NEWARK, DE -- University of Delaware softball head coach B.J. Ferguson (at right) has announced the signing of three recruits who will attend the University and begin competing for the Blue Hens during the 2008 season.

Incoming freshmen Michelle Grap, Lindsay Novak and Anne Marie Pagano comprise the Class of 2011 and will begin attending Delaware in the fall.

Grap, a third baseman, outfielder and utility player from Ellicott City, MD (Centennial HS), was a first team all-metro and first team all-county selection in 2006 while also being nominated for the Baltimore Sun Player of the Year. A team captain, Grap led her county in doubles and triples and broke Centennial’s home run record.

Grap also earned first team all-county and second team all-metro honors as a sophomore in 2005, when she bated .447 and had a .628 on base percentage while being named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year. She hit .290 last summer with the 18-U Wagner’s when she led the squad in home runs, triples, doubles and walks.

“Michelle is an extremely versatile player who will challenge the outfield and infield alike for a starting role,” Ferguson said. “She is a well-rounded player defensively who possesses a solid glove. Offensively Michelle is a solid contact hitter, but she has the ability to hit the long ball. Her speed and quickness will play a major role in her offensive success.”

Novak, a second baseman and shortstop from Toronto, Ontario, was the 2006 team captain and Most Valuable Player. Novak led Michael Power/St. Joseph High School to a 19-0 record in 2005 and a 21-2 mark in 2006, as the team won the city championship both years. She batted .304 and was the team leader in doubles and runs scored while playing for the Chinguacousy Cougars last summer, and was a member of the 16U Chanadion National Champions in 2004 and 2005.

Novak also earned numerous MVP awards as an ice hockey goalie, and was the leading scorer for the Michael Power/St. Joseph field hockey team in 2005.

“Lindsay comes to UD from across our northern border bringing a great deal of energy and enthusiasm,” Ferguson said. “She is a middle infielder with excellent speed, agility and footwork. Lindsay is extremely intuitive with quick reactions - they must come from her years as an ice hockey goalie! Her ability to hit and slap from the left side of the plate along with her quickness should definitely challenge opponents to keep her off base.”

Pagano, a pitcher and first baseman from Marathon, NY (Whitney Point HS), was an all-conference and fourth team all-state selection in 2006. Pagano hit .319 with 172 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched and a 1.57 earned run average., when she led Whitney Point to an 11-8 record. She was also an all-division and fourth team all-state pick as a sophomore in 2005, when she hit .250 and posted a 2.28 ERA with 163 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched.

Pagano posted a 1.8 ERA last summer while playing for the Conklin Raiders, who went 28-6 and won four tournaments. She also was a two-time all-league selection in field hockey and earned All-East Division and all-conference honors twice in basketball.

“Anne Marie will add much needed depth to our pitching staff in the spring,” Ferguson said. “Through hard work during the off-season, we anticipate Anne Marie securing one of the team’s starting positions. Her stature on the mound will certainly speak for itself, while her core of pitches and movement on the ball will enable her to keep opponents off balance.”