Pirates Announce Six Signees for 2024 Recruitng Class - Seton Hall University Athletics
South Orange, N.J. – Seton Hall softball head coach Angie Churchill announced the signing of six new signees of the Class of 2024. Angelia Benitez (Eas...
South Orange, N.J. – Seton Hall softball head coach Angie Churchill announced the signing of six new signees of the Class of 2024. Angelia Benitez (East Windsor, N.J.), Sophia DeMarco (Cranford, N.J.), Naya Martinez (Lyndhurst, N.J.), Gabby Mercado (Fairfield, Conn.), Rachael Schumann (Downington, Pa.) and Gionnah Ruffner (Greensburg, Pa.) will take the field for the Pirates in the Spring of 2025.
"I'm extremely excited about this class and the future of Seton Hall Softball," Churchill said about the signees. "This group bring a lot of versatility and athletic ability to our program but most importantly great additions to our culture! I'm not only excited to see what each of them do individually to leave their mark on this program but what they do as a class together. I couldn't be more excited to officially welcome Angelina, Sophia, Naya, Gabby, Rachael and Gionnah to our Pirate Family."
Angelina Benitez is an outfielder from East Windsor, N.J. who will wrap up her four-year career at Hightstown High School this spring. Benitez played soccer and basketball in addition to softball, where she patrolled shortstop in addition to the outfield. Named team captain of her softball team as a senior, Benitez was named First-Team All-Conference twice during her career. She has totaled 102 career base hits, placing second in school history in that category. Benitez has batted .500 at Hightstown with 34 RBI, 76 runs scored and 40 stolen bases through three seasons.
Sophia DeMarco hails from Cranford, N.J. as comes to The Hall by way of Cranford High School. DeMarco played first base, outfield and also pitched while at Cranford, and was named team captain each of her final two seasons. Over her three seasons so far, DeMarco is batting .507 with 134 hits and 131 RBI. DeMarco was named First Team All-State in 2023 and was honored as Union County Player of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Naya Martinez is a middle infielder/utility player from Lyndhurst, N.J. She has spent the last two seasons at Mount St. Dominic Academy in Caldwell, N.J. after playing her freshman season at Lyndhurst High School. Last season, Martinez batted .343 with a .697 slugging percentage while launching eight home runs and driving in 24 runs for MSDA. In both of Martinez's seasons at MSDA, her team has been ranked in the top-10 in New Jersey.
Gabby Mercado has played three seasons at Fairfield Warde High School. Named a team captain for the last two seasons, Mercado was named First Team All-State during her sophomore and junior seasons. Over her career, Mercado has amassed 73 base hits, eight home runs and has batted .440 or better each season. She has also been named First Team All-Conference three times.
Rachael Schumann is a pitcher from Downington, Pa. who has played softball at Downington STEM Academy in her hometown. Named team captain each of the last two seasons, Schumann sports a 1.85 ERA and 508 strikeouts over 355.2 innings pitched through her first three seasons. The 2023 season was Schumann's best yet, striking out 293 batters over 159.2 innings and posting a 0.88 ERA. She was named First Team All-Region and PA District I Player of the Year, as well as First Team All-State, last season.
Gionnah Ruffner is a catcher from Greensburg, Pa. and comes to The Hall from Greensburg Salem High School. Ruffner has lettered four times in softball and three times in volleyball during her time at Greensburg Salem, being named team captain in both sports. Last season, Ruffner was named WPIAL All-Section after a season which saw her total 34 hits, 27 runs scored and nine home runs. Ruffner also owns the school record for highest slugging percentage at 1.500.
