June 23, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's Softball Head Coach Moo Moyer announced the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2005-06 season.

Pitcher Dani Gonzales (Litchfield Park, AZ/St. Mary's) and infielders Erika Rosenwinkel (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park and Forest), Sarah Falk (Coatesville, PA/Bishop Shanahan), Rebeka Shumock (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone), Susan Lebow (Royersford, PA/Spring-Ford) and Kelsey Moir (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) will don the crimson and grey for the Hawks next year

A four-time First Team All-Desert Valley Region pitcher and 2005 Southwest Player of the Year, Gonzales earned All-State honors as both a senior and a sophomore. A 2005 Phoenix All-Extra! Team selection, the six-foot right-handed hurler earned First Team All-Phoenix distinctions as a freshman at St. Mary's High School.

"Dani will lead our group," Moyer said. "She brings many skills to us. Dani's a multi-talented player who has played very good competition and has excelled both offensively and on the mound. Dani has a good eye at the plate and consistently hits with power. When she is not pitching, she will be logging time first base. She will lead by example."

A four-year letterwinner at Oak Park and Forest High School, Rosenwinkel helped her squad to three straight Illinois High School Association State final-four appearances from her freshman to junior seasons. A starter behind the plate and in the outfield, Rosenwinkel was also a four-year letterwinner in swimming.

"Erika will be a core player for us," Moyer said. "She swings a very good bat and has solid receiving skills. Just a total player; a natural, vocal leader, Erika will be a key component to our success."

A staple at shortstop for the past four seasons, Falk led Bishop Shanahan to the Southern Chester County League title three consecutive seasons, setting school records for homeruns (18), RBIs (83) and slugging percentage (.835). This past season, Falk earned team co-MVP honors as she led her squad in doubles (eight), triples (four), home runs (five) and new single-season record in RBI's (30). A two-time Daily Local News First Team All-Area and All-League selections, Falk helped the Chester County Cougars to the Under-18 Pennsylvania National Softball Association State Championship in 2003.

"Sarah can hit the long ball or use the short game," Moyer said. "Defensively, she is very sure handed. She is a very solid player that we anticipate big contributions from."

A two-time All-Division selection at shortstop, Shumock will likely challenge for the starting position as a freshman. Twice named to the All-Area Team, she also lettered in basketball and field hockey. A standout on the field, Shumock has also excelled in the classroom earning membership to the National Honor Society as well as earning the Bausch and Lomb Science Award and the US Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence and Leadership Award.

"Rebeka will challenge for one of our infield spots," said Moyer. "She has solid fundamentals and has good field awareness along with a nice bat."

Moir will join the Hawks and compete for a starting spot. A 2005 All-South Jersey Second Team and All-Group 4 First Team selections, Moir helped Lenape High School earn a share of the league title, going 22-4 Twice named a New Jersey All-State selection in the outfield, Moir batted .347 as a junior, and was named to the First Team All-Group IV for the second straight season and First Team All-Conference for the third consecutive season. Last year, she batted .400 and earned Team MVP honors as a member of the U-18 Jersey Devils.

"Kelsey is a very special player," said Moyer. "She brings a multitude of talents to us. Kelsey is one of the best graduating outfielders; she blends speed and leadership. Offensively, she will put pressure on defenses because of her short game and can also hit with power. Defensively, Kelsey will help anchor our outfield."

A 2005 PAC-10 Second Team selection at first base, Lebow helped Spring-Ford High School to the 2004 PAC-10 title, earning Herald First Team, Mercury All-Area accolades. A starter at both first base and catcher, Lebow batted .387 in 2004 and .301 as a sophomore in 2003.

"Susan will contribute behind the plate and in the infield," Moyer said. "She is high energy and a leader. Susan gives us good versatility is a nice addition to our squad."

The Hawks lost seniors Robin Berry, Alicia Cunic, Cara Deldeo, Megan Richardson to graduation earlier last month. Saint Joseph's, which earned its fifth consecutive appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship this season, returns nine letterwinners from the 2005 squad that finished 21-23 overall and 8-6 in the A-10.