Nov. 27, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova University softball program received four National Letters of Intent in the recent signing period for the class of 2012. The Wildcats picked up two dominant pitchers along with two speedy outfielders. All four signees are expected to enroll for the 2008-09 academic year. The four signees will be looked upon to help fill the void left by this season's six graduating seniors.

"We are very excited with the class of 2012," said head coach Maria DiBernardi. "We set out to replenish our outfield and pitching and we achieved that goal. We are bringing in two young ladies with tremendous speed in the outfield who will both battle for the open spots left by our seniors next season. We also signed two pitchers that have experience pitching at a very high level of club ball. Both have good speed and terrific movement on their pitches. This is a highly talented class of athletes who will complement our team and help maintain a potent and lively offensive and defensive plan of attack for our opponents."

Below are the profiles of each of the signees.

Tessa Braga

2B/OF/SS

(Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS)

Arizona Desert Thunder Gold/Arizona Suncats

Braga was a member of the 4A1 State Champion Runner-Up in 2007 while garnering All-Region Second Team honors. She also received All-State Honorable Mention as well as First Team All-Conference. She was selected as team captain in 2007 following two consecutive seasons as a member of the All-Conference Second Team.

"She's a lefty with tremendous speed. Tessa is a playmaker. When she puts the ball in play, things happen. She is a defensive menace who will force her opponents to play flawlessly or she will use it to her advantage. Shannon plays for the Desert Thunder Gold one of the premier teams in the state of Arizona."

Caitlyn de la Haba

P/OF

(Ashburn, Va./Broad Run HS)

Virginia Shamrocks

De La Haba was named to the 2007 Louisville Slugger/NFCA High School All-American Second Team as well as being named the Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year. She's a two-time Washington Post First Team member, two-time All-Region First Team member and a two-time All-State Player in Virginia. In 2007 she was named Region II Player of the Year as well as Dulles District Player of the Year. She led her squad to a AA State Title along with a fifth place ranking in the country by USA Today. She was named Broad Run's MVP as she went 28-0 with a .19 ERA. She recorded 400 strikeouts over 186 innings with 10 no-hitters all in just 2007. She was also named to the Washington Post All-Extra Team and the Loudoun Times Mirror Female Athlete of the Year. She went 26-1 in 2006 well garnering even more awards.

"Caitlyn plays for the Virginia Shamrocks who are ranked in the top-10 nationally every year and will come to VU ready to compete at the college level. She is a smart pitcher with good movement and velocity. She has a good presence on the mound and will keep her batters of balance with a variety of pitches."

Molly Manning

P/2B

(Ponte Verde Beach, Fla./Bartram Trail HS)

Jacksonville Storm Gold

Manning was a member of the Bartram Trail HS team that won the St. John's River Conference Championship along with the District 3-5A Championship. She led her 2007 squad in almost every statistical category including batting average (.417), RBI (25), slugging percentage (.640) and ERA (0.00). She was the 2007 County Player of the Year, District Player of the Year and All-State First Team member. She was also named to the All-Jacksonville Area First Team in 2007. In 2007, she went 10-0 with a 0.00 ERA while averaging 10 strikeouts a game.

"Molly plays club ball for the Jacksonville Storm, a well coached and strong team out of Florida. Molly has tremendous spin and movement on her pitches. Her location is precise which will enable her to exploit a batters weakness. Molly is also a solid hitter for her team and will add some offensive pop to our lineup."

Shannon O'Brien

OF/SS/2B

(Roseville, Calif./St. Francis HS)

Runnin Rebels Gold/Repgala

O'Brien is a four-year varsity starter at St. Francis HS. She led the team in batting average her freshman season while finishing sixth in the league in that same category. Her sophomore season she led the team to a third place finish in the Division I Sectionals. She hit for a .400 average while reaching base safely in all seven playoff games. She will serve as team captain in 2008 following her first three years of stellar play.

"Shannon is another speedy outfielder that will add the needed speed to our offensive attack. The first time I saw Shannon play she made a phenomenal catch in centerfield and I knew that was the kid we wanted. Shannon is a leadoff batter that can hit for power and slap and will keep the defense honest. She is versatile and can play both infield and outfield. Shannon plays summer ball for The Runnin Rebels Gold a historically strong and well coached team from northern California."