MONTGOMERY – Alabama State University softball coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson has made her first big splash regarding recruiting as the Lady Hornets have signed four players from Texas and added a fifth player who is a transfer student from inside the state to fortify their lineup.
They represent the first players to be recruited and signed under the first-year coach, who comes to Alabama State after leading Auburn Montgomery to a NAIA National Championship last spring.
The Lady Hornets have welcomed pitcher/corner infielder Charlene Castro (Natalia HS in Natalia, TX), outfielder Arianna Ricondo (Converse Judson Senior HS in San Antonio, TX), shortstop/second baseman Lexi Grimaldo (Bowie HS in Austin, TX) and catcher/corner infielder Taylor Rosser (Brandeis HS in San Antonio, TX) to join the team for the 2015-16 season.
Alabama State also will welcome transfer student Shelby Holley from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Ala. Holley, a junior, can play either of the corner infield positions as well as catcher. She will be on the roster for the upcoming 2015 spring season.
“A lot of people want to see where the program is going to go and we want people to be excited for the program,” said Steiner-Wilcoxson, who led the Warhawks to a 44-7 record last season. “We’ve been out there trying to establish the program.”
Over the summer at the Amateur Softball Association of America 18-under National Championships in Montgomery, Steiner-Wilcoxson had a chance to meet with some of the players who would become future Lady Hornets. It was a great fit from the start.
“They loved the atmosphere, the facilities and the direction of the program,” Steiner-Wilcoxson said.
“They’re good student-athletes and they’re going to be able to help us accomplish what our goals are. Within the next two seasons, 10 players are going to graduate so this will be important.”
The recruiting class is expected to fill out many needs and give the Lady Hornets lots of versatility.
Castro had a 0.85 ERA and struck out 256 batters in 173.1 innings pitched in her junior season at Natalia High. At the plate, Castro batted .624 (53 for 85) with nine home runs and 44 RBI. She’s a three-time All-District Team selection, and is an All-State Texas Girls Coaches’ Association First Team selection, an All-State TGCA Second Team selection, and an All-State Texas Sports Writer Association Second Team selection in her three seasons of play.
“Charlene is our big signee,” Steiner-Wilcoxson said. “She’s a power pitcher and a great hitter. She can play a corner and I think she’s going to bring a lot of excitement to our team. She throws hard and has good movement on her pitches. She’ll be a cornerstone for our pitching staff.”
Rosser hit .329 (26 for 79) with a .436 on base percentage, scored 23 runs, drove in 10 runs and stole six bases at Brandeis High.
“Taylor is a phenomenal all-around athlete,” Steiner-Wilcoxson said. “She can catch and play third. She’s another power hitter who is a good contact hitter. She’s quick. She’ll be a key component in this freshman class.”
Ricondo hit .344 with a .394 on base percentage with the Texas Blaze Fall Ball team. She had nine stolen bases, 15 singles and four doubles. She was a Second-team All-District selection and an Academic All-District selection in her junior season.
“Arianna is a really good slap hitter,” said Steiner-Wilcoxson. “She’ll add depth to our outfield. She’s got a good arm and has good wheels. You can always use speed. And, she can fill in any of the three outfielder positions and has good range. We’ve got a couple of speedy kids, but she’ll help add to it.”
Grimaldo is a three-time Academic All-District member, a two-time All-District Honorable Mention selection and a member of both the Spanish and National Honor Society. She’s also a two-time captain of the Bowie High softball team.
“Lexi is a middle infielder who can hit in the three hole,” Steiner-Wilcoxson said. “Her power has been getting better. She’s started to hit home runs during the fall. She’s been working really hard and has done a good job. I think she has a good arm and a great glove.”
Steiner-Wilcoxson added that she really liked the commitment shown by all of these players in this recruiting class.
“They all play for very competitive teams,” she said. “They’re playing softball year round. They’re used to the heat and humidity because they’re from Texas. That’s going to help with the stability of playing here and working with the Alabama weather conditions year-around.”
Adding to the team’s roster for this coming season, Holley is a power hitter who led Chattahoochee Valley Community College in multiple offensive categories.
Holley led the Pirates by hitting .471 (73 for 155) with a .610 on base percentage and hit 21 home runs with 47 RBI.
“I’m excited to get her on campus,” said Steiner-Wilcoxson. “She has the high school state record for home runs. She’ll be a good leader for the team.”
