DiBernardi Signs Five to National Letters of Intent

Early signing period brings load of talent to Villanova

Softball head coach Maria DiBernardi

Nov. 19, 2004

VILLANOVA, Pa.--Head softball coach Maria DiBernardi announced on Friday, November 19 the signing of five student-athletes to national letters of intent to play softball at Villanova University for the 2005-06 academic year. Included in the recruiting class are two pitchers who will help to fill spots that seniors Shannon Williams and Kristen Haynes will leave following the 2005 season.

The signed pitchers include Laura Determan (San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo) and Megan Hord (Kissimmee, Fla./Osceola). Determan plays for the Southern California Breakers, an ASA-USA Junior Olympic 18U Gold Fastpich Softball organization.

"Laura has great movement and velocity on her pitches," DiBernardi said. "She has a great rise ball and will jump in and start right away, due to the departure of Haynes and Williams." Determan plans to major in Engineering.

Hord, whose twin sister Natalie will also attend Villanova, will share pitching duties with Determan. "Megan will fill some big holes and see playing time immediately," DiBernardi noted. "Her pitches also have great velocity." Hord will major in Nursing.

Natalie Hord, who plays for Dots Diamonds, an ASA Girls' Gold 18-Under Fast Pitch team with her sister, will assume catching and outfielder duties next season. "Natalie hits for power and is very fast," DiBernardi noted, "She has great speed on the base paths and will provide us with offense."

Rouding out the newcomers are Lauren Peterson (Irvine, Calif., Woodbridge) and Meghan Morese (Laguna Hills, Calif./Laguna Hills). Peterson, a catcher and first baseman, will help fill a hole in the outfield left by the senior class. "Lauren hits for power to all fields," DiBernardi explained," She has a good arm and is a smart catcher, has a good game sense." Peterson plays for the Irving Sting organization at the ASA Gold level. Morese, who plays for one of the top two ASA teams in the country, the California Cruisers, is a diverse player who will fill multiple positions.

"Meghan has a strong arm and quick reactions and is extremely accurate," Dibernardi said. "We will look to her to fill the catching position, or first or third base."

The 2005 softball team begins regular season play on Feb. 18 at the East Carolina Pirate Classic in Greenville, N.C.