On Tuesday, April 22, 2014, William Tennent seniors Nikki Alden and Kaitlin O'Toole were recognized at a special new conference/celebration breakfast for committing to play softball at the collegiate level. To view photos of the signing, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Cardinal Camera sponsors all SOL college signings on SuburbanOneSports.com. For additional information about purchasing a commemorative keepsake of the signing, please click on the following link: http://www.suburbanonesports.com/forms/college-signings.
Nicole Alden – Saint Joseph’s University (Softball)
Major: Interdisciplinary Health Studies
Reasons for choosing St. Joe’s: “It’s close to home, it’s a beautiful campus, and it has my major.”
What was the progression that led you to playing softball at the collegiate level? “I saw my sister 
(Ashley) go through the recruiting process, and I was motivated to do the same. I will really enjoy playing softball while furthering my education.”
Coach Biz Keeney says: “Nikki brought an intensity to the game. She could hit for power, but she also was a spray hitter. She used all the fields. She’d hit a ball down the left field line, and she’d hit a ball down the right field line. Nikki could hit a ball out to right field, she could hit a ball out to left field or she could hit a ball out to right field. She is truly a hitter that can use every part of the field as compared to a lot of kids, and I think that’s what separates her, and that’s why I think her career at St. Joe’s could be very, very good because of her ability to adjust as a hitter. That’s tough for kids to do. As a right handed hitter, they forget there’s a right center and right field.
“Nikki hit .500 for us – she was 24-for-48, and she led the team in walks. Out of all our regulars, she had the fewest official at-bats. She knows the zone, she knows where she wants to hit the ball, and that’s basically what she does.
“Nikki had a stretch where she threw two no-hitters in a row. That’s difficult to do in a year, let alone in two straight games. She’s not going to St. Joe’s to pitch. Her value is you can put her anywhere on the field and that includes pitching. I wouldn’t be surprised if she does get the ball a little bit at St. Joe’s in some situations.
“She’s a great kid. She has very good leadership abilities. She’s been a four-year starter, so the leadership kind of fell to her. It became a situation where she took the bull by the horns. She’s a team player, she’s not a complainer. If somebody booted a ball behind her, you’d never know it. She just threw the next pitch. She plays the game the way you’re supposed to play the game. Players like Nikki don’t come along every day. That’s the best way to describe a player of her caliber. She’s not your ordinary type of kid.”
About Nicole:
Favorite food: Chicken Fingers
Favorite movie: Titanic
Favorite music: Country
Kaitlin O’Toole – West Chester University (Softball)
Major: Undeclared
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “Really nice campus; good softball team.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate softball? “Ever since I was little I have 
always wanted to play softball at college. The process started with emailing college coaches and visiting them.”
Coach Biz Keeney says: “Kaitlin is a four-year starter. She held down center field very well. She grew as a hitter to become a more complete hitter. I thought she got better each of her years that I got to see her play. She’s a very, very good defensive outfielder. Her strengths are her range and her arm.
“I think West Chester is a real good fit for her. She wants to major in physical education, and from an academic standpoint, I think it’s a good place for her. Kaitlin has played - for the most part - upper level travel ball and high school ball for four years. I can’t think she’s going to go in there and say, ‘Wow, the pitching is something I haven’t seen’ because she has. I think West Chester is a very good fit, and I think she will do very well.”
About Kaitlyn:
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite movie: The Sandlot
Favorite music: Country
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