Indiana University Athletics
Softball Adds Two More
8/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 17, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana softball program and head coach Stacey Phillips has announced the signings of two more student-athletes for the 2005-06 recruiting class. Julie DiNallo (East Kentwood, Mich.) and Stephanie Pellerito (Tustin, Calif.) have both signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Indiana.
"Both of these young women will improve our team defensively and offensively," said Phillips. " With the four 2005 signees, we are looking to add athletic depth that will provide some stability to our growing process. They are all hungry for success along with the rest of the program and department."
DiNallo, who has played second, third and shortstop in high school, was named all-district and all-state academic team during her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons at East Kentwood. She was also all-area and all-conference honorable mention as a junior.
She helped lead her high school team to district championships in her freshman, sophomore and junior years. They also were co-conference champions during her sophomore season and advanced to the state semifinals in 2004.
"Julie is a tremendous student-athlete," said Phillips. " She is a very coachable player who will just continue to improve as each day goes on. Julie's immediate love for Indiana University is what every coach wants out of their players, not to mention the athleticism she brings to the table. She will also continue the academic tradition that is prevalent in our program."
DiNallo is a member of Finesse, a club Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA) travel squad. Finesse is also the former club team of Phillips.
"I just loved the campus and the atmosphere at IU," said Dinallo. "I love the tradition and the prestige of the school. The girls on the team seemed down to earth and are a lot of fun. The coaches are so easy to get along with and really know what they're talking about, plus they are young and have plenty of Big Ten softball experience. They are all definitely building a great, strong softball program at Indiana, and I love the opportunity to be a part of it.
Pellerito was a first team all-league honoree her freshman and junior year. She led Tustin High School to a league championship in her freshman campaign.
While playing ASA club ball, she led her teams to two runner-up finishes, as well as a third and fourth place showing in the past four years. She was twice honored with first team All-American accolades for her play in the summer. She will continue to play this summer on the Indiana Magic Gold ASA Club team.
Her hard work extends to the classroom too, where she was a National Junior Honor Society member in the seventh and eighth grade. She has made honor roll during all four years of high school and was awarded the Golden State Exam Award in Spanish.
"I choose Indiana because I felt like it was the best fit for me," said Pellerito. " I had that feeling that you get when you know that's the place you want to be. I believe IU will provide all that I am looking for in an education and in athletics."
"Steph is an absolute steal," said Phillips. "She will immediately impact our program up the middle defensively. At-bat, she will add much needed consistency and line drive power. Steph is an all around joy to have nearby. She loves the game of softball and also fell in love with IU from the first minute. There is no question that she will work hard from the moment she arrives here."
Dinallo and Pellerito join pitcher Aubrey Hayes (Lake Worth, Fla.) and middle infielder Sarah Padove (Hammond, Ind.), who signed with the Hoosiers in September, as the four members of the 2005-06 recruiting class.
