July 7, 2011

BUFFALO, NY – Head coach Jen Teague has announced the addition of four players that will join the University at Buffalo softball team this upcoming season. Paired with the two players who signed National Letter's of Intent in the Fall, UB is now up to six newcomers for next season.

Karly Nevez played at Edmond Santa Fe High School where she led the team with a .495 batting average during her senior season.  Playing in 37 games, Nevez had a 55 hits, 17 more than any other player on her team, as well as five double and two triples.  In 111 plate appearances, she struck out just four times.  Expected to play the outfield at UB, Nevez was named Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Edmond Santa Fe Player of The Year.  Nevez also played her travel ball for the Tulsa Eagles.

Caitlin Dekker joins the Bulls after one season at Muskegon Community College where she batted .408 with 20 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 41 runs batted in earning her a junior college NFCA second-team All-American selection.  The Muskegon Jayhawks finished the season with a 38-17 record in 2011.  Prior to her one collegiate season Dekker lettered for four years at Deer Valley High School in Glendale, AZ where she was named All-Region.

Canton High School standout Samantha Brown will also be joining the Bulls next season.  Brown, who will be a utility infielder for the Bulls, was named by the New York State Sports Writers Association to the Class B All-New York State Softball team following a campaign where she hit .494 with eight doubles, four triples and 24 stolen bases.

Rounding out the additions is Nora McGuire, who hails from Benet Academy in Downer's Grove, IL.  McGuire is a 1B/DH, who can hit for power.  McGuire hit several big home runs for her team this past season, helping Benet Academy to a third place finish at the state tournament.

These additions join Alexis Curtiss and Cheyanne Knepper who signed with the Bulls back in November.  Both Curtiss and Knepper had outstanding senior seasons following their signings.

Curtiss' high school team won its third straight Division III Championship.  She was named the Division III Player of the Year as she batted .505 with seven home runs and 14 doubles. Curtiss plays travel ball with the San Diego Renegades, the same club as current UB player Sammi Gallardo.

Knepper continued her success in the circle as she was named the All-District 9AA Player of the Year for Good Pasture High School following a Tennessee State Championship.  Knepper's travel ball team the Louisville Sluggers just had an extremely successful weekend at the Louisville Slugger Softball Tournament in Boulder, Co.

"I am extremely pleased with the talent that we have coming in this Fall," said Teague.  "I believe our returning players got some great experience this past season and I look forward to getting this team together as we build toward our ultimate goal of a MAC Championship."