Softball Signs Six New Cardinals

Nov. 14, 2013

University of Louisville head softball coach Sandy Pearsall has announced that six prospective student-athletes: Sydney Benz, Bridgette Flaherty, Sidney Melton, Ashley Nikolao, Madi Norman and Alison Szydlowski will join the Cardinals in the fall of 2014.

"We are proud to welcome the class of 2014 to our program," said Pearsall. "This group brings a little bit of everything to the mix: speed, power, defense and pitching. They also have a wealth of experience at a very high level and will help us continue to strive toward our goal of earning a trip to the Women's College World Series."

Sydney Benz

Position: SS/INF
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/HS: Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North HS
Travel Team: Beverly Bandits

Sydney Benz joins the Cardinals from Carol Stream, Ill., where she plays for Glenbard North High School and the Beverly Bandits travel team. As a four-year starter and two-time captain for her high school team, Benz is a four-time All-Conference selection. In 2013, she earned All-State, and Daily Herald and Chicago Sun Times All-Area honors after batting .459 with nine doubles, three triples, 39 runs and 29 RBIs. She was also named one of the Top 100 Illinois High School athletes by the Chicago Sun Times and was a High School Heisman nominee. Benz is a two-time My Suburban Life All-Area selection (2011 and 2013) and a 2011 Daily Herald All-Area honorable mention.

While playing for the Bandits, she helped her team to a top 12 finish in the 2012 and 2013 Premier Nationals, batting .500 in the 2013 tournament. The Bandits also placed in the top five at the TCS Nationals in 2013.

Academically, she ranks among the top 15 percent of her senior class and is a National Honor Society member. She is also a three-time academic all-conference selection.

Before signing with Louisville, Benz also considered Kentucky, North Carolina, Boston College and Northwestern

Sandy Pearsall on Sydney Benz:
"Sydney is a great all-around player. She can play multiple positions in our infield. She has power, loves the game and plays with a passion - she's a very exciting player to watch in that sense and she's always pumped up to play the game. We're really excited to have a player from Chicago on our team - her career should be a great one."

Sydney Benz on U of L:
"I chose the University of Louisville first and foremost because it felt like home when I stepped foot on campus. Also, the supportive environment surrounding student athletes is amazing. The coaching staff and the team itself gave off a warm and welcoming feeling. I chose U of L because of the opportunities to excel academically and athletically. I'm ecstatic to be a part of the Cardinal family!"

Bridgette Flaherty

Position: LHP/1B
Bats/Throws: L/L
Hometown/HS: Woodstock, Ga./Etowah HS
Travel Team: Georgia Knockouts Gold

Bridgette Flaherty joins the Cardinals from Woodstock, Ga., where she plays for Etowah High School and the Georgia Knockouts Gold travel team. The two-time Cherokee County Pitcher of the Year helped lead her team to three state playoffs. She was also a three-time first team All-Region selection and was the 2011 Cherokee Ledger News Player of the Year after registering a 17-4 record and a 0.74 ERA. Flaherty was a two-time team MVP and earned Etowah Defensive Player of the Year honors.

In the classroom, Flaherty is a four-year Scholar-Athlete and a two-year Academic letterwinner. She is also a member of the National Honors Society, Math Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society while ranking in the top 10 percent of her graduating class.

She also considered Tennessee, Marshall and Georgia Tech before signing with Louisville.

Sandy Pearsall on Bridgette Flaherty:
"Bridgette will bring to us a different look in pitching - she will be only the second left-handed pitcher in program history and we are excited to have her on board. She brings a great deal of experience and we look for her to do great things at Louisville."

Bridgette Flaherty on U of L:
"At the University of Louisville the athletic department is treated like a family. The coaches truly care about the success of their players on and off the field. U of L was the perfect school for me to achieve my academic and athletic goals. I am so excited to be a part of this family and can't wait to be on campus!"

Sidney Melton

Position: SS
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown/HS: Whitehall, Ohio/Columbus Bishop Hartley
Travel Team: Louisville Lady Sluggers

Sidney Melton joins the Cardinals from Whitehall, Ohio, where she is a three-time Offensive Player of the Year for Columbus Bishop Hartley High School and the Louisville Lady Sluggers travel team.

She is a three-time All-Central Catholic League first team selection and a two-time All-District first team pick (2012 and 2013) after earning second team honors in 2011. In 2013, she earned first team All-State and All-Metro honors. Melton was named her team's Most Valuable Player as a sophomore and junior. She also lettered in swimming, basketball and broke three junior high school track and field records.

In addition to her high school success, she was a member of the 14U ASA/USA Class `A' National Champion Lasers Gold '96 team.

Melton was named a 2013 Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Scholar Athlete and has been on the honor roll in every semester of her high school career.

Before signing with Louisville, she also considered the University of Tennessee.

Sandy Pearsall on Sidney Melton:
"Sidney is a very good middle infielder with a great `game sense.' She has a very nice swing, good quickness and not only has the ability to hit for power, but also has a skilled short game. She's got very good hands and possesses great defensive range."

Sidney Melton on U of L:
"Louisville feels like a second home to me. The more I visited campus the more I fell in love with it. The atmosphere is great, the coaches and players seem like they can give me everything I am looking for in a college team. Everything about Louisville is amazing, including the academic opportunities I will have. I can't wait to spend the next four years of my life here with the rest of the Cardinal family!"

Ashley Nikolao

Position: UT
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/HS: Flaherty, Ky./Meade County HS
Travel Team: Louisville Lady Sluggers 18U Gold

Ashley Nikolao joins the Cardinals from Flaherty, Ky., where she is a four-year letterwinner for Meade County High School and plays for the Louisville Lady Sluggers 18U Gold travel team.

Nikolao is a two-time All-State and All-Region first team selection (2012 and 2013) and was named the 2012 Third Region Player of the Year. She is also a three-time first team All-District and All-Area selection. In 2012, she was named All-Area Player of the Year and All-Area Sophomore of the Year. She earned her team's Offensive Award after posting the highest batting average, slugging percentage and most RBIs.

Nikolao is a member of the National Honors Society and Youth Salute. She is four-time all-academic team selection and has been on the honor roll for the past three years.

Sandy Pearsall on Ashley Nikolao:
"Ashley has great offensive power and is very strong. She has very good quickness and is versatile - we can play her anywhere. She will only continue to get better with the everyday work she will do on the college level. We are excited that a great player from the state of Kentucky is staying home to play for us."

Ashley Nikolao on U of L:
"I chose U of L because at the young age of four I wanted to play there. It has been my dream throughout my softball career. On my first visit, the connection was real and I felt at home. The coaching staff, campus and surroundings was off the chart. U of L not only offers me a great athletic opportunity but an academic one as well. I know that I will be pushed to strive not only as an athlete but as a student as well. I cannot wait to be a part of this wonderful, competitive team and college. Go Cards!"

Madi Norman

Position: RHP/UT
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/HS: Tipton, Mo./Tipton HS
Travel Team: Missouri Rattlers

Madi Norman joins the Cardinals from Tipton, Mo., where she is the two-time Offensive Player of the Year and 2011 MVP for Tipton High School and plays for the Missouri Rattlers travel team.

Norman is a two-time All-State pitcher selection and four-time All-Region and All-District team member. She also earned Kasinger All-Conference pitcher honors in 2010. Norman currently owns several records in the Missouri State High School Activities Association including: career batting average (.639), career on-base percentage (.677) and consecutive at-bats without a strikeout (126). She is also ranked among the top 10 in career extra base hits (seventh with 65), doubles (seventh with 38), RBIs per game (second at 1.7) and slugging percentage (second with 1.084).

She has also turned in solid results in the classroom, earning academic all-state honors from 2010 through 2012.

Before signing with Louisville, Norman also considered Northwestern, Nebraska, Georgia Southern, Missouri State and Southeast Missouri State.

Sandy Pearsall on Madi Norman:
"Madi Norman is a very good athlete who has power as well as solid pitching and defensive skills to make her a well-rounded player. She will continue to improve herself and help our program, not only as a pitcher, but as a utility player. She has the ability to be an impact player."

Madi Norman on U of L:
"When I was younger, I remember watching the University of Louisville softball on TV and thinking how incredible it would be to play for the Cardinals. When I got older, I was blessed with the opportunity to come on a visit, and I fell in love. After attending several other college visits, I could not see myself anywhere else. The coaching staff and school are incredible, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity."

Alison Szydlowski

Position: C/3B
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown/HS: Imperial, Mo./Seckman HS
Travel Team: St. Louis Chaos

Alison Szydlowski joins the Cardinals from Imperial, Mo., where plays for Seckman High School as a four-year varsity letterwinner and has played for the St. Louis Chaos for the past six years.

While at Seckman, Szydlowski helped lead her team to conference district and sectional championships in 2011. She earned first team All-State, Region, District and Conference honors for the past three years and was the 2011 Suburban South Player of the Year. In 2013, her team earned the "Musial Award" for National Sportsmanship. She currently has 29 entries in the Missouri State record book.

In addition to her softball honors, Szydlowski, was a member of the Lettermans Club and National Honors Society while maintaining honor roll all eight semesters in advanced classes.

Before choosing Louisville, she also considered: Indiana, Alabama, and Southern Illinois.

Sandy Pearsall on Alison Szydlowski:
"Alison is very similar to our current catcher Maggie Ruckenbrod - and they came from the same St. Louis Chaos program - so it's ironic that we are adding another catcher to match one of the best catchers we've had play here. She is a power hitter, and has a strong arm and a great release. She's got some good quickness and has been well-coached. She's going to do a tremendous job for us."

Alison Szydlowski on U of L:
"From the moment I stepped on the campus, I knew the University of Louisville was the school for me. The coaches really care about their players and the game of softball. I felt like I could start playing right then and there. Academically, mentally, and physically they will prepare me to perform and compete at my best at a high level. After visiting Louisville none of the other schools compared. I'm super happy with my decision and cannot wait to officially become a Louisville Cardinal next fall."

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