Kennedy Catholic High School’s Entwistle, Bates Sign with DePaul, Penn State

From John F. Kennedy Catholic High School in Somers: Kennedy Catholic seniors Rachel Entwistle, 17, of Katonah, and Schuyler Bates, 17, of Ossining, have signed National Letters of Intent during a ceremony in the school library.

Bates, a hard-throwing right-hander, inked with Penn State, while the power-hitting Entwistle, a catcher who holds Kennedy single season records for home runs and RBIs, and a New York State record for stolen bases in a game, committed to DePaul University.

Both were recruited heavily by Division I schools following summer league play.

"I was just thinking about how incredible it all was,” Entwistle said, reflecting on the journey leading up to yesterday’s signing. “I love my coach; he’s my dad. And I love Kennedy—it’s helped me so much academically.”

Entwistle hit the first home run out of Kennedy’s new softball field this past spring in a game in which she also hit for the cycle. Entwistle, who enters her second season as co-captain, has been a varsity standout since freshman year, ranking among the leaders in most offensive categories for Section 1 catchers. This year will likely see Entwistle set several school career marks for what promises to be a very talented Lady Gaels squad.

After anchoring a catching core that helped the New Jersey Breakers 18-and-under Gold Softball team, managed by U.S. National team coach Joe Salvatore, earn 3 straight trips to the ASA 18-and-under Gold Nationals, Entwistle has moved on to the New Jersey Cheetahs Gold Elite team, which will be coached this summer by former DePaul standout Jackie Tarulli.

"The process has been so real to me,” said Bates, who could possible go in next year’s Major League Draft, “especially when I signed my name on that paper.”

Radar guns clocked Bates at 91 mph during an early summer tournament in East Cobb, Ga. Then it was on to Arizona as one of 16 teams to compete in the Perfect Game World Wood Bat Association (PG WWBA) 17-Under World Series. He also attracted the attention of some professional scouts in October at the PG WWBA World Series last month.

Bates also has a no-hitter to his credit, throwing a near-perfect game this past spring when a base runner reached on an error. He induced a double play on the next pitch for the complete game victory facing the minimum number of batters.

“Kennedy has helped me prepare; coach Fletcher has been a big help throughout this process,” Bates said. “They’ve helped me become the pitcher I am today and also the person I am today with my Catholic education.”

Bates said he felt very comfortable with the Nittany Lions coaching staff, while Entwistle said she couldn’t turn down a Blue Demons program that has advanced to the Women’s College World Series four times in the past decade under Hall of Fame Coach Eugene Lenti.

“I think No. 2,” Entwistle said when asked if yesterday’s signing is tops on her list of accomplishments. “No. 1 is going to be when I win the College World Series with DePaul.”