Nov. 19, 2010
DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis softball team has announced that Kendra Campbell, Cassandra Ginnis, Jasmine Lee, Savannah Smith and Justine Vela have each signed National Letters of Intent during the November signing period and will join the Aggies in the fall of 2011.
One of the most talented recruiting classes in head coach Karen Yoder's tenure, the five newcomers will join a program that enters the 2011 season as reigning Big West Co-Champions. The Aggies also received a NCAA tournament berth last season, the first in the team's brief history at the NCAA Division I level.
"This is a tremendous signing class," said Yoder. "The diversity of positions in this class is truly going to help us in our depth. I also see some immediate playing time in a few of these freshmen, if not all of them. They will really challenge our other players in their first year in the program."
Campbell, a 5-foot-5 pitcher and utility player, comes from Irvington High School in Fremont, Calif. While at Irvington, she has amassed some impressive stats, including a 0.86 ERA in each of her last two seasons. Campbell also had an ERA of. 0.93 in her freshman season. At the plate, she hit .556 as a junior and was named a Mission Valley All-League Utility Player for her efforts. During her freshman and sophomore seasons, Campbell hit .351 and .400, respectively, while earning Mission Valley All-League Pitcher honors. In all three years of high school, she has also received the North Coast Section Scholar-Athlete Award.
"Kendra can play both corners and she can pitch." said Yoder. "She's what we call an ultimate utility player. Kendra has also played with the San Jose Sting organization and we are extremely excited to have her as an Aggie."
Ginnis, a 5-foot-2 outfielder, comes from Calvary Chapel High School in Santa Ana, Calif. While at Calvary Chapel, she has been a First Team All-Orange Coast League Defensive Player for her junior and sophomore years. Ginnis has helped lead Calvary Chapel to an impressive 15-0 record in the Orange Coast League the past two seasons, including first place finishes both years. She was Calvary Chapel's athlete of the year in both 2009 and 2010. Ginnis has also played soccer and volleyball in high school, and is a student body council representative.
"Casandra is another experienced outfielder with great speed and touch on the ball," said Yoder. "She has been a part of some great teams and knows what it takes to win."
Lee, a 5-foot-1 outfielder, comes from Esperanza High School in Anaheim, Calif. While at Esperanza, she was awarded All-Sunset League Second Team honors as a sophomore. In 2010, Lee helped her team to an 8-2 record and first place finish in the Sunset League, before advancing to the section quarterfinals. During her junior season, she was also named the team Offensive Player of the Year.
"Jasmine has great speed and bat control," said Yoder. "She will be a tremendous asset to us in our outfield. Jasmine has also played on one of the highest ranked travel ball clubs in the country, the Corona Angels."
Smith, a 5-foot-7 catcher, comes from Arlington High School in Riverside, Calif. While at Arlington, she helped lead her team to a 10-3, second place finish in the Inland Valley League, the past two seasons. In 2010, Smith and Arlington advanced to the second round of the CIF. She was named to the First Team All-Inland Valley League in 2010 and Second Team All-League in 2009. Smith also has been a scholar-athlete during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
"Savannah is a tremendous athlete," said Yoder. "She will bring some experience behind the plate. Savannah also comes from the travel ball club, the Corona Angels, and will be a huge addition to our program."
Vela, a 5-foot-5 pitcher, comes from Stockdale High School in Bakersfield, Calif. While at Stockdale, she help her team to a 22-8-1 overall record an a 10-2 mark in the Southwest Yosemite League in 2010. In each of the last two seasons, Vela and Stockdale have advanced to the section finals. In 2009 they held an 11-1 record in league play for a first place finish. Vela has recorded a 0.97 ERA, a 0.27 ERA and a 0.19 ERA in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. As a junior, she exploded for a .435 batting average and 1.000 fielding percentage, while striking out 324 on the season. Vela was named All-Area Player of the Year, Leage MVP, Team MVP and All-State First Team as a junior.
"Justine is one of the top pitchers in the 2011 class," said Yoder. "She also plays for the SoCal Choppers, one of the premier SoCal travel ball organizations. She has just developed tremendously over the past two years, from when we first saw her in a 16 and under travel ball league."
Coach Yoder was excited about her incoming recruiting class and the job that her staff as a whole has done in recruiting over the past few years. In each of the last two seasons, the Big West Freshman Field Player of the Year has been an Aggie. Kelly Harman received the award in 2009, while Elizabeth Santana took home the conference honor in the 2010 season.
"I think over the last four to five years, our recruiting has steadily inclined," said Yoder. "We don't have a national ranking, but if you look at how these teams finish in travel ball at the gold level, we are getting girls off of those teams. It's very exciting. Our entire staff does a tremendous job at going out and really identifying great students, but also great athletes. Having that combination of dedicated athletes in the classroom to complete our program is what we're looking for."
