Mount softball player Ryan headed to Caldwell College
Kelly Ryan has made her decision. Mount Saint Charles softball coach Cliff Matthews sends along this information about the senior's college plans:
Mount Saint Charles Academy Fast Pitch Softball is pleased to announce that senior stand out Kelly Ryan is signing a Letter of Intent to attend Caldwell College located in Caldwell, New Jersey. The Cougars are coached by Dean Johnson and participated in 2004 in the Division II College World Series Tournament. Every indication from Coach Johnson is that Kelly will have the opportunity to compete for the starting center field job as a freshman when she begins school next August.
Courtesy/Cliff Matthews
Mount Saint Charles fast-pitch coach Cliff Matthews and senior Kelly Ryan
Last year as a junior, Kelly turned in outstanding performances in several categories. She led Mount Saint Charles in batting average, on-base percentage, RBI’s and fielding percentage earning her Mount’s Most Valuable Player Award. As a pitcher, she was statistically among the best in the state with a 1.29 earned run average giving up 47 hits and 24 walks while striking out 130 over 98 innings. She was recognized two times as the Providence Journal Player of the Week and earned First Team All Division and Second Team All State Awards.
Over the summer, Kelly plays for the Rhode Island Thunder Gold 18-and-under college exposure team coached by Dave Lotti. In an incredibly competitive environment, she had a batting average of .360 and an on-base percentage of .393, both second on the team. She was also second on the team in stolen bases. “Kelly is the best outfielder to ever come through our program. In the last 96 games, she has committed only one error. She is an incredibly gifted athlete and coupled with her work ethic, I am convinced she will have a very successful college career,” stated Coach Lotti.
Part of the summer program included participation in the National Fast Pitch Coaches’ Association Exposure Camp in Pennsbury, Pennsylvania, one of five camps run nationwide by that organization who rates over 2,500 girls. Kelly was recognized in the October issue of the organization’s national magazine for coaches as the number one outfield college prospect in the nation. As a direct result of this outstanding performance, Kelly was strongly recruited by several Division One softball programs.
When asked why she chose a Division II school, Kelly responded, “Caldwell is the perfect balance of academics and athletics. I feel that I can still play softball in a very competitive program and still have the opportunity to concentrate on my studies while graduating in four years.”
“I know all the coaches in Rhode Island Division One softball join me in wishing this outstanding young woman the best of luck as she moves on to represent us at the college level”, stated Cliff Matthews, the Varsity Softball Coach at Mount Saint Charles Academy.