San Jose Sting

When Ashley steps up to the plate, the outfield is usually backing up. Known as a power hitter (she went yard twice in Vegas, in the same game last season), her ability to smash the ball was definitely a big factor in the attention she received from colleges. With interest from numerous colleges, including several Pac-12 schools, Ashley was starting to narrow her list, when a chance encounter at the 2011 Gold Nationals happened. The Head Coach and Assistant Coach from UC San Diego watched the San Jose Sting play and inquired about Ashley. As luck and the softball gods would have it, she delivered with a crushing double in the game, bringing about excited looks from the UC San Diego coaches and some extensive note-taking about Ashley. After several visits, e-mails, phone calls and camps, Ashley just knew that UC San Diego was the right fit for her! With excellent academics, defending NCAA Division 2 champions and a great location, Ashley let Head Coach Gerckens know that "I would be honored to join the UCSD Triton softball squad!"
Congratulations Ashley, on following your heart!
And thank you to Vern, Regina and Josh for your unwavering support in helping Ashley reach that next level in her softball career!

Mo Duddy signed her NLI during the early signing period this past November, to become a part of the Marist College softball squad starting with the Fall 2012 season. Congratulations, Maureen!

Sting Coach Arnold Tellez (Kayla's coach for several years), Kayla and her parents approached Sting Coach Perales two years ago to work on a plan to help achieve her dreams of going to Princeton. Kayla had the academic portion covered with a lot of sleepless nights and studying relentlessly. Just as her goal was getting closer, Kayla tore her ACL last year and thought her dream of becoming a Tiger was vanishing; she was down, but she never quit!   

Sting Coach Perales said, “Kayla is a high achieving individual who could not accept failure.  We spoke quite a bit about softball being full of failure and we needed to work on accepting that fact first.”  She kept hitting and fielding with her knee brace on, using every opportunity to keep improving her game and it all paid off!  Kayla and her family found out over the holidays, from Coach Salcido, that Kayla was selected to play softball at the number one ranked school in the nation!  Kayla called Sting Coach Perales to give him and Kit the news and it was a moment that will be remembered forever!   

We thank Coach Salcido for believing in Kayla and want to congratulate Kayla and her parents Henry and Carol for a job well done!!!  Go Tigers!!!

Casey Lester has watched a fair share of fellow teammates and friends sign their names on the dotted line, finalizing their commitment to four-year institutions to continue their athletic careers. Lester said she cried at every one of them.
Flanked by flowers, balloons, old jerseys and photos, the Gilroy High senior softball player sat in front of about 50 friends and family inside the Cesar Chavez Library on the GHS campus Tuesday. It was her turn to scribe her signature on her Letter of Intent to play for LaSalle University. With no surprise, it took all of five words into her touching, albeit brief, "Thank you" speech before the tears took over.
"I had so much more to say, too," Lester said now laughing as her supporters gobbled up cake around her. "I just wanted to thank everyone who has had an impact in my life. My parents and the big influence they've had on me."
"I fell in love with it on my official visit in September," Lester said. "I'm so excited. The group of girls is so tight-knit and that's the type of team I wanted to go into - family oriented." The Explorers play in the Atlantic 10 Conference, which includes other teams such as Temple, George Washington and Saint Joseph's.

To read the rest of this wonderful article, please click on the link.....http://www.gilroydispatch.com/printer/article.asp?c=280892

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Casey Morris signed her NLOI during the early signing period, sealing the deal to attend and play softball for Sonoma State University.

Dana has committed to Head Coach Deanna Gumpf and her childhood dream school!  Dana is the epitome of hard work and was instrumental in winning a National Championship in her first year joining the Sting under Head Coach Bob Perales.  Coach Perales said, “It has been a pleasure working with Coach Deanna and her coaching staff to help Dana become part of a powerhouse softball program.  Every team needs a Dana Bouquet on their roster because she leads by example and is one of the hardest working athletes I’ve coached.  Her parents Mike and Tricia and siblings Whitney and Claire should be proud of Dana for her accomplishments and for surrounding her with success.”  Dana and her family’s commitment to success includes a seven hour round trip to attend all practices and events…all their hard work and patience has definitely paid off…congratulations to Dana and the Bouquet Family!

Taylor Yzaguirre 16U Tellez will be attending Colorado State University and playing for Coach Jen Fisher in 2013.  Taylor has toured the campus several times, as well as, attended a softball camp this past June. Colorado State University is a great fit for Taylor both academically and athletically. Colorado State University is a member of the Mountain West Conference which will be adding Fresno State and University Nevada Reno. Taylor will be majoring in Equine Sciences and pursuing a career in Veterinary Medicine. Coach Tellez said “ Taylor will make a great addition to Colorado State, she is a great defensive catcher with speed. Taylor’s parents Mike and Tracie along with her little sister Alex are proud of Taylor for her hard work and dedication!"

Kiersten Nordin commited to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo after falling in love with the campus and coaches!  Kiersten has been with Sting program since 10 years old and her loyalty paid off. Coach Jenny, Linda and Ani were wonderful to work with in making Kiersten's dream come true. Kiersten will be studying Biology and Poly is building a brand new Biology building that will be ready when she attends.  Kiersten played on the 14U National Championship team and was instrumental on defense!  Coach Perales said, “Kiersten has always been a hard worker and was extremely coachable.  She will do well for Poly and glad she will be playing for a great coaching staff.”  Her parents Jim and Jen were very happy with Kiersten’s decision. Kiersten had a great outing at the Cal Poly camp, smashing a grand slam during the scrimmage and making some incredible plays at 3rd, helping make Cal Poly's decision very easy! Bob was able to join Jen and Kiersten when they accepted Coach Jenny Condon’s proposal to attend Cal Poly.  Kiersten has a sister Megan who plays for Leo Ibarra’s 14U team who is also a big hitter!  Megan has a twin sister Jaime too!
Congratulations Kiersten!!!

Andrea Reynolds 16U Perales will join the UC Davis Aggies in 2013!  Andrea or better known as “Dre” helped Sting-Perales 14U win a National Championship by pitching some stellar games and hitting a couple of game tying and winning runs.  Dre and her parents met with Coach Yoder and were really impressed with the campus and coaching staff.  Per Coach Perales “Dre is a competitor and has accepted any challenge thrown her way.  Her commitment to our team involved a six hour round trip commute and I don’t believe she ever missed a practice or game. She will do well playing for Coach Yoder.”  Dre has a sibling named Nick and her parents Anthony and Denise are very thankful to UC Davis for the opportunity.  Congratulations Dre!!!

Kristen Clark 16U Perales will be attending UC Santa Barbara in 2013.  Kristen went on campus to visit with Coach Galicinao and fell in love with the campus and softball program.  UC Santa Barbara was a great fit, both academically and athletically, as Kristen carries a 4.4 gpa and she was, as Coach Perales said “An outstanding leadoff hitter and a great team player!  Her hard work and ability to be coached contributed to her success at the plate.”  Kristen’s parents Morgan and Candy along with her sister Lauren are proud of Kristen for her hard work on and off the field!

Courtney Tyler 16U Perales has verbally committed to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.  Courtney is the third player in two weeks to accept an offer to attend Poly.  Courtney’s dominance at the plate and her ability to play 1B and OF is what attracted the Mustang coaching staff to her.  Coach Perales said, “Courtney has a strong presence on the field and takes charge controlling the defense.  Her academic goals were a perfect match with Poly.  We’re very happy for Courtney and the Tyler Family!”  Courtney will be joining Kiersten and Shawna in 2013 as we wish them all the best of luck!

Shawna McDonough 16U Tellez will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, following the path of her older sister who also played softball at Cal Poly!  Shawna and her family have been long-time Mustang fans and we are glad for the McDonough Family that she gets a chance at playing in the Big West.  Coach Tellez said, “Shawna’s ability to be a triple threat at the plate has been instrumental in her success at pressuring the defense.”  Congratulations once again to Shawna and her family!

Having been on an unofficial visit earlier in the year, Chiara knew Santa Clara was at the top of her list. The location, great academics and the potential to contribute to the softball program were all key factors in her decision. Chiara got the opportunity to sit down for dinner with her soon to be Coach, once we were eliminated from the Colorado tourney and that helped to finalize her decision to become a Bronco!

Congratulations Chiara!

Amanda had been contacting Sonoma State regularly and really caught their eye at the beginning of the season, with some impressive pitching performances. After attending a recruiting camp in June, Amanda just knew this was her "school" and where she wanted to be. The campus was beautiful, the coaching staff was so open and welcoming and she just knew this was the right fit! Returning from Colorado, after more noteworthy outings, Sonoma State invited Amanda to a private clinic. Amanda was able to work with the Head Coach, a former pitcher, and get some key tips and advice, which was great and made her feel even more excited about Sonoma State. After one last time watching her in San Diego at Gold Nationals, Amanda contacted Sonoma State and made it official! Congratulations Amanda on becoming a Seawolf!!

    Class of 2013

• Annie Aldrete- University of Tennessee, verbal commitment
• Dana Bouquet- Notre Dame, verbal commitment
• Ashley Chestnut- UC San Diego, verbal commitment
• Kristen Clark- UCSB, verbal commitment
• Shawna McDonough- Cal Poly SLO, verbal commitment
• Kiersten Nordin- Cal Poly SLO, verbal commitment
• Andrea Reynolds- UC Davis, verbal commitment
• Lauryn "Lo" Saunders - UC Davis, verbal commitment
• Courtney Tyler- Cal Poly SLO, verbal commitment
• Taylor Yzaguirre- Colorado State University, verbal commitment

   Class of 2012

• Vanessa Alvarez - UC Berkeley
• Chiara Biagini - Santa Clara University
• Kayla Bose- Princeton
• Keiki Carlos- University of Hawaii-Manoa
• Jessica Chaulklin - Weber State
• Gretchen Diekman- UC Davis
• Tasi Docktor- University of Toledo
• Casey Lester- LaSalle University
• Casey Morris- Sonoma State
• Maureen "Mo" Duddy - Marist College
• Amanda Llerena- Sonoma State
• Alex Pingree- UCSB 

Class of 2011

• Kendra Campbell - UC Davis
• Alyssa Chauklin- Colgate University
• Hayley Davis - Ole Miss
• Megan Hansen - Sonoma State
• Katie Hoffman - Academy of Arts
• Sylvia Llamas - Drexel University
• Sarah Lira - St. Mary's
• Gracie Marshall- Tufts University
• Lexi Medina - University of Mary
• Dani Randall - Humboldt State University
• Jessica Vest - Oklahoma