POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist Head Coach Joe Ausanio is pleased to announce on Tuesday the incoming freshmen class for the softball program, who will begin participating collegiately during the fall of 2012. The class of four current high school seniors is made up of three student-athletes from California: Nicole Cheek, Maureen Duddy and Colleen McWilliams and one from New Jersey, Kyrsten Van Natta.

"We are very excited with the student athletes that we bringing to Marist this fall" Ausanio said of the group. "They complement our team very well and I expect all of them to be impact players for the Red Foxes."

Nicole Cheek - 5'7 - Bats: Left / Throws: Right - OF/2B - Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley/San Gabriel Valley Velocity: A high school outfielder/2nd baseman who plays for Simi Valley High School, Cheek will join the Red Fox program in the fall. Simi Valley is the two-time defending champions of the competitive Division 1 Marmonte League. Cheek was a 1st Team All Marmonte League selection her junior year. She batted .329 and her on-base percentage was .424. She led the league and Ventura County in triples. The Pioneers had a record of 23-3 last season. Outside of school, Cheek has played club ball with the OC Batbusters Gold travel team, who came in 3rd place at the 2011 Premier Girls Fastpitch National Tournament and 2nd place at the 2011 Louisville Slugger Tournament. She currently plays for SGV Velocity. Nicole is a member of the National Honor Society.

Ausanio on Cheek: "Nicole is a very athletic utility player. She excels in both the outfield and infield. She brings big time power to our program and I expect her to contribute right away."

Maureen Duddy - 5'6 - Bats: Left / Throws: Right  - OF/3B - San Mateo, Calif./Aragon/San Jose Sting: A four-year varsity starter at Aragon High School in San Mateo, Calif., 5'6" outfielder/third baseman Maureen Duddy has been named first-team All-Peninsula Athletic League and an All-Central Coast Section first-team selection. As a sophomore, Duddy was named Player of the Year in the All-Peninsula Athletic League, leading the league in batting average, runs scored and stolen bases, and was also named All-County Sophomore of the Year. Following her junior season, she was named All-County Outfielder of the year as well as MVP of the Aragon varsity softball team. Duddy played travel ball with the San Jose Sting 18G. Scholastically, she is a member of the California Scholarship Federation.

Ausanio on Duddy: "Maureen is a prototypical leadoff hitter. She can bunt, slap, power slap and hit for power. She will be an offensive weapon for us."

Colleen McWilliams - 5'6 - Bats: Left / Throws: Left - OF/1B - Monrovia, Calif./La Salle/San Gabriel Valley Velocity: McWilliams joins the Red Foxes following a stellar career as a La Salle High School Lancer All-League player. She led the Lancers to the CIF-SS Division IV runners up in 2008 and the championship in 2009. McWilliams has been selected First Team All-League twice, First Team by the CIF Southern Section coaches selection committee, and recognized by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She has been an active member of Student Life Leadership, Mock Trail and Habitat for Humanity at La Salle.

Ausanio on McWilliams: "Colleen is a rock solid outfielder and first baseman. She can hit for power and average. I expect her to contribute immediately."

Kyrsten Van Natta - 5'6 - Bats: Right / Throws: Right - INF - Maplewood, N.J./Columbia/North Jersey Rangers: Van Natta comes to Poughkeepsie after an award-winning interscholastic and club career in Northern New Jersey. Playing at Columbia High School, she has been named All-Area each of her first three years. Following a Second Team All-Conference nod as a freshman, Van Natta improved to First Team All-Conference honors in her next two seasons, including a spot on the All-County First Team and Group IV Second Team as a junior. She has been a member of the North Jersey Rangers since the summer of 2009 and in 2011, the squad finished runner-up at the ASA 18U Gold Eastern Nationals.

Ausanio on Van Natta: "Kyrsten is an Ozzie Smith-like shortstop. She also is an offensive weapon with her speed and power."