William Jessup University announced the signings of eight players for the inaugural season of softball on campus.  The signees include three pitchers, two corner infielders, and two outfield prospects.

Coach Jessica Pistole was able to tap into the talent of the Sacramento area and the Bay Area, picking up Kara Besseghini of Dixon, Elizabeth Benton of Loretto High School, Christina Cristo and Le'Nia Blackburn of Sacramento High School and Carissa Romero from Tulare High School. Pistole also signed transfers Gina Bologna, Jackie Ferrari and Brianna Melgard.

Besseghini brings a great combination of both athletics and academics to the program.  A two-time Solano Community College most valuable player and two-time Bay Valley Conference All Conference player, Besseghini brings the competitiveness and athleticism of playing at the next level.  She also earned Academic All American honors as well as being named to the Dean's List during her time at Solano. 

Benton comes to the Warriors from Loretto High School. A captain for two years as a Lion, she played both first base and third base and hit .475 her senior season.  She was selected first team All League her junior and senior year as well as most valuable player of her team both years.  She also graduated with academic honors at Loretto as part of their final graduating class.

Cristo, a 5-8 pitcher, also batted .500 and earned honors as a Triple-Impact Competitor Scholar.  As a Co-MVP of her team and an All League selection, Cristo lead Sacramento High School to the playoffs for the first time in school history. Another graduate of Sacramento High School, Blackburn also earned All League honors and was the Co-MVP of her team.  She graduated cum laude with honors.

Gina Bologna, originally from Burlingame High School, started in left field for the College of San Mateo.  Batting .306, she earned 2^nd Team All Conference and was a strong offensive leader for the College of San Mateo. Jackie Ferrari was the centerfielder for the College of San Mateo for the last two years.  Batting .306, Ferrari was selected First Team All-Conference.

Carissa Romero, a first baseman from Tulare Union High School.  Romero was First Team All County and First Team All League, leading her team to the East Yosemite League Championships.  As a senior, she finished with a slugging percentage of .711 and an on-base percentage of .433 while bringing a .386 total batting average.  Romero finished with thirty-two hits and twenty-six RBIs, including three doubles, six triples, and four homeruns on the season.

Pitcher Brianna Melgard earned First Team All-Conference in the California Pacific Conference, pitching the majority of 2009 season for the RedHawks.  Melgard, who played in Roseville at Woodcreek High, was a regular on the Sierra Foothill League All-League team.