Softball Announces Incoming Class for 2024 Season

Bronx, N.Y. – (August 24, 2023) – Fordham softball head coach Melissa Inouye announced the addition of four players to the Rams' roster for the upcoming 2024 season.
 
The group is comprised of graduate student transfer Gianna Sarlo (Little Ferry, N.J./Bergen County Tech (Boston College)) and incoming freshmen Erin Hoppe (Bordertown, N.J./Bordertown Regional), Olivia Simcoe (Whitby, Ontario/All Saints Catholic), and Mikayla Swan (Whippany, N.J./Whippany Park).
 
 "We are excited to welcome our four newcomers to our Ramily, as we continue to find quality student-athletes locally and now internationally," said Inouye. "They provide good and competitive depth to our infield, outfield, and pitching staff and believe they will help us succeed in the near future. We're eager to start working with Gianna, Mikayla, Olivia and Erin and look forward to them competing and succeeding as Rams."
 
 

A 5-3 infielder, Sarlo spent the last four seasons at Boston College.  She appeared in 74 career games for the Eagles with her most success coming in the 2022 season, where she batted .357 with two doubles and two home runs.  She was twice named to the ACC Student Athlete Honor Roll (2020-21), while earning a spot on the NFCA Academic Honor Roll in 2021.  She graduated from Boston College with a degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education and will be pursuing her master's degree in education in Curriculum and Teaching at Fordham.
 
Prior to her time on Chestnut Hill, Sarlo was a four-year standout at Bergen County Tech in New Jersey, where she was a three-year captain, four-time team MVP, and set the school record for career hits (153).  A four-time First Team All-League performer, she was also a two-time First Team All-County pick in 2018 and 2019, an All-American nominee in 2018, and a two-time nominee for Bergen County Player of the Year award (2018 & 2019).  Sarlo also played summer ball for the NJ Pride.
 
Coach Inouye on Sarlo - "Gianna is a gritty ball player who will add good depth to our infield in a few positions. As a graduate transfer, she is mature, driven and brings experience as she played in the ACC and faced high level pitchers."
 
Sarlo on Why Fordham? - "As a graduate transfer, Fordham offers me the opportunity to play the sport I love, be closer to home, experience the vibrant city life, enjoy good food, and pursue a top-notch education for my master's degree. I'm incredibly grateful and excited to be joining the Ramily!" 

 

A 6-0 infielder, Hoppe was a four-year varsity softball player at Bordentown Regional High School in New Jersey.  A 2023 team captain, she hit over .350 for her career and was a two-time All-Liberty selection, earning First Team honors in 2023 and Second Team accolades in 2022.  She was additionally named to the All-South Jersey Team and to the Super 36 All-Star Game in 2023.  Hoppe also played summer ball for TNT National Godard.  In the classroom, Hoppe was a two-year member of the National Honor Society and was involved with the student council as a four-year representative and a three-year class secretary.
 
Coach Inouye on Hoppe - "Erin has a lanky build to her which allows her to have more range in the infield. She works hard, hustles and has a lot of upside to her offensive and defensive skills." 
 
Hoppe on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham for the great educational opportunities on a beautiful campus, as well as to be a part of the Ramily!"

 

Simcoe is a 5-5 right-handed pitcher, who spent four years at All Saints Catholic Second High School in Whitby, Ontario, Canada.  She was twice selected as team's MVP in both 2020 and 2023.  For summer ball, Simcoe plays for the Toronto Fastpitch Club, where she garnered the Top Pitcher Award at the 2023 U19 Canadian National Softball Championship, as the team placed fourth overall.  She also earned a silver medal at the 2023 U19 Provincials.  Away from the diamond, Simcoe was a four-year member of the honor roll at All-Saint Catholic.
 
Coach Inouye on Simcoe - "Olivia is another solid arm to our quality pitching staff and brings competitive international experience. She has an understanding of her pitching mechanics and has a good repertoire of pitches." 
 
Simcoe on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham because of the fantastic academics and because I fell in love with the beautiful campus and amazing coaching staff." 

 

A 5-5 outfielder, Swan was a multi-sport athlete at Whippany Park High School in New Jersey, competing in softball, basketball, and volleyball and earned the school's Most Outstanding Athlete Award in 2023.  In softball, she was a three-time First Team All-Conference and All-Academic Team selection.  Additionally, she grabbed All-State Group 1 accolades three times, garnering First Team honors in 2021 and 2023 and Third Team honors in 2022.  Hitting over .500 over her final three seasons, Swan also was a National Girls & Women in Sports Award winner and named to the Morris County All-Coaches softball team in 2023.  Swan played summer ball for the Lady Dukes Gold, while in the classroom, she was a member of the National Honor Society and received the President's Education Award and Distinguished Honors.
 
Coach Inouye on Swan - "Mikayla was a multi-sport athlete and her athleticism shows as she runs the bases and with her range in the outfield. She is another solid triple threat hitter and is fundamentally strong with her arm and bat. 
 
Swan on Why Fordham? - "I chose Fordham because I get to play the sport I love while getting a great education on the most beautiful campus."