Dec. 13, 2010

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Romeoville, Ill. - Lewis University head softball coach George DiMatteo announced on Monday (December 13) that his squad will feature seven new faces in 2012, as Kelly Bowler (Lockport, Ill./Lockport), Ali Brems (Kenosha, Wis./Bradford), Justina Doll (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein), Carissa Ramirez (Crestwood, Ill./Bremen), Frankie Rys (Homer Glen, Ill./Marist), Cayla Schlevensky (Kenosha, Wis./Bradford) and Kelsey Ullrich (Winfield, Ill./Wheaton North) signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Flyers.

"This is one of my most diverse recruiting classes that will bring many different attributes to the table," DiMatteo said. "Each of these seven players has played at top programs, both in high school and on their travel teams.

"I think we've achieved our goal of reinforcing our team with talent and depth at every position."

Bowler, a 5-foot-11, right-handed pitcher, claimed All-Area Honorable Mention accolades for Lockport in 2010, as she went 16-5 with a 2.10 earned-run average, helping the Porters to the Regional Championship.

"Kelly is the number one pitcher at Lockport, on a staff that many consider to be the best in the state," DiMatteo said. "She has an overpowering fastball and an outstanding change-up."

Brems, a 5-foot-8, right-handed pitcher, is a three-year varsity letterwinner for Bradford. She is a two-time Southeast Conference Pitcher of the Year, All-Conference and All-District selection. As a sophomore, Brems claimed Third Team All-State accolades after going 10-0 in the circle with 130 strikeouts and a 0.31 earned run average in 67 innings pitched to help Bradford to the WIAA state tournament. Last season, she was named to the All-State Second Team following a 14-2 campaign with 127 strikeouts and a 0.70 ERA in 100.1 innings pitched.

"If not the best, Ali is certainly one of the best pitchers out of Wisconsin," DiMatteo said. "She's a strikeout pitcher with an assortment of pitches, including a devastating rise ball.

"Ali is also a very good hitter with line drive and gap potential batting from the left side of the plate."

Doll, a 5-foot-10, outfielder, is a two-time North Suburban All-Conference selection for Mundelein. As a sophomore, Doll batted .402 on her way to Honorable Mention accolades. Last year, she had a .387 batting average and added seven home runs. For her efforts, she was named to the All-Conference team and Pioneer Press Gold All-Area Fourth Team.

"Justina has a great glove and incredible quickness in running down fly balls," DiMatteo said. "She is contact hitter and is a base stealing threat at all times."

Ramirez, a 5-foot-5 infielder, is a three-time All-Conference selection at shortstop for the Bremen Braves. Last season, Ramirez was named the team's MVP after batting .435 with 30 RBI and 17 stolen bases. As a sophomore, she batted .473 with 22 stolen bases.

"'Cargo' as she is affectionately known, is a versatile infielder who will play primarily at shortstop," DiMatteo said. "She has outstanding quickness and is a base stealing threat."

Rys, a 5-foot-2 infielder, batted .405 with a home run and 29 RBI, as Marist won the East Suburban Catholic Conference and Regional Championships in 2010. She was named to the ESCC All-Conference Team and was a Chicago Sun Times Honorable Mention All-Area selection. An honor roll student, Rys was also the recipient of the Marist Golden Glove Award.

"Frankie is a terrific fielder with soft hands and a quick release," DiMatteo said. "She's an excellent contact hitter and a weapon on the base paths as well."

Schlevensky, a 5-foot-7 infielder, is a three-year varsity letterwinner for Bradford High School. As a junior, Schlevensky batted .405 with 28 RBI as Bradford captured the Southeastern Conference championships. For her efforts, Schlevensky was named to the All-SEC Second Team.

"Cayla can play several positions very well, has an outstanding arm and tremendous power at the plate," DiMatteo said. "She's capable of driving in many runs for us."

Ullrich, a 5-foot-9, first baseman, has twice demolished Wheaton North's single-season home run record with seven home runs as a sophomore and nine last year as a junior. In 2010, Ullrich batted .390 with 32 RBI and a .729 slugging percentage on her way to All-State and All-Area honorable mention accolades and First Team All-Conference honors.

"Kelsey has that rare ability to hit for average and for power," DiMatteo said. "She's also a solid defensive first baseman."

Lewis opens the 2011 campaign on February 11th, as the Flyers square off with Western New Mexico in the first game of the Desert Slinger Tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. (CST).

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to approximately 6,000 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

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