Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis softball team will welcome six players to the program. The student-athletes will arrive in Fall 2019 and play their first season in Spring 2020.
 
I'm very excited about this class," said head coach Jessica O'Donnell. "I can say with 100% certainty that this class is built to compete at a high level and they won't back down to any challenge."
 
The class includes three players from Pennsylvania, two from sunny California and one from Ohio. The six players include two pitchers, a catcher, an outfielder and two utility players. The two Californians represent a new recruiting terrain for the Red Flash program as it extends its national reach. 
 
O'Donnell continued to praise the class, "I love the competitiveness and drive from these ladies; I know they will fit in well with our culture and I am confident they will help us to continue to raise the bar daily."
 
O'Donnell adds the six players to a program coming off its second straight NEC Title, second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and second straight undefeated season against conference opponents.
 
Madeline Barnes
Catcher, Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills High School
 
Barnes is a catcher at Chino Hills High School under Mike Southworth. Her softball career took off during her junior year as she battled .429 to command the team to a 30-5 record. The team finished ranked ninth in the Golden State. She has been twice named a scholar athlete. Barnes plays for the Southern Cal Athletics travel team under the leadership of Ken Briggs. She once hit a walk-off double while being intentionally walked.
 
O'Donnell on Barnes: "Maddie commands the field like no other. Her softball IQ is off the charts! The biggest attribute that I like about Maddie is her consistency. She always shows up to play ball and she knows how to work. She also isn't afraid to go all out for her team either. She's a team player and that is hard to find these days. I'm excited to see Maddie bring her energy to Saint Francis."
 
Rachel Marsden
Pitcher, Erie, Pa./McDowell High School
 
Marsden is a four-year pitcher at McDowell High School under Maureen Wolfe. Displaying impressive leadership skills, she has been elected captain all four years at McDowell. She channeled Babe Ruth during her freshman year clubbing nine home runs, 32 RBI with a .500 batting average. As impressive as her hitting was, she dominated hitters to the tune of a 1.10 ERA and 131 strikeouts. During her sophomore year, she hit .478 and recorded a 1.28 ERA. In her junior year, she battled .420 and cut her ERA down to 1.02 while blowing 158 strikeouts past hitters. McDowell has finished top six in Class 6A for three straight years. Marsden was named Rookie of the Year, Region 7 Player of the Year, Region 7 Pitcher of the Year, District 10 All-Star, District 10 Player of the Year, and District 10 Pitcher of the Year for 2016, 2017 and 2018. She won the Varsity Cup Softball Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, Marsden holds seven all-time school softball records. She plays for the Pittsburgh Nitro travel team under the leadership of Jeff Cummings. She won the Scholar Athlete Award at McDowell.
 
O'Donnell on Marsden: "Rachel checks all the boxes for us. She can do anything we ask her to and she can play anywhere. I think what really stood out to me was her athleticism and willingness to compete. She bleeds black and red and I absolutely love that enthusiasm and passion for Saint Francis! I am very excited to have her on board."
 
Avery Nagle
Centerfield, Pine Grove, Pa./Pine Grove Area
 
Nagle is four-year ball-hawking centerfielder at Pine Grove Area under the coaching of Ryan Leffler. She made an immediate impact as a freshman batting .260 with three stolen bases. Her sophomore year saw her team go 25-3 to finish ranked fourth in the state and Nagle contributed with a .423 average and 12 stolen bases. Pine Grove Area, during her junior year, finished second in the state assisted by Nagle's .417 average and 13 stolen bases. Nagle was an All-Division, All-League and All-Area selection during her sophomore and junior years. She plays for the Gold Coast Hurricanes travel team under the direction of Mike Gress. Off the diamond, Nagle earned class salutatorian.
 
O'Donnell on Nagle: "Avery has all the tools that you could want in a student-athlete; speed, quickness, strong softball IQ, ability to make quick adjustments, leadership, and she gets it done in the classroom. What more could you ask for as a coach? I would put Avery's work ethic next to the best of them; she doesn't quit and that's the mark of a true competitor. The best part about Avery is there is no ceiling to her ability; she finds a way to get better every single day and that is a quality that I look for in my student-athletes."
 
Emily Nunez
Infielder/Outfielder, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Alta Loma High School
 
Nunez is a four-year infielder/outfielder at Alta Loma High School for William Eklund. Her batting average has steadily increased over the years culminating in a .400 sophomore season and a junior campaign of .469. Her batting led her team to a record of 17-9 last season and ranking of 188 in California. She was named Second Team All Mountain Baldy League and Teammate of the Year in 2017. In 2018, Nunez was awarded First Team All Mountain Baldy League. She plays on the Athletics Mercado 18U travel team under the direction of Amy Quinn.
 
O'Donnell on Nunez: "Emily is such a spark that is rare to find. She comes from a great travel organization that always competes against the best teams in the country, so she knows what it takes to win! Emily is a great person. After having one conversation with her you'll find she is so genuine and happy. From the first time I spoke to her, I knew she'd be a great fit for us, especially for what we're trying to build here. I want great people first and foremost and she just gets it."
 
Grace Vesco
Pitcher/Outfielder, Uniontown, Ohio/North Canton Hoover
 
Vesco is a four-year starter at North Canton Hoover High School for Jerry Goodpasture. She is a pitcher and outfielder. As a freshman, she pitched 121 innings, recording an earned run average of 1.73. In her sophomore season, Vesco hurled 125 innings with an earned run average of 2.06. In her junior year, she battled .337 with three home runs and 139 strikeouts in 146 innings. Vesco has been named to the First Team Federal League and the All-Stark County First Team. She has been on the honor roll for four years and has earned an academic letter all four years as well. She plays for the Ohio Outlaws Demarini travel team under the direction of Kevin Yun.
 
O'Donnell on Vesco: Grace is as competitive as they come. She gets what we're about here at Saint Francis! She bought into our mission and I can say with 100% certainty that she's ready to compete at this level. Mentally, there isn't anyone stronger than her. She has a confidence on the mound that pushes her to excel in every circumstance. Grace is so disciplined too! She works when no one is watching and doesn't look for praise. I cannot wait to see what she can do here!
 
Ashley Wruble
Middle Infielder, DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic
 
Wruble played middle infield at DuBois Central Catholic under George Heigel and she was captain of the 2018 squad that finished sixth in Pennsylvania. She immediately broke into the lineup as a freshman batting .583 with 36 RBI and a slugging percentage of .751. She followed up her success with a sophomore campaign of four home runs, 22 doubles and slugging .746. In her junior year, she batted a blazing .661 with five home runs, 30 RBI and a 1.250 slugging percentage. She earned 2016 D9 Rookie of the Year, 2016 First Team All-State, 2017 First Team All-State, 2018 AML MVP, 2018 TCE/CE Player of the Year, 2018 D9 Offensive Player of the Year and 2018 First Team All-State honors. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Wruble played volleyball and basketball in addition to softball.
 
O'Donnell on Wruble: Ashley is one of those role players every coach needs. Not only that, she just loves Saint Francis! I'm not sure that I've ever encountered a more committed player than her. She loves the game and is not afraid to go all out for the team. She's got a thirst for knowledge and growth that she will bring every day. She will be a role player for us in the future. I am happy to have her in the Red Flash Family!

The Red Flash open the season on February 8th at the Georgia Southern Tournament.