WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – New Monmouth University Softball Head Coach Morgan Royer welcomed six new student-athletes to the roster for the 2024-25 schoolyear including three freshmen and three transfers.
 
Izzy Bonacci
Pitcher | Sophomore | Hamilton, NJ | Steinert / Mercer County CC

Before Monmouth: Transfers to Monmouth after spending one season at Mercer County Community College … Three-year varsity player at Steinert High School where she racked up 351 career strikeouts in 275.1 career innings pitched … 2022 Trentonian CVC Softball Player of the Year … Two-time First Team All-CVC … 2022 Mercer County Tournament MVP … Two-time First Team All-Area selection … Times of Trenton All-Area Softball Player of the Year in 2022 … Two-time sectional champion and state champion in 2023.
 
Personal: Parents are Sam and Michelle Bonacci … major is exercise science.
 
Royer on Bonacci: "I'm excited to add Izzy to our pitching staff. She has so much potential to do great things in the circle. She brings great positivity to our team."
 
Jayla Cadena
Pitcher | Junior | Lakewood, CA | St. Anthony / Dominican

Before Monmouth: Transfers in after spending her first two collegiate seasons at Division II Dominican … Appeared in 32 games with 17 starts and 24 appearances in the circle as a freshman in 2023 … Sported a 3.59 ERA for the season and even added six doubles and five RBIs as a hitter … Four-year varsity player at St. Anthony High School where she helped lead the Saints to two CIF state finals and one state championships … Two-time member of Team Cuba at the Triple Crown International Challenge.
 
Personal: Parents are Jonathan Cadena and Alana Ramirez … major is health studies and science.
 
Royer on Cadena: "Jayla is another great addition to our pitching staff. Her off-speed pitches will complete our staff. She also can contribute to our lineup with some additional power."
 
Kylee McLain
Outfield | Freshman | Bethany, CT | Amity Regional

Before Monmouth: Standout outfielder for Amity Regional High School and the Empire State Huskies club team for head coach Shana O'Gara … High honors student and a member of the National English Honor Society.
 
Personal: Parents are Chris and Heather McLain … major is homeland security.
 
Royer on McLain: "Kylee is going to shock a lot of people this year. She is as small as they come, but she plays big. For as sweet as she is, a feistiness comes out that will drive our team."
 
Clare Picone
Catcher | Freshman | Mamaroneck, NY | Rye Neck

Before Monmouth: Breakout star at catcher at Rye Neck High School for head coach Joan Spedafino … Member of the CT Impact Premier 18u club team for head coach Kenya McVey … Two-time All-State, All-Section, and All-Conference … Section Player of the Year as a senior … Two-time NYS Class B Section 1 State Champion … Also competed in basketball at the varsity level.
 
Personal: Parents are Anthony and Cynthia Picone … major is undecided.
 
Royer on Picone: "Clare will be a good addition to our lineup this year. She brings power and consistency at the plate. Her competitiveness in the box is contagious. She will also see time behind the plate."
 
Olivia Smith
Infield | Sophomore | Hamilton, NJ | Freehold Township / Rider

Before Monmouth: Transfers in after spending her first collegiate season at Rider where she appeared in 29 games with eight starts … Scored 11 runs serving primarily as a pinch runner … Four-year letterwinner at Freehold Township High School … Batted .404 for her career including a .537 on-base percentage with 25 RBI as a senior … Two-time First Team All-Division, two-time First Team All-Conference … two-time First Team All-Group, and two-time Third Team All-State selection … NJ Super 36 All-Star Selection and MVP … State champion in 2022 … Also played field hockey where she was a two-time All-Division player and was an All-Star selection as a senior.
 
Personal: Parents are Todd and Dawn Marino-Smith … major is business.
 
Royer on Smith: "Olivia comes to us with great tools. She is a super athletic lefty slapper with a lot of speed. She is a first baseman, but we also can utilize her in the outfield."
 
Gianna Stern
Infield | Freshman | Bloomfield, NJ | Mount Saint Dominic Academy

Before Monmouth: Four-year letterwinner playing for her father at Mount Saint Dominic Academy … Also played middle infield for the NJ Pride … Three-time All-Conference First Team; All-Conference Second Team as a freshman … All-Region First Team and All-State Third Team as a senior … Two-time Sectional champion … Three-time County champion … Also played basketball where she was a four-time All-Conference Honorable Mention.
 
Personal: Parents are Robert and Jennifer Stern … major is education.
 
Royer on Stern: "Gianna comes to us with such a great game sense. She's a gamer; when she steps on the field, she refuses to lose. Our program is going to benefit with having her on our team."