Softball, Class of 2004 

During her two years as the Santa Ana College, softball shortstop, Sandra “Sam” Arledge Compton led the Dons to two consecutive post-season appearances including Santa Ana College’s first state softball title in 1985.

Despite losing the first game of the 1985 state softball championships, 1-0, to Sacramento City, Compton and the Lady Dons bounced back to win four straight games, including a pair of shut outs over rival-Fullerton College, to finish the season 42-3 overall and claim the state title. The 42 wins posted by the 1985 softball team still ranks first in the college’s history.

Compton was a two-time all-South Coast Conference selection at shortstop in 1984 and 1985 and was named the Southern California Regional Softball Tournament Most Valuable Player and the California State Tournament Most Valuable Hitter following the 1985 season. She was also named the 1984-85 Santa Ana College Female Athlete of the Year.

While at Santa Ana College (1984-85), Compton appeared in 84 of 85 games and helped the Dons post an overall record of 73-12 (.858). She finished her career with a .328 batting average, 92 hits, 49 RBI, 54 runs scored, 8 doubles, 9 triples and 5 home runs. During her sophomore season she batted .389 (58 of 151) with six doubles, four triples and two home runs while driving in 32 runs and scoring 30 runs.

Following the Lady Dons’ championship season in 1985, Compton earned a full scholarship from UCLA to play softball. While playing for the Bruins, she was twice named a Second Team All-American and was named the team’s most valuable player as a senior.