DAYTON - University of Dayton of head softball head coach Cara LaPlaca has announced the signing of two student-athletes to join the team for the 2022 season. Mary Newton (West Chester, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) and Emma Schutter (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville High School) have signed National Letters of Intent to play softball at Dayton.

"Announcing the addition of these two quality young women is such a pleasure," reflected coach LaPlaca. "They each embody the character and values of our program. Their experience competing at an elite level has prepared them well. I am certain they will make a significant impact on the future of our team."

Newton, a 5-7 pitcher from nearby West Chester, Ohio, is currently a senior at Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati. Over two seasons of varsity play (2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19) under head coach Missy Markovic, she holds a 23-7 win-loss record, including seven shutouts, and 228 career strikeouts in the circle for the Lions. Newton helped lead her team to consecutive Greater Catholic League titles in 2018 and 2019 and earned First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-District honors. She has also been ranked among the top 100 players in the nation by FloSoftball and Extra Innings Softball. Newton plays club ball with the Ohio Hawks under head coach Wendell Hutchinson.

Schutter, a 5-8 outfielder and Dayton native, is in her senior year at Centerville High School. She is a club-ball teammate of Newton under Wendell Hutchinson, who also serves as her high school coach. Schutter, whose 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, set a Centerville single-season program record with a .607 batting average and was named to the Greater Western Ohio All-Conference First Team as a sophomore in 2019. Currently a team captain for the Elks, Schutter heads into her senior season with a .516 career average and 81 career hits. Her sister Maggie played volleyball at UD 2014-17 and her father Mark competed on the Flyers' tennis team 1982-85.