Temple University Athletics
Softball Signs Four to Class of 2016
10.2.12 | Softball
Class features players from PA, NJ, CA and Australia
PHILADELPHIA – Temple head softball coach Joe DiPietro has announced the signing of four players to the class of 2016. Joining Kelsey Dominik, whose national letter of intent was signed last December, are Leah Lucas, Annie Marcopolus and Jessica Tolmie. All four will begin their careers with the Owls in the 2012-13 season.
Dominik comes to TU from Woolwich Township, N.J., where she was a three-sport athlete at Kingsway High School. She capped her high school softball career with Player of the Year honors from five different organizations, including the Gatorade Player of the Year for New Jersey. The utility player also received the distinction from Gloucester County Times for the second time, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier Post and the South Jersey Coaches Association. The team captain was a three-time member of the All-South Jersey First-Team at third base.
“Being able to sign a multi talented player like Kelsey was very important,” said DiPietro. “She is more of an established hitter and corner player, but she also gives us another pitcher that has shown poise and a will to win on the mound. I'm expecting really big things from Kelsey.”
Lucas hails from Thousand Oaks High School in California. The Newbury Park native was a four-time All-Marmonte League selection during her scholastic career. In addition, the second baseman was tabbed the Santa Maria Tournament MVP as a freshman, and to the same event's all-tournament team in her junior season. A four-year letterwinner in softball, Lucas was also a SoCal Premier soccer player.
“Leah is another player who is multi talented and can play second base, third base or the outfield,” commented DiPietro. “Primarily, we will use her as a second baseman because that is what our main need is. She also can hit for power and average.”
Marcopolus comes to Temple from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. A four-time all-conference player, the Newtown, Pa., native will be used to bolster the Owls outfield. As a senior, Marcopolus led her high school squad to a Colonial Valley championship and was named the team's most valuable player.
“Annie is a player who is going to be counted on to push for playing time right away,” said DiPietro. “Although she's not very big, she can really run and play a very good centerfield. With Ali Robinson being a senior we'll need someone next year in the outfield and hope that person will be Annie.”
The final signee for the 2013 Owls is Glendale, Australia native Tolmie. A 2011 graduate of Warners Bay in Warners Bay, Australia, she becomes the first foreign player signed with DiPietro at the helm, and is the first Temple player to hail from a country other than the United States since the 2005 roster had two players from Ontario, Canada. Tolmie's 2012 New South Wales U19 state team won the national championship with an undefeated record. A pitcher and first baseman, Tolmie should immediately fight for time in the TU rotation on the mound.
“Jess is kind of a wild card for us as she is coming from Australia and is an unknown to everyone,” remarked DiPietro. “She has tremendous movement on her pitches, especially her curve ball. Although she may not throw in the mid 60's, I really think she's going to cause problems for opposing teams.”
“I am really excited about this class. I think we have answered all of our needs with this class,” commented DiPietro. “Each player brings something different to the team. I'm excited to see how they adapt to the college game, but I'm confident that they'll all do well here.”
Temple finishes up its fall season this weekend at the Rocci Pignoli Memorial City 6 Championship, facing Villanova, La Salle and Saint Joseph's. The 2013 Owls get the season underway on February 22 at the Elon Invitational, squaring off against Hampton in a 6:45 p.m. game.
For more information on Temple softball, visit www.facebook.com/Temple-University-Softball and www.twitter.com/TUSB_owls.
Dominik comes to TU from Woolwich Township, N.J., where she was a three-sport athlete at Kingsway High School. She capped her high school softball career with Player of the Year honors from five different organizations, including the Gatorade Player of the Year for New Jersey. The utility player also received the distinction from Gloucester County Times for the second time, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier Post and the South Jersey Coaches Association. The team captain was a three-time member of the All-South Jersey First-Team at third base.
“Being able to sign a multi talented player like Kelsey was very important,” said DiPietro. “She is more of an established hitter and corner player, but she also gives us another pitcher that has shown poise and a will to win on the mound. I'm expecting really big things from Kelsey.”
Lucas hails from Thousand Oaks High School in California. The Newbury Park native was a four-time All-Marmonte League selection during her scholastic career. In addition, the second baseman was tabbed the Santa Maria Tournament MVP as a freshman, and to the same event's all-tournament team in her junior season. A four-year letterwinner in softball, Lucas was also a SoCal Premier soccer player.
“Leah is another player who is multi talented and can play second base, third base or the outfield,” commented DiPietro. “Primarily, we will use her as a second baseman because that is what our main need is. She also can hit for power and average.”
Marcopolus comes to Temple from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. A four-time all-conference player, the Newtown, Pa., native will be used to bolster the Owls outfield. As a senior, Marcopolus led her high school squad to a Colonial Valley championship and was named the team's most valuable player.
“Annie is a player who is going to be counted on to push for playing time right away,” said DiPietro. “Although she's not very big, she can really run and play a very good centerfield. With Ali Robinson being a senior we'll need someone next year in the outfield and hope that person will be Annie.”
The final signee for the 2013 Owls is Glendale, Australia native Tolmie. A 2011 graduate of Warners Bay in Warners Bay, Australia, she becomes the first foreign player signed with DiPietro at the helm, and is the first Temple player to hail from a country other than the United States since the 2005 roster had two players from Ontario, Canada. Tolmie's 2012 New South Wales U19 state team won the national championship with an undefeated record. A pitcher and first baseman, Tolmie should immediately fight for time in the TU rotation on the mound.
“Jess is kind of a wild card for us as she is coming from Australia and is an unknown to everyone,” remarked DiPietro. “She has tremendous movement on her pitches, especially her curve ball. Although she may not throw in the mid 60's, I really think she's going to cause problems for opposing teams.”
“I am really excited about this class. I think we have answered all of our needs with this class,” commented DiPietro. “Each player brings something different to the team. I'm excited to see how they adapt to the college game, but I'm confident that they'll all do well here.”
Temple finishes up its fall season this weekend at the Rocci Pignoli Memorial City 6 Championship, facing Villanova, La Salle and Saint Joseph's. The 2013 Owls get the season underway on February 22 at the Elon Invitational, squaring off against Hampton in a 6:45 p.m. game.
For more information on Temple softball, visit www.facebook.com/Temple-University-Softball and www.twitter.com/TUSB_owls.
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