Lakewood, N.J. - The Georgian Court University softball team is set to honor six players who have helped to restore the glory back to this once-again proud program. When these ladies stepped on the Lakewood campus to play ball for the Lions, the team was at a low point in its history. In their first season of 2016, the team managed just seven victories. However, as they take the field for their regular-season finale Saturday at 2:00 p.m., these fine student-athletes will be leaving a program that is ranked #21 nationally, and has already tied the program-record with 41 total wins.
 
Breanna Keelan #5. Keelan has been a versatile player for the Lions throughout her four-year tenure. Her ability to add speed on the base paths, provide a lefty bat to the lineup, and patrol the outfield for GCU has been a huge asset. She has also been an excellent student in the classroom.  As a mathematics education major, she currently owns a GPA of over 3.50, which earned her an induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society. Head Coach Nicole Degenhardt has enjoyed watching Breanna develop as a person "I have enjoyed watching Bre grow over her time here at GCU. She has been a team player and I know that she is destined for great things in her future".
 
Mikaela Power #9. This Atco, NJ native came to GCU as an infielder and had to overcome some adversity as she dealt with various injuries. Her perseverance allowed her to continue on and contribute to the success of the team, including batting an impressive .324 over 46 games in 2018. Mikaela has excelled off the diamond as she has earned an induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society. She will be graduating with a degree in Mathematics.
 
Jessica O'Neil #12. O'Neil has emerged has one of the elite pitchers in the CACC with an astounding 15-1 record and a 1.84 ERA thus far in 2019. O'Neil enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign in 2018, earning a place on the All-CACC Second Team. Her 123 career appearances in the royal and gold rank second all-time in he Georgian Court record book. Also a strong student, the native of Levittown, Pa. will be graduating later this spring with a degree in Medical Imaging.
 
Adriana Scimone #17. Every team needs a player like Adriana Scimone. A truly great teammate who inspires and motivates those around her, Coach Degenhardt commented, "for a team to reach its potential, everyone has to star in their role.  Adriana definitely does that. She is our number one base runner and the soul of our dugout." Scimone is studying Business Administration, maintains a grade point average well above a 3.00, and will be graduating later this spring.
 
Stephanie Torrence #23. Torrence, a catcher from New Kent, Virginia, is a valuable player for this Georgian Court roster. Her leadership and experience is crucial for the culture and morale of the younger players. Coach Degenhardt on Stephanie ... "she has been instrumental in establishing the culture that exists now, both on the field and off." Torrence is also an excellent student. As an exercise science major, she has earned a GPA over 3.50 and has been inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society.
 
Samantha Reilly #25. Reilly has entered the discussion as one of the greatest softball players in Georgian Court University history. 2018 CACC Player of the Year, CCA East Region Player of the Year and National Fastpitch Coaches Association First-Team All American are just some of the accolades this power-hitting catcher has accrued in 2018 when she launched 25 long balls. Samantha broke GCU's career homerun record on March 27th during a win against The University of the Sciences and currently sits at 48 career dingers. This psychology major from Toms River, New Jersey will be graduating from Georgian Court later this spring.