Softball Welcomes 10 Newcomers To 2020 Team

MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine head softball coach Mark Caserta announced the 10 recruited student-athletes who will join the 2020 team as the Lions aim for their sixth-straight Penn State University Athletic Conference championship this season.

Brandywine is coming off a 26-win season that saw the team reach the United States Collegiate Athletic Association World Series for the fifth-straight year. The Lions posted their third consecutive top-five finish at the World Series in DuBois.

"As a head coach, you always look forward to the upcoming season, but this season there is an even greater anticipation. We have won five consecutive conference championships, been to nationals five times and have performed well there recently. This season our goal once again is to capture the national championship. We have the talent and versatility and it's a realistic goal for us. I believe this team is ready for the long haul. We have brought in 10 talented freshmen to go along with nine strong, returning players," said Caserta, who will begin his seventh season in 2020.

Below is a look at Brandywine's 10 newcomers:

Elaina Bono
Exton, Pa. | Downingtown East High School | Outfield

Bono was a four-year varsity starter at Downingtown East High School, helping the Cougars reach districts as a senior. An honor roll student and member of the student council, Bono played travel ball for the PA Xtreme and the PA Strikers.

Coach Caserta's take: "Elaina comes from a successful program at Downingtown East, where she was a four-year starter in the outfield.  Elaina is an excellent outfielder and a solid hitter, who is also a great teammate and will provide us with much-needed versatility in the outfield."

Katelyn Borello
Baldwin, N.Y. | Baldwin High School | Shortstop/Second Base/Outfield

Borello was a two-year captain after earning four varsity letters in softball at Baldwin High School. She led Baldwin to three postseason appearances and two league titles, while earning all-county three times. A Gold Glove Award winner, Borello earned the Coach's Award and was selection to play in the Long Island Senior All-Star Game. While playing travel softball for the Long Island Eclipse Elite, Borello helped the team win 10 regional tournament championships and winter nationals, while earning MVP honors.

Coach Caserta's take: "Katelyn is another speedy addition to the team from New York.  Katelyn will add speed and defensive versatility to our club as a gold glove-winning outfielder."

Destiny Brophy
Bristol, Pa. | Bristol High School | Third Base/Outfield

A third baseman and outfielder at Bristol High School, Brophy earned three varsity letters in softball. She earned three all-league honors, while batting .453 with 92 hits, 82 runs scored and 68 RBI during her high school career. Brophy's had the opportunity to play on ESPN after her Senior League team reached the World Series in 2015.

Coach Caserta's take: "Destiny comes from a very successful program in Bristol High School as she was part of three district titles.  She will provide offensive punch at the plate to go along with her versatility as a third baseman and outfielder."

Lianna De Dios
Elmwood Park, N.J. | Memorial High School | Shortstop/Third Base

A four-year starter at Memorial High School, De Dios was a three-time team MVP. A first team all-league shortstop during her senior season, De Dios was presented with the Interscholastic North Jersey Conference Sportsmanship Award.

Coach Caserta's take: "Lianna will provide us with excellent defense in the infield and also can play the outfield. She is very productive offensively with good speed. I look for Lianna to be a big part of our success."

Farrell Everett
Wynnewood, Pa. | Haverford High School | Catcher/First Base/Third Base

Everett played in four seasons of softball as well as one year of basketball and one season of tennis at nearby Haverford High School. The honor roll student received the Captain's Award and the Coach's Award and was selected as team MVP in 2017.

Coach Caserta's take: "Farrell plays the infield and has the ability to catch. We expect Farrell to supply us with offensive power. She was her high school MVP in 2017 and also team captain."

Alexia Galli
Glenolden, Pa. | Cardinal O'Hara High School | Catcher

Galli started at catcher for four seasons at Cardinal O'Hara High School. She was a two-time All-Catholic League honoree, earning first team accolades as a junior, and claimed All-Delco recognition as a freshman. A team captain and two-time Carpenter Cup selection, Galli played her travel ball for the Delco Rage and Pegasus. Galli, a national honor society member, won a USSSA state championship in 2017 and led her teams to two-straight top-five finishes at the Pony National Championships.

Coach Caserta's take: "Alexia is a very good catcher who played her travel ball with Pegasus and also with the Delco Rage. She will get thrown right in behind the plate. Alexia is an excellent team leader and will be a great asset to our team."

Payton Landis
Coatesville, Pa. | Coatesville High School | First Base/Third Base/Pitcher

Landis earned three varsity letters at Coatesville High School. A member of the 100-hit club, she was a three-time First Team All-Ches-Mont, three-time all-area selection and team captain. Landis competed in the Carpenter Cup in 2017 and 2018, while helping Coatesville reach the district semifinals after winning the Ches-Mont National Conference in 2017. She played travel softball for Pegasus 18U Purple.

Coach Caserta's take: "Payton comes on board with plenty of accolades from Coatesville, where she was a team captain. Payton played her travel ball with Pegasus and brings a huge bat to the plate. Payton plays both corner infield positions and also pitches. We look for Payton to be a big part of our success."

Olivia Pyke
Copiague, N.Y. | Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School | Pitcher

A four-year varsity starter, Pyke received team MVP honors as a junior. She also led her travel team to a winter national championship and was named most valuable player of the tournament.

Coach Caserta's take: "Olivia is from New York and will give us a big boost in the circle. She was a four-year starter in high school and team MVP.  She is a very talented pitcher who will really give us a lot of innings. We're very excited for her and she is a great young lady who will be an excellent teammate."

Kierstin Ricciardi
Grenloch, N.J. | Washington Township High School | Third Base/Shortstop/Pitcher

Ricciardi played three seasons of softball and one year of track & field at Washington Township High School. An honor roll student, she was MVP of her championship-winning travel team.

Coach Caserta's take: "Kierstin will help us as a utility player because she possesses so much versatility. She brings in a great attitude to the game and will be an excellent teammate."

Rebecca Sorrentino
Clifton Heights, Pa. | Upper Darby High School | Pitcher/Outfielder

Sorrentino was a four-year starting pitcher on the Upper Darby High School softball team. She earned four all-conference awards, including two second team nods, while helping Upper Darby to a pair of Central League championships.

Coach Caserta's take: "Rebecca is a seasoned pitcher from Upper Darby High School and pitched for a very successful Delco Diamonds travel club over the years.  Rebecca is a tough-minded kid who had to throw pretty much every game for her high school all four years. She led her high school to two Central League titles in her four years. She is also a threat at the plate, possessing plenty of power with her bat. I look for Rebecca to have a very successful career at Brandywine."