Courtesy of Delaware State Athletic Media Relations
DOVER, Del., Nov. 12, 2020 -- Delaware State head softball coach Jeff Franquet has announced that three high school student-athletes have accepted offers to attend the university next fall and compete for the Hornets beginning with the 2022 season.
The list includes Williamstown (N.J.) High School two-sport star McKenzie Melvin, a two-time All-State and All-Conference standout, in addition to earning New Jersey Top 20 recognition.
Franquet's comments: "McKenzie is one of the best athletes in the country. She could come in here and start in center field and is a talented volleyball player as well. We are so blessed to have an athlete of McKenzie's caliber. You will all want to come see her play for sure. She will hit a HR one at-bat and the next at-bat walk and steal two bases. She is by far one of the best players on the east coast. When our program is attracting incredible athletes like McKenzie I know we are heading in the right direction."
Berlin, N.J., product Makayla Veneziale has also signed to join the DSU softball program. Listed among the top 25 players in New Jersey, Veneziale is a two-time All-South Jersey and All-Conference pitcher at St. Joe's Academy High School.
Franquet's comments: "Makayla is one of the best high school pitchers this side of Mississippi! Anytime we can sign a pitcher of her ability, it immediately puts us in contention to win titles. She has the skill and demeanor on the mound to challenge every pitching record at DSU. She is a legit 67-69 mile per hour thrower with a great rise ball. We project her to have a wonderful career for us. Get your Strike em OUT T-shirt give away ready for every time she strikes a batter out. We will be tossing a lot of t-shirts into the stands next year."She is the type of pitcher we can give her the ball, and have confidence we have a chance to win every game."
Rounding out the list is outfielder Dallas Speicher-Ramirez of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Cumberland Valley High School. Speicher-Ramirez, of Cumberland Valley High School, competed in the USSSA Select Games, was a member of the third place team in the USSSA Nationals, and was Most Valuable Player in the Youth All-America Games.
Franquet's comments: "The first time I saw Dallas play she sprinted onto the field so fast I knew I had to continue to watch this athlete. The team got the 3rd out and Dallas sprinted off the field so fast from center field she beat some of the infielders into the dugout. I thought to myself now that is an athlete that respects the game, and someone I want to be part of our program. The first time I saw her bat, you guessed it, she hit a bomb for a home run. Dallas has been getting better every time she plays. I have no doubt she will come in and compete for a starting spot right away. She is a great athlete. We are looking forward to having her in our program."
The second-year DSU softball coach added, "We are so excited to sign this group of amazing athletes. These young women already have our core principles in place: family, school, then softball. This has been one of most creative and adaptive recruiting processes I have ever experienced. COVID-19 has completely changed the complexion of our sport and I have been literally watching teams play on TV in my living room. This has been bizarre for sure and I hope we never go through a recruiting period like this one.again. I hope the dead period ends soon. I am so proud of our team this year. We have been fortunate enough to practice this fall. I firmly believe this recruiting class will fit right in with our club, and we will be win a lot of games."