Abington Trio Commits to Play Collegiate Softball

On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, Abington seniors Aubrey Cataldi, Jamie Gosselin, Julie Downs and Nicolette Ray were recognized for committing to continue their softball careers at the collegiate level. 

Members of the Abington softball team are, front row from left, Aubrey Cataldi (Wilkes), Julie Downs (Gwynedd Mercy) and Nicolette Ray (Bloomsburg), back row, Jamie Gosselin (Widener) and Toni Washington (Delaware State for soccer).

Aubrey Cataldi – Wilkes University (Softball)
Final list of colleges: 
Wilkes, Utica, Nazareth
Most memorable moment of the season:  “Making the last out by diving in to the plate.”
Favorite class:  “Cooking because I could eat all the time.”
Must do this summer:  “Go to the beach and get a tan.”
Most played song on iPod:  “Sunday Candy”
Career choice:  Police Officer
People may be surprised that:  “I’m a twin.”
Coach Ellie White says:  “Aubrey was our catcher. I did not put her on varsity her freshman year because she had a little bit of an attitude that year and wasn’t really team oriented, but she made this remarkable turnaround to where her senior year - she was just unbelievable. She was helping out with everything. There were balls in the outfield that no one went and got, and all of a sudden you see Aubrey running out to get them. It was almost like when you have a freshman trying to make the team – that’s the stuff she did. She just did everything without ever being asked. Just to watch that turnaround was incredible in my eyes. It was pretty cool to see. I was so proud of her. She caught every game since her sophomore year, and she was great. She did a great job blocking the plate, and she framed pitches well. She was a big asset to our team the last three years.”

Julie Downs – Gwynedd Mercy University (Softball)
Most memorable moment of the season: 
“Getting to play with all the seniors during Senior Night and going 2-for-3.”
Favorite class:  Orchestra
Must do this summer:  Beach trips and go to Maine
Most played song on iPod:  “Wild Wild West” Will Smith
Career:  Nurse
People may be surprised that: “I am a black belt in karate
Coach Ellie White says:  “Julie was this incredible kid who wanted to work, who wanted to get better and wanted to play. If our team wasn’t so deep, she would have played a ton more, but we had pretty good talent, so it was tough for Jule to try and get in there. You would never think she didn’t play because she was so into every game, so into every practice. She came all throughout preseason and did lifting with us. She’s one of those kids you look at, and you just wish you could have everyone like her. She never complained but just went out there and did whatever she could do to help the team. She’s a great teammate, and it’s sad to see her go. She came on towards the end of the season, and I think Gwynedd Mercy is a good fit for her.”

Jamie Gosselin - Widener University (Softball)
The Scoop: 
Earned honorable mention all-league recognition as a freshman and received first team honors as a sophomore, junior and senior.
Most memorable moment of the season:  “First game back from my ACL tear.”
Favorite class:  Anatomy
Must do this summer:  Go to the beach
Most played song on iPod:  “American Kids”
Career:  Physical Therapist
Coach Ellie White says:  “In the fall, Jamie tore her ACL, MCL, you name it, and Bill Schmidt, our trainer and strength coach, worked with her all through the preseason. Jamie was determined to come back. Whenever you saw her in the hallway, she had a countdown going as to when she was going to be back. She stuck to it, and she came back. She could only DP for a couple of games. When she could come back to play the field, our trainer (Schmidt) said, ‘I’m not comfortable with her playing in center.’ We were looking long term to take care of her. We put her in left field, and she did great out there. She battled back and did what she needed to do to come back, and it was great to have her out in the field again. Jamie can do anything on the softball field. She can lefty slap, she can hit with power from the left, she can pretty much cover the whole outfield herself if you needed her to – she’s that fast. She’s a very talented athlete.”

Nicolette Ray – Bloomsburg University (Softball)
(To read about Ray’s signing, please click on the following link:  http://www.suburbanonesports.com/college-signings/content/abingtons-ray-play-softball-bloomsburg-0060552


Toni Washington – Delaware State University (Soccer)
(To read about Washington’s signing, please click on the following link:  http://www.suburbanonesports.com/college-signings/content/abingtons-toni-washington-signs-delaware-state-0059671

6