Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University Head Softball Coach Adrienne Clark has announced the signing of seven recruits to National Letters of Intent during the November signing period. The seven - Nicole Cancel, Tyler Douglas, Mackenzie Fitzgerald, Dahlia Palacio, Gabriella Sultan, Chelsea Villar, and Lily Yepez - will begin their academic and athletic careers at Hofstra in the fall of 2023.
"This class is stacked with talent," Coach Clark stated. "They bring offensive power, elite speed, and a tremendous amount of versatility. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Pride."
Cancel (Wingdale, NY), a third baseman, plays scholastically at Dover High School in Dover Plains, New York. She earned All-New York State accolades this past season after batting .589 with two home runs and 11 stolen bases. A member of the varsity team since seventh grade, Cancel also earned team Most Valuable Player honors and was named a Player to Watch by Varsity 845. She played travel softball with Honeychucks Galati 18U. Cancel plans to major in biology and pursue a career in biotechnology.
Douglas (Burlington, NJ), a third baseman, attends Burlington Township High School and is a four-year member of the softball team. In each of her two playing seasons, Douglas has led her team in batting, been a first team all-conference selection, and the recipient of the Carpenters Cup. She batted .400 as a sophomore and .409 as a junior when she helped the Falcons win the South Jersey Group 3 Sectional championship. Douglas plays travel softball with the New Jersey Pride. She plans to major in political science and pursue a career in politics.
Fitzgerald (Williston Park, NY), a shortstop, has been a member of the varsity softball team at Mineola (NY) High School since the eighth grade. She earned all-conference honors as an eighth grader and was an all-conference and All-Nassau County selection as a junior. Fitzgerald plays travel ball for Team Long Island. While she is undecided in her area of study, she has aspirations of becoming a travel nurse.
Palacio (Covina, CA), a first baseman and outfielder, attends Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California, where she is a four-year member of the softball team. A two-time first team all-league selection, Palacio also earned first team all-area and SGV All-Star honors as a junior. This past season, she batted .462 with seven doubles, two triples, and four home runs. As a sophomore, Palacio batted .436 in helping the Lancers capture the Del Rey League championship. Palacio plays travel softball for CA Bombers AK Gold. She plans to major in kinesiology and become a physician.
Sultan (Ashburn, VA), a catcher and corner infielder, attends Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia, where she is a four-year member of the softball team. As a junior, she batted .594 en route to Player of the Year, first team all-district, first team all-region, and first team All-Loudon County accolades. Sultan was named Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2021. She played her travel softball with Fury Platinum National. Sultan plans to major in exercise physiology at Hofstra.
Villar (Fairfield, CT) has played softball and volleyball at Fairfield Ludlowe High School for two seasons. This past season, she was named Connecticut High School Coaches Association First Team All-Connecticut as well as First Team All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Villar earned Gametime CT all-state second team and Honorable Mention All-FCIAC honors as a sophomore. She batted .512 as a sophomore and .430 as a junior, and helped her team to the first two FCIAC championships in school history as well as a Class LL State runner-up finish in 2021. Villar, who plans to major in finance, plays travel softball for Connecticut Impact.
Yepez (North Bellmore, NY), an outfielder, has competed for Wellington C. Mepham High School since the eighth grade and was a Second Team All-New York State selection as a junior. A two-time All-Long Island and All-Nassau County performer, Yepez batted .557 with a .617 on-base percentage and 42 runs scored in 2022. She also earned Most Valuable Player accolades and was named one of Newsday's Top 100 Players on Long Island. Yepez has helped her Pirates to three Nassau County championships, two Long Island championships, and to the 2022 New York State semifinals. She also played volleyball and basketball at Mepham, while serving as Class President among her many extracurricular activities. Yepez plays travel softball for Team Long Island Elite. She plans to major in exercise science at Hofstra.
