Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Valparaiso softball head coach Jordan Stevens announced today that Jorgi Calombaris, Ashlynn Grubb and Samantha Stewart have all signed National Letters of Intent to join the Crusader softball program as freshmen for the 2014 season.

"We are very pleased to announce these three well-deserving young women to our program and family," said Stevens. "Each one of them brings unique skills to our team that will help make us better as a whole. I look forward to their future successes at Valpo."

Calombaris, a 5'2" infielder out of Lincoln-Way East [Ill.] H.S., hit .381 last season with 16 stolen bases in helping the Griffins to their conference championship, earning All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Area honors along the way. Calombaris has helped Lincoln-Way East to three consecutive IHSA 4A regional championship games and delivered the game-winning RBI in the regional title game as a freshman. She plays her travel ball with the Illinois (Southern) Force 18U Gold team, which placed ninth at Gold Nationals in July 2012.

"Jorgi epitomizes what a ballplayer is," said Stevens. "She goes all out in everything she does and her energy and passion will be infectious on our team. She will most likely play somewhere on the infield."

Grubb, a 5'7" right-handed pitcher out of Lakeland [Ind.] H.S., is a three-time First Team All-Conference choice and a three-time All-Area selection by the Kendallville News-Sun. An All-District team member as a junior, Grubb pitched the Lakers to a sectional championship in 2012, registering 13 strikeouts in a shutout performance in the sectional title game. Grubb already holds Lakeland's career record for strikeouts with one more season remaining.

"We are thrilled to have Ashlynn decide to make Valpo her home for the next four years," said Stevens. "She is a hard throwing, hard working athlete who will come in and add a positive force to the pitching staff right away."

Stewart, a 5'8" third baseman/catcher, is teammates with Calombaris at Lincoln-Way East [Ill.] H.S. Stewart was an All-Conference and All-Area selection in 2012 for the Griffins as they claimed their conference title, while also earned All-State Special Mention. Stewart led both her high school and travel teams last season in RBIs and on-base percentage after hitting 12 home runs in her first season with the Lincoln-Way East varsity.

"Sam brings a powerful bat to our lineup, combined with the ability to play multiple positions in the infield," said Stevens. "Her ability to be a force in both facets of the game is something we are very excited about."