Temple University Athletics
Softball Announces Six For 2008-09 Season
11.29.07 | Softball
Nov. 29, 2007
PHILADELPHIA- The Temple softball head coach Casey Dickson, who is entering her third season in 2008, announced six incoming freshmen for the class of 2012. The newest Owls are Haley Gilles, Jessica Hirschbuhl, Rachel Knable, Alysee Pujol, Sara Reynolds, and Sam Schoel.
"We are very excited about our six incoming freshmen for the 2009 season," Dickson stated. "We are bringing in some very talented athletes who are coming from winning high school and travel programs. We are really looking forward to having them as additions to our team."
 Haley Gilles  |
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Gilles is a three year letter winner in softball and gymnastics and was captain for both teams in her junior season. She was an All-Eastern Connecticut Conference softball player for the 2007 season and garnered the team's MVP award. As a sophomore, Gilles was a member of the Pawcatuck Senior League State Championship team. Academically, Gilles is an officer in her high schools National Honor Society.
"Haley (Gilles) work ethic is like a gymnast," noted Dickson. "She is determined to improve everyday till she gets that perfect score. We know her persistence, skill, and leadership will help our program reach that perfect score."
Hirschbuhl, a four year letter winner in softball, received Suburban One All-League Third Team and Second Team All-Intel in her junior season. As a sophomore she was awarded Suburban One All-League First Team and Second Team All-Intel honors. Hirschbuhl was acknowledged as Suburban One All-League Honorable Mentions as a freshman. She was the 2006-07 captain for the Tuff-N-Tuffer travel
 Jessica Hirschbuhl |
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squad and the co-team captain for the 2007-08 East Coast Elite team.
"Jess (Hirschbuhl) was highly recruited by top Division I universities, but she choose to keep her pride in PA and join us for `the movement' towards Temple being in the Top 25," stated Dickson.
 Rachel Knable |
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Knable, a four year letter winner in softball, has been the starting second baseman for her high school team since her freshman season. As a junior Knable was a team standout receiving First Team All-Conference, All South Jersey Courier Post, First Team All South Jersey, and was awarded team MVP. In her sophomore season she earned Second Team All-Conference.
"She can hit, hit and hit some more," said Dickson of Knable. "This young lady came to our summer clinics and shocked me everyday with her power and hand eye coordination."
 Alysse Pujol |
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Pujol is a four year letter winner in softball. In her junior season, Pujol was awarded First Team All-County and was a member of the National Puerto Rican Olympic Team. As a sophomore she received Second Team All-County and her team was District runner-up and Regional finalists. Pujol started her high school career as a freshman on the varsity softball team and was awarded Honorable Mention All-County in her first season. She was a member of the 2005 District and Regional Championship teams, who ended its season as State semifinalist. Pujol was a member of the State "A" Florida Championship team and Southwest Regional Championship team. Also a success in the class room, Pujol is in advanced placement classes, in which she has complied a 4.3 high school GPA.
"The first time my assistant coach saw her play she hit a homerun," said Dickson about Pujol. "The first time I saw her play she hit a homerun. We thought we were recruiting a big time Puerto Rico National Olympic Team outfielder, but Alysee brings much more than defense."
 Sarah Reynolds |
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Reynolds is a four year letter winner in softball and a three year letter winner in volleyball. For her high school softball team, Reynolds was the starting pitchers for three years. In the 2007 season, Reynolds was named to the All-division team for pitching and was her team's captain. Named to the 2006 All-division hitting team, Reynolds was also an ASA "A" State Champ and a qualifier for Nationals with her travel team. As a freshman she was a 2005 NSA "B" State Champ and qualifier for Nationals. Reynolds has complied five tournament MVP awards in her high school career. She is a member of her high school's Key Club and an Honor Roll Silver Eagle Award recipient.
"Sarah's (Reynolds) determination, intensity and size (6'2) on the mound will bring a wealth of success for our program," said Dickson. "We are expecting great things from her in her first season as an Owl."
 Sam Schoell |
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Schoel, starting catcher in her junior season at North Penn, was selected Second Team All-Suburban League and won the Golden Glove Award in the 2007 season. Schoel was named the 2007-08 captain for her high school team and was also named captain for the 2007-08 Tuff-N-Tuffer Gold team, which she has been a member of for the past two years. Schoel was also a member of her high schools varsity soccer team as a freshman and sophomore. She was a member of the soccer squad that won the Suburban One National League Championship in 2006 and was the recipient of the Most Improved Award in her sophomore season. Academically, Schoel is a member of the National Honor Society and earned the straight A Award as a freshman and junior.
"I believe in size- it doesn't matter!" stated Dickson about Schoel. "Sam is my first left handed slapper recruit EVER. She has the speed, the work ethic, heart, and the foundation to be the role model of our new wave of Temple slappers."
The Temple softball team kicks off its 2008 season on February 15 in the Arizona State University Tournament against Cal Berkley at 1:00 p.m.
