CHICAGO (July 31, 2023) - NJCAA Division III National Champion Bella Crimaldi will join the Loyola University Chicago softball team this fall, head coach Alicia Abbott announced Monday.

Crimaldi, a JUCO transfer student-athlete from Rock Valley College, spent the last two years with the Golden Eagles after graduating from Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Ill.

"We are so excited to announce the addition of Bella to our roster," said Abbott. "Undoubtedly, she is a fantastic third basemen and RBI producer, but more importantly, we're excited for what she brings to our culture,"

In 2022, Crimaldi helped Rock Valley capture its seventh consecutive NJCAA DIII Softball Championship after the team complied a 51-7 record. Crimaldi played a large role on that team ranking No. 6 in hits with 54 and No. 8 in batting average with a .391 mark. The powerful third baseman also belted seven homers, three triples and 11 doubles through the championship season. After the 2021 campaign, she was tabbed NJCAA Region Four Second Team All-Conference.

Last season, after the Golden Eagles made the move to NJCAA DII, Crimaldi doubled down for another impressive season. As the team went 44-12, Crimaldi owned a .380 batting average, 62 hits, 14 doubles, a triple, and a team-best eight home runs. Her 47 RBI ranked fourth on the team while her 21 stolen bases were third-most. Rock Valley again qualified for the national tournament after winning the Region IV Tournament and Crimaldi repeated on the NJCAA Region Four All-Conference Second Team.

At Prairie Ridge, she earned four varsity letters in softball and was named Defensive MVP twice. After her senior year, Crimaldi earned a spot on the Fox-Valley All Conference Team. She was an honor roll student in both high school and college.

"Bella is gritty, hardworking, and an absolute energy giver. She has spent the last two years learning from some of the best while winning a national championship. We can't wait for her to be on campus in the fall!"