Softball Signs Five to Class of 2026
12/7/2021 3:11:00 PM | Softball
Henke, Kowalski, Freed, Heath, and Sydney Hess join the team for the 2022-23 season
FAIRFIELD, Conn.- The Sacred Heart University softball team signed five newcomers to National Letters of Intent for the class of 2026, as announced by Head Coach Pam London. The Pioneers welcome Nicole Henke, Samantha Kowalski, Kaelyn Freed, Emily Heath, and Sydney Hess for the 2022-23 season.
"SHU softball is so proud and excited to welcome our five NLI signees to the class of 2026," stated head coach Pam London. "These five young women will play a huge role in the future success of our program. Each one of them exemplifies the type of well-rounded student-athlete and person, that our staff strives to recruit here at Sacred Heart."
Nicole Henke
Henke is a right-handed infielder from Carlstadt, N.J. She was a four-year starter for Becton Regional High School as she batted .500 with seven homers in 2020-21 while being a two-time First-Team All-League selection. Off the field, she earned High Academic Honors and was named to the school's honor roll twice.
"Nicole is a slick fielding infielder that is very capable of playing shortstop at the D1 level" said London. "She has excellent range and a very strong arm. She is also an outstanding hitter with power. We are looking forward to watching Nicole make her presence known as a first-year. We have no doubt that Nicole will be an impact player for us next year, we couldn't be happier to have her on our squad!"
Samantha Kowalski
Kowalski is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman from San Clemente, Calif. On the field, she had a stellar fall 2021 travel ball season for the 18U Gold Rogers as she tallied a batting average of .469. While in the circle, she recorded 77 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. At San Clemente High School, she posted a batting average of .426 while being named MVP in 2020-21 and nominated for the school's Athlete of the Year in 2021-22. In the classroom, she was a 4.0 GPA student and while also being named to the Superintendent's Honor Roll since 2018.
"Sam is an outstanding student-athlete and her softball potential is immense" stated London. "We will look for Sam to pitch, hit, and play some first base for us next year. I'm sure she will have an immediate impact on this team. She is the type of player that brings so much to the table and we are thrilled to have her as a Pioneer!"
Kaelyn Freed
Freed joins the Pioneers from Sun Valley, Calif. She's a right-handed utility player that covers all aspects of the game. At Bishop Alemany High School, she was named the school's Most Inspirational Player and was a member of Team Philippines in the 2021 International Cup. In her junior year, she tallied an impressive .443 batting average with 27 hits, and an on-base percentage of .493. In the classroom, she is a four-year honor roll recipient and is a member of the National Honors Society.
"Kaelyn is the consummate utility player," stated London. "She can play both infield and outfield with equal prowess. She is a solid gap-to-gap hitter and an excellent baserunner. I am sure that it won't be long before Kaelyn finds a home somewhere on the field here at SHU. Kaelyn is a talented and versatile athlete, and we anticipate that she will be a big part of our future!"
Emily Heath
Heath joins the Pioneers from Coventry, R.I. where she attended St. Mary Academy-Bay View. On the field, she tallied a 1.16 earned run average during the summer 2021 season. That same year, she was named to the First-Team All-Division and Third-Team All-State. Off the field, she is a member of the National Honors Society and in the Math, Science, English and Spanish Honors Societies.
"Emily is a standout student and a talented, hardworking pitcher" stated London. "She has put together a very impressive high school and travel ball career on the mound. We think Emily will be a solid addition to our pitching staff moving forward. She has tremendous upside as a pitcher, and we are excited to see her reach her full potential throughout her career here at SHU!"
Sydney Hess
Hess joins the Pioneers from Nutley, N.J. The right-handed catcher was named to the Third-Team All-NJSIAA and Second-Team Super Essex Conference at Nutley High School. In the classroom, she earned High Honor Roll while being named to the Spanish Honor Society and National Honors Society.
"Sydney is another fantastic student athlete" stated London. "She is very solid defensively behind the dish. We will be developing her as a corner infielder as well to fully utilize her athleticism. We believe Sydney has the tools and the desire to grow and develop here at Sacred Heart. We are very excited she is going to join us as a Pioneer!"
"SHU softball is so proud and excited to welcome our five NLI signees to the class of 2026," stated head coach Pam London. "These five young women will play a huge role in the future success of our program. Each one of them exemplifies the type of well-rounded student-athlete and person, that our staff strives to recruit here at Sacred Heart."
Nicole Henke
Henke is a right-handed infielder from Carlstadt, N.J. She was a four-year starter for Becton Regional High School as she batted .500 with seven homers in 2020-21 while being a two-time First-Team All-League selection. Off the field, she earned High Academic Honors and was named to the school's honor roll twice.
"Nicole is a slick fielding infielder that is very capable of playing shortstop at the D1 level" said London. "She has excellent range and a very strong arm. She is also an outstanding hitter with power. We are looking forward to watching Nicole make her presence known as a first-year. We have no doubt that Nicole will be an impact player for us next year, we couldn't be happier to have her on our squad!"
Samantha Kowalski
Kowalski is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman from San Clemente, Calif. On the field, she had a stellar fall 2021 travel ball season for the 18U Gold Rogers as she tallied a batting average of .469. While in the circle, she recorded 77 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched. At San Clemente High School, she posted a batting average of .426 while being named MVP in 2020-21 and nominated for the school's Athlete of the Year in 2021-22. In the classroom, she was a 4.0 GPA student and while also being named to the Superintendent's Honor Roll since 2018.
"Sam is an outstanding student-athlete and her softball potential is immense" stated London. "We will look for Sam to pitch, hit, and play some first base for us next year. I'm sure she will have an immediate impact on this team. She is the type of player that brings so much to the table and we are thrilled to have her as a Pioneer!"
Kaelyn Freed
Freed joins the Pioneers from Sun Valley, Calif. She's a right-handed utility player that covers all aspects of the game. At Bishop Alemany High School, she was named the school's Most Inspirational Player and was a member of Team Philippines in the 2021 International Cup. In her junior year, she tallied an impressive .443 batting average with 27 hits, and an on-base percentage of .493. In the classroom, she is a four-year honor roll recipient and is a member of the National Honors Society.
"Kaelyn is the consummate utility player," stated London. "She can play both infield and outfield with equal prowess. She is a solid gap-to-gap hitter and an excellent baserunner. I am sure that it won't be long before Kaelyn finds a home somewhere on the field here at SHU. Kaelyn is a talented and versatile athlete, and we anticipate that she will be a big part of our future!"
Emily Heath
Heath joins the Pioneers from Coventry, R.I. where she attended St. Mary Academy-Bay View. On the field, she tallied a 1.16 earned run average during the summer 2021 season. That same year, she was named to the First-Team All-Division and Third-Team All-State. Off the field, she is a member of the National Honors Society and in the Math, Science, English and Spanish Honors Societies.
"Emily is a standout student and a talented, hardworking pitcher" stated London. "She has put together a very impressive high school and travel ball career on the mound. We think Emily will be a solid addition to our pitching staff moving forward. She has tremendous upside as a pitcher, and we are excited to see her reach her full potential throughout her career here at SHU!"
Sydney Hess
Hess joins the Pioneers from Nutley, N.J. The right-handed catcher was named to the Third-Team All-NJSIAA and Second-Team Super Essex Conference at Nutley High School. In the classroom, she earned High Honor Roll while being named to the Spanish Honor Society and National Honors Society.
"Sydney is another fantastic student athlete" stated London. "She is very solid defensively behind the dish. We will be developing her as a corner infielder as well to fully utilize her athleticism. We believe Sydney has the tools and the desire to grow and develop here at Sacred Heart. We are very excited she is going to join us as a Pioneer!"
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