SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Seton Hall softball head coach Ray Vander May has announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent. Outfielder Cashel Gaffey (East Lyme, Conn.), first baseman Kirby Groves (Yardley, Pa.), shortstop Brittany Hammer (Manheim, Pa.), pitcher Hannah Hill (Fryeburg, Maine), and pitcher Brooke Tull (Greenwood, Del.) will don the blue and white beginning in 2010.

Gaffey is a decorated corner outfielder who has played with the Connecticut Charmers Gold club team, one of New England’s top softball programs, coached by Neil Swanchak. She enters her final season as a team captain at East Lyme High School under the tutelage of Judy Deeb

“Cashel is an outstanding hitter who hits for power,” Vander May said. “She is a real student of the game who can hit with the best of them.”

Groves is a power hitting infielder out of Pennsbury High School. She brings a winning attitude to the table, winning a state championship in 2007 and two district championships in three seasons with head coach Frank McSherry. Groves plays for Steve Seckinger with the Pennsbury Gems Gold team during summer.

“During the summer I loved watching Kirby play the game,” commented Vander May. “Her leadership on the field is one of the best I have ever seen. She is a solid hitter who seems to love to hit in the pressure situation. She has an outstanding arm and is very solid defensive player.”

Hammer is a first team All-State member shortstop in Pennsylvania who has led her travel team, Delco Diamonds, in batting the past two seasons under the direction of head coach, Jim Christy. Last spring she hit .431 and a .580 on base percentage for Cathy Riggs for her high school team.

“Brittany is a power hitting lefty who has outstanding speed to go along with her outstanding glove skills at shortstop,” Vander May said. “Brittany has received numerous awards in high school and is a top ranked academic student.”

Hill was named Maine’s Gatorade Player of the Year after going 19-1 with an 0.26 ERA and 276 strikeouts. She threw four no-hitters, and allowed just 27 hits in 136 innings helping head coach Fred Apt and Fryeburg Academy to a state championship. Pitching coach Lynn Coutts works with Hill during the summer.

“Hannah is an outstanding student athlete who has many outstanding pitching weapons,” Vander May said. “Hannah was named pitcher of the year in the state of Maine and will be a pleasant addition to our pitching staff.”

Tull has been a first team All-State pitcher for the past two years and led her high school team to a state championship in 2007. Not only is she a strong hurler, Tull is an offensive threat, and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. She is coached by John Marvel with her high school, and also works with pitching coach Bill Dryden.

“Brooke is another outstanding pitcher and power hitter for us,” Vander May said. “Brooke comes from Delaware a state that has produced some outstanding softball players for Seton Hall.”