Sean Ellenby. Media Relations Assistant – University of Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head coach Laura Watten has announced the addition of four players to the Maryland softball program for the 2015 season. The class includes MIF/3B/OF Skylynne Ellazar (Kahului, Hawaii), OF/2B Destiney Henderson (Fontana, C alif.), LHP Meghan King (Parkland, Fla.) and 1B/OF Jacqui Pascual (Huntington Beach, Calif.).
Hailing from across the country, all four players have extensive experience at the club level and bring a wide range of abilities. Watten believes the group has the talent to make an immediate impact in College Park.
“This is a very exciting recruiting class for us,” Watten said. “All four of our recruited commitments have the ability to be immediate impact players for us in 2015 as we transition into the Big Ten.”
Skylynne Ellazar – 5’6” – MIF/3B/OF – Kahului, Hawaii – California Cruisers
Before Maryland: An all-around impact player with versatility to play third base, shortstop and second base…plays softball in Hawaii during school year and travels to California in the summers to play for the California Cruisers…Vangie Galindo, Shannon Bustillos and Hannah Dewey headline a long list of Division I athletes that have played for the Cruisers…is interested in veterinary science…will be first member of family to attend a 4-year university.
Watten on Ellazar: “Sky plays the game with passion and heart and she possesses a rare work ethic on the field. She is an all-around aggressive player with quick feet and soft hands, quick transition and a strong arm to play any position in the infield or outfield. In the box, Sky hits left handed for power, with the speed and game sense to pick a defense apart and execute in any situation”.
Destiney Henderson – 5’6”– OF/2B – Fontana, CA – Corona Angels
Before Maryland: Competes for the Corona Angels – Tyson, one of the top travel ball organizations in the country…has spent her entire softball career competing with, and against, some of the most elite players in the game…interested in studying law and is looking to major in communications or criminal justice.
Watten on Henderson: “Destiney will have an immediate impact on our program. She has a strong arm in the outfield and speed to cover ground and track down balls off the fence. In the infield she has quick and smooth footwork and glove transition on plays. Destiney is a slapper with great bat control and game sense. Destiney’s foot speed allows her to bunt and get on base if needed while also being capable of hitting for power. She has all the tools to be an All-American.”
Meghan King – 5’10”- LHP – Parkland, FL – Florida Gold Coast Hurricanes
Before Maryland: Competes for the Florida Gold Coast Hurricanes organization…pitched successfully against players committed to major conference programs, including the Big Ten, SEC and Pac-12…an honors student with a 4.05 GPA…an active participant in her community and member of Future Leaders of America…plans to major in psychology or biology with the intent of going into nursing.
Watten on King: “Meghan is a left-handed pitcher who will have an immediate impact on our program. Her key pitches are mostly “down” pitches with a great mix of speed and movement. She will be the perfect complement to our current pitching staff and will be a great asset and component to our success against the powerful offense in the B10.”
Jacqui Pascual – 5’10” – 1B/OF – Huntington Beach, CA – California A’s
Before Maryland: Competes for the California A’s, after spending four years with the Firecrackers organization…active as a student athletic trainer at her high school…interested in becoming an athletic trainer and will major in kinesiology.
Watten on Pascual: “We are very excited to have Jacqui come on as a Terp. She has grown and developed over the past two years and she will be an impact player for us. Jacqui has great footwork and size and has very strong softball game sense. She is skilled at first base while also being very athletic with the versatility to play outfield as well. On offense, she is a power hitting lefty, but her speed allows her the versatility to slap and bunt in any given situation.”
