Fairfield, Conn. - Tiffany Lawson (Willow Grove, Pa.) and Mikayla Shumate (Montesano, Wash.) signed a national letter of intent to attend Fairfield University. The two student-athletes will play softball for the Stags under the guidance of Head Coach Julie Brzezinski.

            Lawson attends Germantown Academy, where she is a starting outfielder for the school's softball team. She is a strong, athletic outfielder who will add speed and power to the Fairfield lineup. Lawson has the potential to make an impact on the program both offensively and defensively. She also was a member of the East Norriton Heartbreakers ASA team.

            "I am looking for Tiffany to have a presence both on and off the field," Brzezinski said. "She has the ability to make a game-altering play. I am very excited about Tiffany's commitment to Fairfield and am looking forward to the next four years with her."

            Shumate's biggest asset is her speed, which could place her among the team leaders for stolen bases and runs scored once she arrives on Fairfield's campus. She will most likely set the table for the middle of the lineup, batting at the top of the Stags' lineup. Shumate is a member of the Washington Sidewinders and plans on studying nursing at Fairfield University.

            "We are very fortunate to have Mikayla join us next year," Brzezinski said. "Her speed and bat control will propel our offense and will spark us at the top of the lineup."

            Fairfield comes off a 25-25-1 record in 2008 and advanced to the 2008 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament as one of the top four teams in the nine-team conference.