Softball: Panthers sign three for next season

Versatility is a word Pitt softball coach Holly Aprile used frequently to describe her incoming… Versatility is a word Pitt softball coach Holly Aprile used frequently to describe her incoming group of freshman softball players.

In December, Aprile said the Panthers signed two freshmen for next fall — Emily Nowicki from Greensburg, Pa., and Krista Rodgers from Loxachatchee, Fla.

A third freshman — Holly Stevens, from San Pedro, Calif. — will also join the Pitt softball roster next year, Aprile announced last week. Aprile said all three players can help the team next year because they can all play multiple positions.

Stevens, a catcher, was the 2009 Los Angeles city player of the year. Her team at San Pedro High School won the Los Angeles city section title for the fourth consecutive year. Heading into the championship game, Stevens had a .400 batting average and 31 RBIs.

She was named to the 2008 Press-Telegram Dream Team, as well as the 2008 Daily Breeze All-Area Team.

Stevens is a right-handed power hitter, Aprile said, and she pointed to the versatility the catcher will bring to the team.

“Holly is a huge for us,” Aprile said. “She plays first base, she plays the outfield, [and] she can play third base, as well. I expect her to really produce at the plate and to really help us out.”

The catching position is vacant with senior Sam Card graduating, and Aprile said either Stevens or sophomore Keli Gaynor will start as catcher.

Last year, Card batted .277, hit three home runs and had a team-high 28 RBIs.

“Obviously, it’s hard to replace those numbers right away, but I do believe Holly has the capabilities to step in,” Aprile said.

Local recruit Nowicki attended Greensburg Central Catholic High School, where she held a .460 batting average last season.

As a high school sophomore, she had an 11-1 record as a pitcher and was named to the all-region team. She batted .631 as a junior, recording a hit in all 19 games of the season, and was an all-section infielder.

Nowicki’s father, Ed Nowicki, is a former Pitt baseball player who graduated in 1986.

Emily Nowicki also brings plenty of versatility to the Panther squad, Aprile said, adding that Nowicki will likely play in the outfield, but she can also play infield.

“I think that she’ll be able to sure up our outfield,” Aprile said. “She can really produce at the plate and help our offensive attack, too.”

Similarly, Rodgers is primarily an outfielder, but she can also catch, Aprile said.

“She’s got good speed, and she’s very aggressive in the outfield. I also expect her to help us a lot at the plate,” Aprile said.

Rodgers was named to the Palm Beach Post All-Area first team and was her team’s most valuable player for the 2006-07 season. Over the past two seasons, Rodgers had a .543 batting average and 43 extra-base hits. She also played for the Davie Power-Black travel softball team.

Aprile said she hopes the incoming freshman class can aid the Panthers on the offensive end, at which they struggled last season.

Pitt’s .231 team batting average last season was 12th in the 13-team conference. The Panthers scored 190 runs, which was ninth in the Big East.

But Aprile said the Panthers aren’t just looking for their recruits to help score runs. The Panthers finished last year with the fourth most errors in the Big East (66) and ninth in field percentage (.959).

“We are definitely looking to bring in some offensive power, because that’s where we fell short last season, but we’re looking for good defensive players, too,” Aprile said.