Saint Louis University head softball coach Christy Connoyer has announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend the University and play for the Billikens beginning next fall.
The SLU recruiting class is composed of pitcher/first baseman Kaylea Chappelle (Carmi, Ill./Carmi White County H.S.), infielder/utility player Megan LoBianco (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South H.S.) and infielder/utility player Bailey Strecker (Oklahoma City, Okla./Carl Albert H.S.).
“We’re very excited to have three quality student-athletes join the Billiken softball program,” Connoyer said. “A combination of experience, power, versatility and overall athletic ability makes this an exciting class.
“All three student-athletes have a passion for softball and love to compete,” Connoyer said. “They also are talented in the classroom and realize the importance and value of a SLU education.”
Chappelle batted .538 as a junior and collected second-team All-State, Black Diamond Conference Most Valuable Player and Southern Illinois Coaches Association All-South accolades. She earned All-Conference plaudits as a sophomore (first team) and freshman (second team).
Chappelle’s career statistics include a .438 batting average, 29 home runs, 127 RBIs, a 49-11 pitching record and a 1.52 earned run average. She holds the Carmi White County season record of 11 home runs.
A member of the Premier Fastpitch (Paulson) travel team, Chappelle hit .370, registered a 1.50 ERA and was selected to play in the All-American Game. She helped the team finish seventh at the 2014 Gold Nationals and capture ASA state titles in 2014 and 2015.
Chappelle was a first-team All-Conference volleyball player as a junior. She ranks among the top 10 in her class and is a high-honors student and National Honor Society member.
“Kaylea is a fierce competitor with a passion for the game,” Connoyer said. “She is a powerful athlete at the plate and in the circle. Her work ethic and overall athletic ability will contribute greatly to the success of our team. Kaylea is a positive force on the field, and I am excited to watch her grow throughout her career.”
Chappelle, LoBianco and Strecker join a Billiken program that produced a school-record 36 victories and finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season standings last year.
