Nipmuc Softball Stars Kristen Niland and Jaclyn Cortese Sign Letters of Intent

Nipmuc softball stars Kristen Niland and Jaclyn Cortese will continue to play softball at the collegiate level.

On Monday, during a ceremony at Nipmuc Regional High School,  lefty first basement Kristen Niland signed a letter of intent with the University of Maine. Kristen will attend the University of Maine for the 2014-2015 academic year. In addition to being an outstanding first baseman and home run leader at Nipmuc, Kristen also played ball for the R.I. Thunder Gold Club Team. The R. I. Thunder team is made up of elite players, 10 who have committed to play Division I college softball on scholarship. This year will be Kristen’s third year playing for RI Thunder where she leads the team in home runs. Kristen was also named DVC player of the year last year for high school ball.

During the ceremony rock star pitcher Jaclyn Cortese signed a letter of intent with Franklin Pierce University. Jaclyn will attend Franklin Pierce for the 2014-15 academic year.  Jaclyn has proved her abilities on the mound and has been named DVC Pitcher of the Year for the past two years. In addition for pitching for the Nipmuc Warriors Jaclyn played for R.I. Thunder Blue and belongs to the Planet Fast Pitch Varsity Club.

The level of commitment required to play on elite teams is extremely high and requires hours of practicing and conditioning. The girls were able to keep up the intense schedule all while managing their school work; often times social and family events were sacrificed for their love of the sport. Both Kristen and Jaclyn spent their summers dedicated to playing ball every weekend traveling up and down the east coast.

Jaclyn and Nicole are very excited to continue to play softball at the collegiate level. Congratulations!

Kristen Niland and Jaclyn Cortese

Jaclyn Cortese signing letter of intent of Franklin Pierce

Kristen Niland signing letter of intent for University of Maine

Photos submitted by Mary Cortese