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Jan. 18, 2008

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure softball head coach Mike Threehouse has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

Mary Bostwick (Oakfield, N.Y./Oakfield-Alabama), Brooke Frey (New Paltz, N.Y./New Paltz) and Ashley Nowak (Hamlin, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) will all join the Brown and White in the fall of 2008.

"The 2008-09 early signings were extremely important for our program as they will help replace three integral players on our roster following their graduation at the end of this year," said Threehouse. "With the additions of Mary, Brooke and Ashley, I feel we have started the process of filling our needs following the departures of quality starters Kirstin Strong, Patricia McKeon and Brianna Bricker."

Bostwick enters her final season with Oakfield-Alabama High School following three successful varsity seasons on the mound. In her junior season with the Lady Hornets, the 5-2 pitcher helped guide the club to a Section V Class CC state championship, while Bostwick earned Section V Class CC Tournament MVP honors in the process. Following her performance in the circle, the Oakfield, N.Y. native was selected to the 2007 All-State second team after garnering All-State third team accolades at the conclusion of her sophomore season. Bostwick has been named the Lady Hornets MVP in each of her three seasons in an Oakfield-Alabama uniform and has garnered multiple Birds Eye Foods Player of the Week honors throughout her three-year career.

"Mary will bring much needed depth to the pitching staff next season," said Threehouse. "We are hoping her athletic ability and intelligence will allow her to adjust to Division I hitters in a short period of time. Mary learned from the same pitching coach (Joe Catalano) as former Bona ace Christine Keleher and I believe she has a bright future ahead of her with the Bonnies."

A versatile athlete who has shown the ability to play multiple positions on the diamond, Frey turns her focus to catcher in her final season with the Huguenots. The New Paltz, N.Y. native has experimented in the outfield, at first base and shortstop during her first two seasons before settling in behind the plate in her third year. As a junior, she boasted a .437 batting average with 31 hits, 23 RBI, nine extra-base hits and two home runs. During her first three seasons with New Paltz High School, Frey has been a two-time Mid-Hudson Athletic League selection.

"Brooke is very athletic and fits the prototypical St. Bonaventure softball player," said Threehouse. "Her ability to play first base as well as catcher will allow her to crack the starting lineup sooner rather than later. I believe she has the potential to be a fantastic Division I athlete."

A five-year varsity letterwinner at Our Lady of Mercy High School, Nowak enters her senior season after helping guide Mercy to three Section V Championships and a New York State runner-up finish in her first five years with the club. In 2007, Nowak garnered numerous accolades following a season in which she scored a New York State record 55 runs with 53 extra-base hits, seven home runs, eight triples and 20 stolen bases while batting .667 from the plate. For her performance on the diamond last season, Nowak was named the Private-Parochial Softball Player of the Year as well as being selected to the All-Private-Parochial League first team and Birds Eye Player of the Week on two occasions.

"Ashley has put together outstanding numbers in high school and slugged her way into this class following her performance last season," said Threehouse. "Her ability to knock in runs as well as her above average speed will be a huge boost to a lineup that will be losing some key members following this season."

The Brown and White will begin their 2008 campaign in Fort Myers, Fla. at the Florida Gulf Coast University Spring Break Invitational. The Bonnies will take part in 14 games over a seven-day span in the Sunshine State before beginning Atlantic 10 play at Saint Joseph's on March 20.