University of Massachusets Athletics
Softball Announces Four Early Signings
November 09, 2006 | Softball
Nov. 9, 2006
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts Softball coach Elaine Sortino has opened the early signing period by receiving National Letters of Intent from Audrey Boutin (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern), Meghan Carta (Middletown, Conn./Mercy), Lindsay Maroney (Bradford, Mass./Phillips Academy) and Stephanie Mayne (North Reading, Mass./North Reading).
"This recruiting class will bring a great work ethic in both the classroom and on the field," said Sortino. "We have been able to enlist some of the top prospects in New England and they will be a wonderful fit into the UMass Softball program."
Boutin has compiled a .528 (114-216) batting average her first three seasons at Bristol Eastern High School. She has led her team in most offensive categories each season while posting 14 doubles, 11 triples, 10 home runs, 74 RBI and 69 runs scored. Her accolades include two-time All-Conference and 2006 All-State member. In addition, she has been a two-time Hartford Courant All-State player, as well as a New Haven Register All-State player. Boutin led her team to the state championship game this past season, as well as a Big League World Series second-place finish. A three-time Scholar-Athlete, Boutin has also been a two-time All-Conference volleyball player.
"Audrey is a very strong left-handed hitter," said Sortino. She will give us a lot of depth as a pitcher and middle infielder."
Carta is primarily a catcher and has played the last two seasons for Mercy High School. She compiled a .476 batting average, .600 on-base percentage and a .997 fielding percentage in 2005, as well as a .329 batting average, .479 on-base percentage and a .996 fielding percentage last season. In addition, Carta has driven in 45 RBI in two seasons at Mercy. Her accolades include two-time Middletown Press All-Area, two-time Southern Connecticut Conference All-Quinnipiac Division team, New Haven Register All-Area selection, and All-State last year. Carta was the first player in school history to hit two home runs in a game and hit a walk-off, three-run home run to win the 2006 Class LL Championship game en route to MVP honors.
"Meghan has great versatility and athleticism," said Sortino. "She has deceptively fast speed."
Maroney has been a four-year starter for Phillips Academy. She has compiled a .537 and .566 batting average, respectively, in her last two seasons, while swiping 20 out of 21 stolen bases. Maroney is a two-time Phillips MVP and two-time Lawrence Eagle-Tribune All-Star. She has also been a honorable mention Lawrence Eagle-Tribune All-Star, as well as a 2006 Boston Globe All-Scholastic award recipient. Maroney has also been a member of the volleyball team for four years and the basketball team for two seasons.
"Lindsay possesses exceptional speed and offensive power," said Sortino. "She is an outstanding outfielder."
In three years at North Reading High School, Mayne has seen her batting average go from .365 as a freshman to .485 as a sophomore and most recently, .512 as a junior. She has compiled 100 hits, 42 of which have been extra-base hits, as well as 11 home runs and 85 RBI. She has been a two-time Lawrence Eagle-Tribune All-Star, three-time Cape Ann League All-Star, two-time unanimous All-Cape Ann League and was the 2006 Cape Ann League Player of the Year. She has led her team to three Cape Ann League championships and was the recipient of the 2004 Unsung Heroine Award and the 2005 MVP award. As a junior in 2006, Mayne was the Boston Globe Division 3 Player of the Year and All-Scholastic team member, as well as a Boston Herald All-Scholastic team pick. Mayne also plays basketball and volleyball and recently led her volleyball squad to a league championship, while being named the Player of the Year.
"Stephanie is a very powerful hitter," said Sortino. "She has a lot of versatility and can play either behind the plate or on a corner for us."