Dec. 6, 2007

CHICAGO - Fresh off of capturing its fourth regular-season Horizon League title last spring, Loyola University Chicago head softball coach Yvette Healy announced today the signing of four recruits for the 2009 season. Three of the four recruits hail from the Chicago area.

Lauren Arceneaux is a shortstop/center fielder from Algonquin, Ill., who batted .491 with 12 doubles, 16 RBI and 31 runs scored last season at Jacobs High School. The speedy Arceneaux also plays for the Midland Magic.

"Lauren is a phenomenal student-athlete with great arm strength, bat speed, power and speed on the bases," Healy said. "She has the ability to step in and make an immediate impact."

"Lauren wants to be the best she can be on the softball field, in the classroom or just being a friend," said Midland Magic coach Dale Shelton. "She is a true leader and a team player. Everyone that knows Lauren loves and respects her both as a person and as an athlete."

Stevie Bradich is a product of Mother McAuley High School on the south side of Chicago. The second baseman/center fielder also competed for the Hegewisch Synergy travel organization, where she batted .487 (73 for 150) with two doubles, a pair of triples, four home runs, 31 RBI, 68 runs and a staggering 50 stolen bases last season.

"Steve has tremendous raw, physical ability," Healy said. "Her outstanding speed and athleticism from the left side of the plate will make her an offensive threat. She's a gritty second baseman and center fielder with the ability to dive and cut balls in the hole and in the gaps."

"In the 25-plus years I've been coaching, Stevie has the most speed I ever saw," said former Mother McAuley coach Bob Dillon. "She will make a big contribution to Loyola's program."

Pitcher Hilary Payne has been a standout southpaw at Canton High School in Plymouth, Mich., in her prep career and also has enjoyed success with the Michigan Finesse and the Michigan Batbusters. Last season, she batted .425 with seven doubles and a home run at Canton High School and was 14-7 with a pair of saves, a 0.89 ERA, 194 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 149 innings in the pitching circle.

"Hilary is a tough lefty with great size, speed and movement," Healy said. "Under the guidance of pitching coaches Missy Beseres and Amber Podlesny, Hilary has the ability to become an elite college pitcher."

"Hilary is a great talent and we feel she is the top 2008 grad pitcher in Michigan," said Mark Bate, head coach of the Michigan Batbusters. "She is a powerful, 5-foot-10 left-hander with all the pitches. Each pitch has great movement and she has tremendous command of location."

Oak Park-River Forest High School standout Seana Stillson brings impressive credentials to Loyola. The Oak Park, Ill., native posted a 16-6 record with a 0.87 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 145.0 innings of work as a junior, helping her team to an appearance downstate. As a sophomore, the right-hander posted a 13-2 ledger with a sparkling 0.30 ERA and has been a key factor in OPRF making three straight trips downstate, including a state championship in 2005.

"Seana has tremendous movement on her pitches and has a wealth of potential," Healy said. "Her work-ethic and potential make her a huge asset to our program."

Last season, Loyola claimed the regular-season Horizon League title after going 14-5 in circuit play. The Ramblers also posted victories over local Women's College World Series participants Northwestern and DePaul.