MURFREESBORO- The Chowan University softball team and head coach Mandi Balduf announced Thursday morning their first signee of the 2008 class.  This is the programs first National Letter of Intent signee. 

"Alison is the total package.  She comes from a good home and will bring the skills needed to succeed not only athletically and spiritually, but also in the classroom.  She is the type of player that will be a program changer for us," said Balduf.

Alison Kolezynski is a senior pitcher/ first basemen standout from Strongsville High School in Strongsville, Ohio.  Alison is a left handed pitcher who led her team in her junior year with a 1.48 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched. She also set the school record of 19 strikeouts in one game.  Not only does Kolezynski standout on the mound she also shines both at the plate and on first base.  She batted .398 with an on base percentage of .633 last season.  She was also named defensive player of the year by her team.  Kolezynski received no shortage of awards after her junior season.  She was named first team All-Pioneer Conference, first team All-Sun and All-Sun Southwest, which are awards given out by her local newspapers.  Alison has been prepped by High School coach Jeanette Howard.

Alison also excels in the classroom.  Not only will she bring her athletic abilities to the playing field she will also bing her 3.9 GPA to the classroom.  Alison is an active member in her school's National Honor Society, Spanish Club, and she also plays the tuba in her school's Marching Band. Alison is the daughter of Jim and Susan Kolezynski.

"Alison excels both on the mound and at first base,"added Balduf.  "With her work ethic, I anticipate Alison competing for playing time immediately at both positions."