University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Softball Announces Four Signees
November 24, 2014 | Softball
AMHERST, Mass. - Massachusetts softball coach Kristi Stefanoni has announced that four student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent with the program.
Kaycee Carbone, Melissa Garcia, Erin Stacevicz and Kaitlyn Stavinoha will join the tradition-rich Minutewomen program next fall.
All four hit left-handed with three possessing triple threat ability at the plate - hit, slap and bunt - and one is a pure power hitter. Additionally, each signee has been accepted into the university's Commonwealth Honors College.
"I'm very excited to announce this class and welcome them to our UMass softball family," Stefanoni said. "They bring so much to the table as individuals and embody the mission of the University of Massachusetts both athletically and academically.
"The future is bright for the program and these four individuals are going to be a huge part of that."
Carbone is an outfielder from Alvirne, N.H. who is a two-time all-state selection at Alvirne H.S. She was named first team all-state and team MVP in 2014 as a junior. She also plays club ball for the Polar Crush Gold and helped the team to a top-20 finish in the ASA Gold Nationals over the summer.
"Kaycee will bring speed to our lineup as soon as she arrives," Stefanoni said. "Her ability to hit for power and lay down a bunt will make her hard to defend. She has tremendous game awareness as well. Having her and (her older sister) Taylor here at the same time is only going to strengthen them and this team."
Garcia is a first baseman from Chino, Calif. who is a three-time scholar-athlete. She has helped Chino Hills H.S. to three Sierra League titles, while advancing to the California Interscholastic League Division 2 quarterfinals as a sophomore and semifinals as a junior. The lefty-hitter is a two-time captain for her club team, the American Pastime Gold.
"Melissa will bring power to the middle of the lineup and anchor the right side for us for a long time," Stefanoni said. "She is the first left-handed throwing first baseman we've had since Amanda Morin and Brandi Cross, who also played for the American Pastime Gold program."
An outfielder and second baseman from Cedar Grove, N.J., Stacevicz is an all-state, all-county and all-conference selection. She is in her second year attending Cedar Grove (N.J.) H.S. after two years at Immaculate Conception H.S. in Lodi, N.J. She has also been a four-year member of the PA Gold Chaos.
"Erin is built for speed and also has a great game sense," Stefanoni said. "She will be able to read the defense and place the ball where she needs to for the team to succeed."
The lone true slap-hitter in the group, Stavinoha is a second-baseman at The Woodlands (Texas) H.S. The three-year varsity starter was named to the 2014 Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State squad as a junior. She has also picked up all-Montgomery County and all-district accolades in the past two years. She is the first player in program history from Texas to sign with UMass.
"Kaitlin is the definition of a gamer in that she can play defense with the best of them and will run through a brick wall for you," Stefanoni said. "Her speed will be a killer whether she hits away or slaps. We are very proud to add our first recruit from the Lone Star State."