Nov. 17, 2008

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova softball team will receive help this season in highly touted freshman Caitlyn Delahaba. Delahaba joins the squad from Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Va., and will pitch for the Wildcats.

Delahaba's team was ranked No. 1 by USA Today and went undefeated as district, region and state champions in 2008. She was named an EA Sports first team All-American and is a two-time Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year.

"Caitlyn has played at a highest level possible and brings a wealth of good experience with her to the collegiate level," head coach Maria DiBernardi said. "She played for one of the top teams in the country and her experience shines through on the mound. Caitlyn had a great fall season for Villanova. As a freshman, she has shown that she has the leadership abilities and the confidence needed to continue her winning ways at the collegiate level. We are very happy to have her in our program."

Delahaba was named Dulles District Player of the Year, Region II Player of the Year and AA State Pitcher of the Year. She holds the national record in consecutive scoreless innings with 160 and racked up an 80-1 high school career record on the mound. Her ERA was 0.200 and she tallied 65 shutouts, threw 26 no-hitters and had 13 perfect games.

The 2009 season for the Wildcats will begin in February.