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Softball Receives Two NLIs During Spring Signing Period
June 7, 2006 ORONO, Maine - University of Maine softball head coach Stacey Sullivan announced on Wednesday that Cayleigh Montano (La Cruces, N.M.) and Kristen Calvetti (Milford, N.H.) have signed national letters of intent to join the program beginning with the 2007 season. The duo will begin classes at Maine in the fall of 2006. Montano pitched for Mayfield High School in La Cruces and was named an all-district selection at the AAAAA level from 2003-05. She struck out 130 batters in 147.1 innings pitched during her senior season and walked only 40. She posted an earned run average of .137 and was named the MVP of her high school team in 2004. Montano also pitched for her club team the Alberquerque Sol Gold, which qualified for the 2004 World Series in Aurora, Colo. She pitched the entire week for the Sol Gold and earned MVP honors in the tournament by striking out 63 and pitching five shutouts. "Cayleigh is a well-rounded, dominant pitcher," Sullivan said. "She will immediately add depth to our young pitching staff. She is a very well conditioned athlete and that will help her immensely at the college level." Calvetti played shortstop for Milford High School. She was named to the all-state first-team in 2005, as she posted a league-leading .516 average. Calvetti was also named to the Eagle Tribune All-Scholastic First-Team in 2005, and earned a spot on the All-Area Conference First-Team. Calvetti also competes for her club team the New Hampshire Black Widows and competed on her high school's basketball team. "We are very lucky to add Kristen to our program," Sullivan added. "Her dominant size and strength from the shortstop position will allow her to transition to the college game very easily. She is one of the top players to come out of the state of New Hampshire and she could add depth at any position in our infield." Montano's and Calvetti's signings gives the program a total of 10 freshmen for the 2007 season. A group of eight players signed NLIs in the early signing period in November. One of the players in the early group, Alexis Souhlaris, was recently named the 2006 New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year. The 10 newcomers will be joining a program which was one of the best in the Northeast during the 2006 season. The Black Bears won the America East regular season championship and set a school record for wins in a single season with 35. Sullivan was named the conference coach of the year, while redshirt freshman hurler Jenna Balent (Conifer, Colo.) was named the league rookie of the year and finished in the top 40 nationally for lowest ERA.
The eligibility of all student-athletes is contingent upon admission to the University of Maine and compliance with all NCAA rules, including registration with the NCAA Clearinghouse.
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