Brandywine Softball Welcomes 12 Newcomers

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine Head Softball Coach Mark Caserta announced on Friday a 12-member recruiting class, comprised of 11 freshmen and one transfer, joining the Lions, who will aim for their fifth-straight Penn State University Athletic Conference championship this spring.

The incoming class consists of Taylor Baron, Ariel Concepcion, Maggie Delaney, Brianna Donaghy, Maddelyn Dudley, Cara Fabiano, Morgan Meoli, Rebecca Proctor, Arden Rabiger, Alyssa Sullivan, Alexandra Szpindor and Fiona Warren.

"With 11 freshmen and one transfer coming in, including five pitchers, our team has a ton of fresh new faces who will compete for playing time immediately at several positions," said Caserta, who owns a 112-72 record during five seasons at Brandywine.

Baron arrives at Brandywine after completing her scholastic softball career at Downingtown East High School.

Concepcion began her career at St. Dominic Academy before finishing at Secaucus High School, totaling four years of varsity softball experience overall. Named team MVP in both 2016 and 2017, Concepcion was also selected to three All-Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League teams and was a three-time all-area honoree. A pitcher, she led all New Jersey sophomores in strikeouts in 2016.

Delaney, a Havertown native, will join the Lions out of Archbishop Carroll High School.

Donaghy possesses four years of varsity softball experience from Philadelphia Academy Charter High School, where she helped her team to a Philadelphi Public League championship in 2015 and four consecutive state playoff bids. A two-time All-Public League honoree, Donaghy was named second team as a junior before making first team following her senior season. Off the field, Donaghy was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Dudley, who graduated from West Chester East High School, was named team MVP as a junior.

Fabiano comes to Brandywine after a successful career at Bristol High School, where she helped her team win four-straight district championships. A three-time All-Bicentennial Athletic League selection, Fabiano was named league MVP and earned BAL Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and 2018. A member of Bristol's 100-hit club, Fabiano was also named Esmark All-American.

Meoli was a First Team All-South Jersey and First Team All-Tri-County Conference selection as a senior at Kingsway Regional High School. After graduating from Kingsway, Meoli played two seasons at Hillsborough Community College (Fla.), earning defensive player of the year and the team's Ray Seymour Award, while also landing on the FCSAA All-Academic Team.

Proctor begins her career at Brandywine after playing two years of varsity softball for Cinnaminson High School in New Jersey. During her travel softball career, Proctor competed for both the Central Jersey Lightning and the Jersey Inferno.

Rabiger, a native of Yardley, arrives at Brandywine with four years of varsity softball experience out of Pennsbury High School. She also played travel softball for the Pennsbury Gems Gold 18U. 

Sullivan makes her way to Media to compete for the Lions after starting for four years on the softball team at Upper Perkiomen High School, where she helped the Indians to back-to-back District 4A championships in 2017 and 2018. A two-time All-Pioneer Athletic Conference first team representative, Sullivan was also selected to two all-state teams, earning second team as a junior before being named first team during her senior season.

Szpindor, a graduate of Pope John Paul II High School, holds four years of high school softball experience. A recipient of the Coach's Award, Szpindor was also a two-year team captain, while earning back-to-back all-Frontier League First Team nods.

Warren is a graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School where she was a two-year member of the varsity softball team. She helped the Vikings win a pair of conference titles and reach the state semifinals in 2015 and 2017, while also claiming a district championship in 2016. Warren received the Viking Award for her leadership and dedication to the team.

Caserta has revamped his pitching staff, adding a number of freshman arms to his lineup following the graduation of all-American Katie DeStefano.

"This year's pitching brings plenty of versatility and options as we go forward. Cara Fabiano leads a talented group of hurlers. She led her high school team to the state semifinals this past season with a 19-3 record. Rebecca Proctor, Taylor Baron, Ariel Concepcion and Alexandra Spinzdor should all supply plenty of help in the circle. Spinzdor is also expected to add offense at the plate as an outfielder," said Caserta.

Caserta will have plenty of options behind the plate after four-year starter Julie Foeldes graduated last spring.

"Morgan Meoli brings plenty of playing experience, talent and leadership. She is a talented first basemen/catcher from Kingsway, a perennial softball powerhouse, by way of Hillsborough Community College. We expect big things from Morgan."

"Arden Rabiger should provide stability and power at the plate, as will Brianna Donaghy. Both catchers also play some infield," added Caserta.

Brandywine will have plenty of options in the field and at the plate after leading the PSUAC in runs, home runs and extra-base hits in 2018.

"Alyssa Sullivan has the ability to play both corner spots in the infield and has a lot of power at the plate. Maddie Dudley should deliver offense as well as being a talented first basemen. Fiona Warren will give us a solid defender in the outfield, along with plenty of speed, and Maggie Delaney will play a utility role and see most of her time in the infield," said Caserta.

"This season we are striving for two things: win our fifth-straight PSUAC championship and win a national championship. I am very excited about this upcoming year for many reasons, the first being our depth. We will have 17 players, which is by far our biggest roster during my time here," concluded Caserta.