December 15, 2006 - Rider Signs Two

December 15, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Softball
Rider Signs Two Recruits

LAWRENCEVILLE--Britt Eckett (Jackson, N.J.) and Amanda Centeno (Ventura, Calif.) have signed national letters of intent to further their education and athletic careers at Rider University, Rider softball coach Tricia Carroll announced.

“I’m very excited about signing Centeno and Eckett,” said Carroll, the 2003 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year who guided Rider to third place in the MAAC last season.

Eckett, a senior at Jackson Memorial High School, is a first team All-Shore, All-County and All-Central Jersey shortstop with a .485 batting average. She has been her team MVP three consecutive seasons. “I think we got one of the premier infielders from the state in Brittany Eckett,” Carroll said.  “I love how she carries herself as an athlete.  I see her as a confident, competitive, team player who can play third or catch for us.”

Centeno, a senior at Buena High School, is a four-year starter at third base and team MVP as a junior with a .392 batting average. “Amanda is from the West Coast and has played with and against some of the best talent in the country,” Carroll said. “She knows what it takes to win.  She is a high energy player that will have an impact on and off the field.” Centeno is ranked first academically in her class of over 600 students and will compete for a spot at either third or second base.

“I believe both players will have a positive impact on the program immediately,” Carroll said. “Both players are excited about joining the Rider team and I believe they are a good fit for us. I think both players are talented and really could play anywhere in the infield. They both are hard working and clearly love softball.  They are the type of players that you love to have on your team because of their willingness to do whatever is needed for the good of the team.”

Rider begins the 2007 season February 23 in North Carolina. at the Elon Tournament

-RU-