Nov. 30, 2010
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham Head Softball Coach Bridget Orchard announced today that five players have signed national letters of intent to play softball at Fordham University, starting with the 2012 season. They are pitcher/infielder Taylor Pirone (New Rochelle, N.Y./Ursuline), infielder Kayla Lombardo (Pompton Plains, N.J./Pequannock Township), pitcher/infielder Michele Daubman (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge), outfielder Samantha Smith (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East), and infielder/outfielder Serena Moroukian (Niskayuna, N.Y./Niskayuna).
"I am very excited about our 2011 signing class. This year's senior class will be the toughest to replace since I began coaching, but I am very optimistic with the players we signed. They have very big shoes to fill as we graduate five starting seniors," said Orchard.
Pirone, a 5-9 pitcher/infielder, is a four-year varsity softball player at Ursuline High School in New Rochelle, New York. A 2011 team captain, she has been a dominant player for Ursuline, finishing her junior season as a top three finalist for the New York State Gatorade Player of the Year award, as well as being an NFCA Second Team East Region selection. She broke all of Ursuline's pitching records for wins, strikeouts, ERA, and shutouts in just three seasons, and has led Section 1 in ERA all three seasons with marks of 0.57 (2008), 0.35 (2009), and 0.36 (2010). She earned All-State honors twice, and All-Section, All-County, and All-NYSPHSAA League honors three times. In addition to her pitching prowess, Pirone can also deliver at the plate, hitting .440 with five home runs and 34 RBI as a junior.
In addition to her play at Ursuline, Pirone is team captain for her summer ball team, the Jersey Inferno Gold, which placed 17th at the ESPN Rise Nationals in 2010, where Pirone ranked in the top ten at the event in ERA (0.64), while leading the team with a .412 batting average, two home runs, and seven RBI. Away from the field, she is a four-time New York State Scholar-Athlete Award winner, and has received the Italian Achievement and Service Awards and has been a member of the honor roll.
"Taylor has played at the highest level in summer ball and is a fierce competitor. She will look to step in and help our pitching rotation, play first base and add power to the line up with her bat," said Orchard.
Lombardo, a 5-8 infielder, is a four-year varsity softball player at Pequannock Township High School in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. Seeing action at both third base and shortstop over her first three seasons, she has amassed a career .442 batting average and 120 hits. She is a three-time First Team All-Area selection, and has twice been named First Team All-State Group 2 and First Team All-County. She helped lead Pequannock to consecutive Morris County Championship, as well as the 2009 State Championship, the first in school history.
In addition to her play at Pequannock Township, Lombardo plays summer ball for the Morris County Belles 18U Gold, where she is the starting shortstop, but has also seen time at catcher. Away from the field, she is a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies and is an AP Scholar. She also serves as the school newspaper's editor-in-chief and is an intern for Jersey Sports Now, as a high school sports journalist.
"Kayla is another player who can do it all. She will give us depth at catching and can play third base, as well as shortstop," said Orchard.
Daubman, a 5-8 pitcher/infielder, is a multi-sport athlete at Plainedge High School in North Massapequa, New York, entering her fourth season of varsity softball, while also playing for the soccer and basketball teams. She was a 2010 NFCA First Team Regional All-American, after being a Second Team selection in 2009. A two-time First Team All-State and All-Long Island selection, she received the 2009 Nassau County Player of the Year and the 2010 Plainedge High School Athlete of the Year awards, and holds most of the school records for both hitting and pitching. She holds the single season batting average mark at .632, while holding career marks for home runs (13), stolen bases (47), triples (13), RBI (71), and hits (122). In the circle, she has a 0.73 ERA with 211 strikeouts in 151 innings pitched.
For summer ball, Daubman plays for the Long Island Spartans, while in the classroom, she has been a Scholar-Athlete Award winner for softball, basketball, and soccer, a member of the National Honor Society, and received department awards in seven different subjects.
"Michele is one of the best all-around athletes coming into our program and we are excited for her to be part of our team. She adds depth to our pitching staff as well as at shortstop," said Orchard.
Smith, a 5-4 outfielder, is a four-year varsity softball player at Sachem High School East in Farmingville, New York. She brings a new element to the Rams' outfield as a natural left-handed player, who has earned All-League and All-Division honors in each of her last two seasons. On top of her play as a softball player, she has been an accomplished indoor track runner, earning All-League honors twice, and helped set the school record in the 4x200 relay.
For summer ball, Smith has played for the LI Express 18U Gold and the LI Sudden Impact 18U Gold. In the classroom, she has been honored three-times as a New York State Scholar-Athlete Award winner as both a softball player and track athlete, and is a member of the National and Foreign Language Honor Societies.
"Samantha will be a great weapon with her speed from the left side of the plate. She gives our team a true triple threat, and another option in the outfield," said Orchard.
Moroukian, a 5-7 utility player, is another multi-sport athlete, playing both varsity softball and volleyball at Niskayuna High School in Niskayuna, New York. She is a three-time Times Union First Team All-Star for the Suburban Council from 2008-10, while earning First Team All-Star status from the Troy Record in 2009.
For summer ball, Moroukian plays for the Electric City Bombers. Away from the field, she is a member of the National Honor Society and received cum laude honors on the National Latin Exam in 2009.
"Serena is a versatile player that can play both infield and outfield, bringing both speed and power to the plate," said Orchard.
