LORETTO, Pa. - The Saint Francis softball team, led by Head Coach Jennifer Patrick-Swift, will welcome seven new players to the program, beginning in Fall 2017, after signing its recruiting class on Wednesday.  

"This class seems like they're already a part of our program in so many ways," said Patrick-Swift. "They have been to so many camps and countless number of games, they already understand what it means to be a Red Flash softball player."

"Our entire staff has worked tirelessly on this class and did a great job identifying, not only top-notch talent, but top-notch individuals for our university and community."

The seven new members will join a Red Flash program that has posted back-to-back 30 win season, including last year's school-record 34-win campaign.  The Red Flash also set a program record for NEC wins, with 13, and finished second in the conference, tying its highest finish.  SFU set conference records for home runs(81), runs(370) and RBI(344), while also setting school records for batting average(.290), hits(444), doubles(85) and walks(244).

"These players have played in travel organizations, such as Ohio Outlaws (Warren Wolff), Central PA Krunch (Colin Christiansen) and have been around hitting coaches (Mike Scialo) and will be ready to step right in. Everyone in this class can swing it", said Patrick-Swift.  "These players have watched our success over the past few years and are ready to put on this jersey. We're excited to finally see them on campus."
 

	Brittany Crawford Outfield Canonsburg, Pa./Canon McMillan   Crawford, a four-year member of the varsity team at Canon McMillan, plays for Head Coach Michele Moeller.  She earned First Team All-Conference honors as a senior after batting .433, while leading the Big Macs to a 2016 section title.  Crawford is a two-time First Team All-Section selection and was named to the Diamond Dozen as a freshman and a junior.  She helped the Big Macs to also win a section title in 2015, while being named honorable mention Diamond Dozen, hitting .400 on the year.  Crawford batted .383 as a freshman to earn Diamond Dozen honors and help lead the Big Macs to the WPIAL AAAA championship.  She played for the Ohio Outlaws travel team for Head Coach Tom Scanlon, helping them to a 2016 PGF Midwest Championship.   Patrick-Swift on Crawford: "Brit was someone we identified early in the process who is a great fit for our program and will not only hit for average here, but power numbers will be up there. I know she is excited to get here and get started."
	MiKayla Focht Outfield Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area   Mikayla Focht is entering her fourth year as a member of the varsity team at Hollidaysburg High School, where she is coached by Brenda Johnsonbaugh.  Focht, a AAA First Team All-Pennsylvania selection as a junior, has a career batting average of .467, including 78 hits, while 12 doubles, four triples and 12 homers.  She has driven in 43 runs and scored 51 in her Tiger career, while compiling a .802 slugging percentage and a .551 on-base percentage.  As a junior, Focht hit .515 with 34 hits, including six doubles, a triple and four homers, with 13 RBI and 20 runs, to earn First Team All-County, All-Region, Central Penn League and was named a District 6 All-Star.  Focht plays for the Central PA Krunch Gold travel team, coached by Colin Christiansen, where she helped the organization to USSSA and ASA State Titles.  She was also selected to play in the World Cup of Softball in Netherlands.   Patrick-Swift on Focht: "MiKayla has natural power and is expecting to hit a homer every swing she takes. She has worked really hard over the past few years to perfect her swing."
	Jordan Frank Utility DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic   Frank, a four-sport standout at DuBois Central Catholic, plays softball for Head Coach George Heigel.  She was the Pennsylvania Class A Player of the Year as a junior in 2016.  She was also District 9 MVP and is a two-time League MVP.  She owns school career records for hits(140), runs(144), RBI(107), doubles(23), triples(21) and home runs(21) to go with a .625 career average.  She helped the Cardinal to reach the state semifinals in 2016 and has led the program to district championships in 2014 and 2016.  She also participates on the Track, Basketball and Soccer teams.  In track, Frank runs the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races.  She was a First Team All-League selection in basketball as a sophomore in 2015.  She has also been successful in the classroom, where she has been a member of the National Honor Roll.  Frank plays for the DuBois Xtreme travel team for head coach Mark Assalone.   Patrick-Swift on Frank: "Jordy is very athletic and brings a lot to the table with her speed, ability to play multiple positions and natural feel for the game. She has lettered in four varsity sports each year and has excelled in all of them, which shows you the kind of athlete she is."
	Tayven Rosseau Utility Beaver, Pa./Beaver Area   Rosseau is a three-time First Team All-Section honoree at Beaver Area High School for Head Coach Butch Rosseau.  She was the Beaver County Player of the Year runner-up in 2015 and 2016 and was a Beaver County Top 25 selection both years.  Rosseau helped the Bobcats to three section championships as well as a WPIAL Championship in 2014.  She is a member of the school honor roll and also plays volleyball, where she lines up as an outside hitter.  Rosseau plays for the Outlaws PA Elite travel team for Head Coach Hank Pezzuolo.   Patrick-Swift on Rosseau: "Tayven will be one of our most all-around talented athletes in our program. Natural power and skill set. Can't wait to just turn her loose and watch her every day."
	MeKenzie Saban Middle Infielder Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills Senior   Saban enters her fourth year on the North Hills varsity softball team and serves as a team captain for Head Coach Libby Gasior. Saban has been named WPIAL All-Section three times, including one First Team selection.  She is a three-time team Offensive Player of the Year.  Saban batted .721 last year for the Indians, following a .628 average as a sophomore and a .581 mark as a freshman.  She is a member if the High Ronor Roll.  Saban plays for the Ohio Outlaws travel team, coached by Larry Mercurio.   Patrick-Swift on Saban: "Kenzie is a flat-out hitter, who has gap-to-gap power, but don't let that fool you, because she can run it out of the park too. This kid is at a field every chance she can get and just loves the game."
	Ashley Sheetz Catcher Hampton Township, Pa./Hampton   Sheetz is a three-year letterwinner at Hampton High School for Head Coach Ron Fedell.  Sheetz is a two-time All-Section selection for the Talbots.  She plays for the Ohio Outlaws travel team.   Patrick-Swift on Sheetz: "Ashley turns heads when she takes batting practice with her power and just the sound of the ball off her bat. She has a great feel for her swing and works hard on it."
	Brianna Walker Corner Infield Walworth, N.Y./Gananda   Walker plays at Gananda High School for coach Dave MacFall.  She is a five-year varsity starter, being named Wayne County Athletics Association Player of the Year three times.  She is also a two-time All-NYS selection, including being a Second Team honoree in 2016.  She was named to the All-Greater Rochester Team in 2016 and is a four-time All-Conference selection.  In her career, she has a bating average of .611 to go with a .684 on-base percentage and a 1.502 slugging percentage.  In the circle, she is 65-5 with a 1.09 ERA.  Her career batting average is third all-time in the NYSPHSAA, while her 22 triples rank eighth.  She hit .667 in 2016, tied a NYSPHSAA season record with 11 homers and scored 44 runs, good for fourth-most in a season.  She helped the Panthers to three Section V Class C Championships and five Wayne County league titles.  She plays for the Upstate NY Lightning travel team, coached by Mike Scialo.   Patrick-Swift on Walker: "Bri adds more left-handed power in this class and another player that wants to hit the long ball. She wakes up ready to swing the bat each day."