Nov. 18, 2009

CHICAGO - The UIC softball program announced on Wednesday that Jacquelyn Fletcher (Lowell, Ind./Lowell H.S.), Courtney Heeley (Glendale, Ariz./Greenway H.S.), Natalie Hernandez (Glendora, Calif./Glendora H.S.) and Jenna Marsalli (Naperville, Ill./Nequa Valley H.S.) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Flames for the 2011 season.

"We couldn't be more excited to have Jenna, Jacki, Natalie and Courtney join our program," said head coach and 2009 Horizon League Coach of the Year Michelle Venturella. "We know that they are going to help continue to move our program towards becoming a national contender, and they are wonderful young women who possess qualities that we value highly as a staff."

Fletcher, who hails from northwestern Indiana, has been a fixture on the Red Devils varsity squad since her freshman season when the team made the state semifinals. An infielder who also pitches when called upon has spent the last seven summers as a member of the Orland Park Sparks 18U team, compiling three top 25 national finishes during her tenure.

"We are really looking forward to have Jacki join our program," said Venturella. "She is a second basemen that will also see some time on the mound. She has great motivation to simply get better at everything she does. We also look forward to having another strong left-handed hitter in our lineup."

An outfielder for Greenway High School, Heeley guided the Demons to an Arizona Div. IV title in 2008 and closed out her junior season in 2009 with a state runner-up finish. The Glendale, Ariz. native has earned a bevy of club team titles, including the ASA 16U Arizona championship with the Arizona Storm, a squad that would place fifth nationally, in 2008. Courtney currently plays for the Arizona Hotshots, a top ASA program. A multi-sport athlete, Heeley has also played volleyball, soccer and badminton while at Greenway.

"Courtney has great game sense and will also bring more of the speed element to our team," said Venturella. "She has grown up with wonderful coaching in the Arizona Sun Cat organization and takes pride in getting better each time she takes the field. We are looking for great things from Courtney in the outfield."

A southern California native, Hernandez enters her senior campaign on the heels of guiding Glendora High School to a Div. III runner-up finish in 2009. A force in the Sierra League, Hernandez has earned both first- and second-team all league accolades as well as being named league MVP in 2008. Natalie plays travel ball with the Corona Angels, a standout club that has also produced current Flames Stephanie Chavez, Ashley Hewett and Melinda Macias.

Hernandez excels in the classroom as well as on the field, as she was named a scholar-athlete as a freshman and has been honored as a Renaissance student for having a GPA of over 3.0 over the past three years.

"Natalie has been on many successful teams over the past several years and proves she knows how to win," said Venturella. "She loves to play the game and is truly excited about the opportunity to be a Flame."

Marsalli, a versatile player who has spent time in both the infield and the outfield in her prep career, guided the Stone City Sharks (former club of current Flames Christie Seddon and Coryn Schmit) to a NAFA 18U runner-up finish in 2008. A First-Team All Upstate Eight selection for Nequa Valley, Marsalli was named to team MVP after batting .429 and belting a school-record 11 home runs as a sophomore.

"Jenna is the kind of person that any coach would want on their team," said Venturella. "She brings leadership and maturity and simply does things the right way. Her versatility defensively gives us a lot of options on the field. She has a lot of power offensively and has a great mind for the game. She is a true competitor who absolutely loves to play the game.

"The integrity, hard work and ability to put the team first are all values that truly make these four student-athletes a great fit for UIC Softball. They come from outstanding families that are extremely supportive. We are thankful to have the opportunity to coach these four and look forward to creating wonderful memories together."

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