bergen County championship and a State Sectional title, earning both awards for a second straight year but also All-State, as well, as named by the NJ Star Ledger. During her junior year, while serving as team captain for the first time, Henry hit .521 with 49 hits, 42 RBI, and eight home runs.
 
Orchard on Henry: "We are looking forward to having Ryan step in and add depth to our catching positon, while competing for playing time at other positions, as well. She is versatile and swings a big bat. She caught for Makenzie on the NJ Intensity travel team this past summer and we are looking for them to continue to do big things here at Fordham."

 

Loparo, a 5'5 catcher/outfielder, hails from Sugar Hill, Ga., where she played for four years at Lanier High School under head coach Ryan Hill. Loparo made an impact with the Longhorns since her freshman year, when she earned Second Team All-Region accolades. Her sophomore campaign saw her named First Team All-County and All-Region, as well as a Player of the Month honor. After a junior season in which Loparo garnered All-County honorable mention, she was back as a First Team All-County selection and was named Region 8 Player of the Year, as well. Loparo holds a career .407 batting average and .496 on-base percentage. Competing at the club level with the East Cobb Bullets, Loparo helped her team to the 2016 Junior Olympic Cup championship.

Orchard on Loparo: "Maygan brings speed and power to our lineup, and is able to play both the outfield and catcher. She will add another lefty triple threat to our offense. Maygan has played with some of the best softball programs in the country and against top caliber players in Georgia. She has played a ton of softball and loves to compete."

 

Martine, a 5'6 shortstop, hails from Hamilton, N.J. and was a three-sport athlete at Hamilton High School West. Under head coach Lindsey Diamond, Martine is a three-year team captain with the Hornets and team MVP the past two seasons. This past year, she was named First Team All-Colonial Valley Conference. Martine holds a career .477 batting average. Martine competes with Finch's Aces at the club level, helping the Cheetahs finish fifth at the Canada Cup International Tournament and ninth at the 2017 PGF National Championship. Off the field, she is a member of the National Honor Society and Latin National Honor Society, and was a 2017 Business Academic All Star.
 
Orchard on Martine: "Julia is a pure athlete that will look to compete for an infield position here at Fordham. She is another gritty player that works hard on and off the field to be the best she can be."

 

McGrath, a 5'4 pitcher, hails from Dumont, N.J. shere she earned four varsity letters at Northern Valley Demarest under head coach Gerard Hill. Named All-League during her first three seasons with the Norsemen, McGrath was also named All-State as a sophomore, helping her team to a state championship, and was named All-County each of the past two seasons, while serving as team captain. She plays her club ball with the NJ Intensity and has played on the Ireland Junior National team.
 
Orchard on McGrath: "I was so impressed with Makenzie's work ethic and drive to compete. She is a very talented pitcher whose hard work is paying off. Mak is the type of player you want to play behind; she gives all that she has and leaves it all on the field."
 
Taffet, a 5'5 shortstop, hails from Cedar Grove, N.J. played four seasons at Mount Saint Dominic Academy under head coaches Lorenzo Sozio and Rob Stern. Made an impact as a freshman, earning First Team All-Conference, All-County, and All-Non Public, while garnering Second Team All-State and All-Region honors. Repeated as First Team All-Non Public as a sophomore, and also earned Second Team All-County and All-Conference, and Third Team All-State honors. Last season, Taffet was named First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Non Public. She heads into her senior season as a team captain. She plays her club ball with New Jersey Pride Easton. Off the field, she is a member of the National Honor Society.  

Orchard on Taffet: "Sarah comes to us from the local NJ Pride travel team, which Fordham Hall of Famer Krystle Henry came from, so we are expecting to gain another player with a lot of grit, toughness, and hustle. Sarah is an exceptional fielder who is not afraid to get dirty. She's always one of the hardest workers on the field."