After guiding the Dons to back-to-back playoff appearances, four of the team's sophomores on the 2012 squad have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year universities.
Leading the way is Hannah Dowling who signed on to play at the University of West Florida. Dowling set the career records for batting average (.414), hits (113) and runs (75) this season, adding to her already impressive resume that boasts the single season batting average record that she set last season at .490.
The next two signees were Kaitlyn and Kristen Hooper who will continue to be battery mates at the University of Redlands. Kristen was named Second-Team All-Orange Empire Conference after batting .336 as the Dons full-time catcher.
Her sister, Kaitlyn, served as the team's main pitcher this season throwing 207 of the team's 283 innings. She finished with a 3.69 ERA and a 21-14 record with 10 complete games.
Finally, Rachel Prentice rounds out the group of signings as she will be transferring to nearby Concordia University in Irvine. Prentice served as the Dons everyday centerfielder, boasting a .965 fielding percentage while batting .227 with 13 RBI.
Co-head coach Jessica Rapoza said she feels the group has what it takes to succeed at the next level saying that "these four know the work ethic and commitment level needed to succeed at the next level. I have no doubt they will not only complete their educational and athletic goals but will bring something special to their next program."
Rapoza also pointed to the sophomore's achievements in the classroom as the main reason for their success.
"What I'm most proud of was that the girls not only earned their scholarships on the field but in the classroom as well" Rapoza said. "They prepared themselves academically from the very beginning of their college career. When the opportunity arose for them to transfer to the next level, they were ready."
As freshman, the group helped the Dons to the Super Regional Finals of the California Community College Athletic Association Softball Playoffs. The team made a return to the postseason this season, pushing #3 Mt. SAC to three games in the Regional Finals.
