Posted: May 25, 2016

Lotito announces softball's incoming class

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Head coach Shayne Lotito and the Bryant University softball staff are pleased to announce the Class of 2020.

"The group coming in is an amazing group of young ladies with great work ethic, attention to detail, a love for the preparation, and passion and respect for the game," said Lotito. "Coupled with those characteristics comes great speed, diversity, power and consistency at the plate, as well as pronounced defensive skills and a knowledge of the game".

Tiffany Bell | 5-4 | L/R | OF | Egg Harbor City, N.J. | Absegami High School

Four-year varsity member at Absegami High School … Helped her team win the Cape Atlantic League Championship in 2014 and 2016 at third base and in the outfield … A two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore and junior, Most Improved as a sophomore, two-time team captain as a junior and senior and All-Conference as a senior … A member of the National Honor Society and a Varsity Scholar.

Personal: Daughter of Stephanie and Lester Bell, Tiffany was born on July 27, 1998 … She has two sisters Crystal Pofi and Elizabeth Bell.

"Although a later addition to the roster, Tiffany is going to help our offense with her speed and versatility," said Lotito. "She is another triple threat that we hope will help continue to build this offense to a power house in the Northeast. In addition, this kid has a great work ethic, a lot of heart and is extremely selfless. Her mentality to put the team above herself was the icing on the cake for me and a kid like that is something you need in your program".

Three-year varsity member at Donovan Catholic High School … Helped her team win three-straight New Jersey League B South Championships (2013-15) as the second baseman … A two-time Shore Conference All-Division Selection in the infield (2014-15) … Received Principal's Honors.

Personal: Daughter of Lynn and Samuel Davis, Nicole was born on March 12, 1998 … She has one brother Samuel Daks Davis and one sister Kylie Davis Owens.

"We are looking forward to having Nikki join us this fall," said Lotito. "She brings a lot of talent, hard work and focus to the program. Nikki has the ability to excel in the infield, outfield and in the batter's box. Her speed and ability to cover ground on defense will aid her in her success through the years. In addition, she is a triple threat and can hit, slap and bunt from the left side. We are looking for her to play solid defense, utilize her speed on offense and help set the team up for success".

Gabrielle Ermish | 5-6 | R/R | P | Pottstown, Pa. | Pottsgrove High School

Four-year varsity pitcher who also lettered in field hockey as a freshman and sophomore at Pottsgrove High School … Aided her team in a first round appearance of the AAA District Tournament in 2013 and 2014, before making it to the Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four and second round of AAA Districts in 2015 … Earned All-PAC-10 Honorable Mention and All-Area Honorable Mention as a freshman (2013), All-PAC-10 Second Team, All-Area Second Team and All-State Honorable Mention as a sophomore (2014), All-PAC-10 Second Team, All-Area First Team, All-State Second Team at utility and All-PAC-10 Academic Team as a junior … Distinguished Honor Roll student and apart of the National Honors Society.

Personal: Daughter of Lori and Mark Ermish, Gabrielle was born on June 12, 1998.

"Gabi's great work ethic and desire to get better will continue to help build this program into a winning culture," said Lotito. "She has great movement, a great attitude and is a good teammate. In addition, she will be an offensive powerhouse that we are looking forward to helping us this upcoming season".

Bianca Mastropietro | 5-4 | R/R | C/OF | Bronx, N.Y. | Preston High School

Four-year varsity starting catcher at Preston High School … Helped her team become Archdiocese Semifinalists for three-straight years (2013-15) and Archdiocese Quarterfinalists as a senior (2016) … Earned Second Team All-Bronx as a freshman (2013), First Team All-Bronx as a sophomore and junior (2014-15), All-NYC as a junior and a NY Mayor's Cup Selection as a senior (2016) … A member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Italian Honor Society and a four-year Academic Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Janice and Richard Mastropietro, Bianca was born on July 8, 1998 … She has one sister Laura.

"Bianca brings a huge offensive component to our roster while adding depth to our catching position," said Lotito. "Offensively she is aggressive and attacks the ball, adding more consistency and power to our lineup".

Helaina Michaud | 5-4 | R/R | OF | Phoenixville, Pa. | Phoenixville Area High School

Four-year varsity member who also lettered in soccer for four years at Phoenixville Area High School … Helped her soccer team to the PAC-10 Semifinals and District Runner Ups in 2013 … As the four-year starting goalie, she was named as PAC-10 Honorable Mention, received the Coach's Award, Most Valuable Player and the Senior Excellence Award … Was also named as softball's captain, playing all four years in the varsity's outfield ... Member of the National Honor Society and Treasurer Honor Roll.

Personal: Daughter of Eileen and Ken Michaud, Helaina was born on May 25, 1998 … She has three sisters Carly, Mary and Jaime.

"Lainey is the backyard baseball type of player," said Lotito. "She has a lot of heart, grit, is extremely athletic and will run through a wall if that's what is asked of her. Her never give up and go all out attitude is a great addition to this program. We are extremely excited to have her competing with us this upcoming season".

Marianna Politis | 5-5 | R/R | SS/3B | Arcadia, Calif. | Notre Dame High School

Three-year varsity starter at Notre Dame High School … Aided her team in the Mission League Championship at the shortstop position in 2014 … Earned Second Team All-League honors, Defensive Player of the Year and was named to the Desert Classic All-Tournament team as a freshman and sophomore (2013-14) and the Second Team All-League as a junior (2015) … High honors student and a member of the National Honor's Society.

Personal: Daughter of Bessie and Nicholas Politis, Marianna was born on June 25, 1998 … She has one brother John.

"We are excited to have Mar joining the Bulldog family this upcoming fall," said Lotito. "We are looking forward to her leadership, ability to be a great teammate, great person and a stud on the diamond. Her ability to play multiple infield positions gives her an edge on the opponent and her strong offensive presence will help take our bats to a new level".

Brady Tillotson | 5-8 | R/R | 1B/3B | Pipersville, Pa. | Central Bucks High School East

Four-year varsity third baseman at Central Bucks High School East … Helped her team become District Champions as a freshman (2013), Co-Continental Conference Champions as a senior and the team currently prepares for the District Tournament (2016) … Earned Continental Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman, Continental Conference Second Team and Most Valuable Player as a sophomore and Continental Conference Second Team as a junior all at third base … Yearbook Editor and officer of the club … A member of Athletes Helping Athletes and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Personal: Daughter of Kim and Don Tillotson, Brady was born on December 11, 1997 … She has one brother, Sawyer.

"Brady is an exceptional young lady: polite, respectful, hardworking, and is willing to give everything she can for the team," said Lotito. "She is going to add to our depth on the corners, as well as in the lineup. I am excited to see Brady reach new heights and have a break out career".

Nicole Zukowski | 5-7 | L/L | 1B/OF | Medford, N.Y. | Patchogue-Medford High School

Four-year varsity member at Patchogue-Medford High School … Led her team to three-straight League 1 playoff appearances, including a semi-final showing as a junior (2015) … A four-time New York State Public School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award winner, All-League 1 honoree as a sophomore (2014), All-Division recipient as a junior (2015), All-County honoree, League 1 Player of the Year and Lager School Player of the Year as a senior (2016) … A National Honor Society and National Business Honor Society member.

Personal: Daughter of Denise and Henry Zukowski, Nicole was born on September 6, 1998 … She has two sisters Ashley and Deanna.

"Nicole is coming in as a future first baseman for us," said Lotito. "She is tough, strong, athletic and an extremely talented softball player. Also a lefty, she will bring power to our left handed group. Her swing is one of the most powerful I have seen in a while and her hands are extremely fast. I think she can add to the offense immediately and will be a weapon at the plate we look forward to using".