WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford softball coach Diana Consolmagno announced the signing of freshman Chelsey Mooney, the final addition to the Hawks' recruiting class for the 2011 season. A native of Corona, Calif., Mooney is the fourth recruit signed by the Hawks for the upcoming season, joining second baseman Amber Andrews (Greenwood, Del./Milford Senior), pitcher Kaitlyn Meade (Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville) and Genevieve Morneau-Vaillancourt, a shortstop out of Quebec City, Quebec.
“We are very excited to have Chelsey as a new addition to the Hartford Hawks,” remarked Consolmagno. “She is a strong power hitter who is sure to make an immediate positive impact in our line-up.”
Mooney attended Corona High School where she served as the team's starting first baseman all four seasons. A two-time team captain, she led the Panthers to three California Interscholastic Federation tournament appearances including a trip to the state finals during her senior campaign in 2010.
While playing an important role in her high school team's success, Mooney also comes to Hartford with a long list of individual accolades. A Big VIII First Team All-League pick in 2010, the left-handed hitter was also a three-time Mountain View Second Team All-League selection as well as a three-time Big VIII Second Team All-League honoree. In addition, Mooney garnered Division I All-CIF First Team, Division I All-State Second Team accolades in 2010.
During her final two seasons at Corona High School, Mooney led the way at the plate finishing as the team's leading hitter. The power hitter closed out her senior campaign hitting at a clip of .430 while boasting a .620 slugging percentage. In 351 career at-bats, Mooney sported a batting average of .351 with 110 hits, 21 of which went for extra bases, while driving in 51 runs.
Mooney played eight years of summer ball with the Corona Angels where she most recently participated in the Premier Nationals with the 18-Gold team.
The Hartford softball team kicks-off its fall season with a doubleheader against Marist on Saturday, September 18. The first pitch of the 2010 fall ball season will be thrown at 12 noon.
