TUCSON – Four of the nation's premier high school softball players have submitted National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Arizona, head coach Mike Candrea announced on Wednesday.
Arizona's 2016 class includes Reyna Carranco (Oxnard, Calif.), Jessica Harper (Valencia, Calif.), Malia Martinez (Poway, Calif.) and Dejah Mulipola (Garden Grove, Calif.).
According to FloSoftball, the class ranks third nationally and includes four top-60 recruits.
The all-position-player foursome make up an athletic class with the potential to impact the program immediately.
“This class brings great athleticism, versatility and power to the Arizona lineup,” said head coach Mike Candrea. “All these kids have competed at a very high level and bring national championship experience to the Wildcats.”
Reyna Carranco – Shortstop
Oxnard, Calif. (Oxnard H.S.)
Named Pacific View League Player of the Year in 2015 … Led team to three straight league titles … An all-state performer … Named Max Preps Underclass All-American … Three-time Player of the Week … Hit .658 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI as a junior … Recipient of the Principle's Award for her work in the classroom where she has accumulated a 3.9 GPA and been named to the honor roll all four years.
Why Arizona? “Right when I stepped onto campus I felt at home. I love everything Arizona has to offer and I especially love the family atmosphere Coach Candrea and the softball program bring. I just think it's a perfect fit for me and I can't wait to be a Wildcat!”
What will she bring to the program?
Reyna says: “What I will bring to the Arizona softball program is my love and dedication to the game while being a hard working player on and off the field. My goal is to contribute to the team any way that I can and be a positive influence to those around me.”
Coach Candrea says: “Reyna is a player that came on the radar a little bit late last year. She's a left-handed hitter and right-handed throwing shortstop. Very athletic and can hit with power. She reminds me a lot of (former Wildcat) Chelsie Mesa. We got in on her and got her to commit last fall and she made what I think was already a good class even better.”
Jessica Harper – Shortstop
Valencia, Calif. (West Ranch H.S.)
Four-year letterwinner at West Ranch High School under coach Bob Shults … Captain of the West Ranch High School team junior and senior year… As a junior, named All-SCV Player of the Year, 2015 Foothill Player of the Year, Division 1 All CIF Southern Section First team, Daily News All First Team and Cal Sports first-team All-State … Hit .519 on the season with seven home runs and a slugging percentage of .898 with 56 hits, the most hits in the Division 1 Southern Section of the Northern Region … Three-year captain of the So Cal Choppers under head coach Dean Fausett … Named an academic scholar athlete with a GPA above 3.5 throughout high school.
Why Arizona? “I chose to play softball at the University of Arizona because of the school's winning tradition and great coaching staff. My goal is to win a national championship and I know it is possible under Coach Candrea.”
What will she bring to the program?
Jessica says: “The love I have for the game, hard work, and dedication. My desire to succeed and the willingness to go the extra mile to help the team win.”
Coach Candrea says: “Jess is a power hitting shortstop. She's a good athlete. She has played at a very high level for a lot of years and I think has the potential to be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. She has really good hands and can definitely supply a lot of power. She's going to be an RBI person.”
Malia Martinez – Infielder
Poway, Calif. (Poway H.S.)
First-team all-league performer at Poway High School in Poway, Calif. … Named first-team all-CIF as well as underclassmen all-state team … Hit seven home runs while batting .528 and slugging .840 as a junior … Member of the UT San Diego All-Academic Team.
Why Arizona? “I remember visiting with Hillary Edior when we both verbally committed and it was the first and last school I ever visited. I fell in love with the beautiful campus, incredible school spirit, and was absolutely star struck by the players (past and present) and coaches of Arizona's softball program. The idea of growing up watching Coach on TV and then being able to sit across from him and talk about what we had for breakfast was so surreal, and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to spend the next few years in Tucson.”
What will she bring to the program?
Malia says: “Throughout my softball career, probably one of the most important aspects that I have learned is the sense of honor and respect for the game, for your own teammates, and everyone around you. I've learned to play for something greater than myself, and I believe I will be able to continue with this mindset as I enter Arizona's incredible program.”
Coach Candrea says: “Malia has good offensive tools. She's a great kid from San Diego who works extremely hard and will be a great teammate. She's a good player that we're looking forward to getting here.”
Dejah Mulipola – Catcher
Garden Grove, Calif. (Pacifica H.S.)
No. 5 overall recruit (FloSoftball) … Two-time Defensive Player of the Year … First-team all-league and all-county … Won the Div. 1 CIF Championship with Pacifica High School … Hit .450 and led the team with nine RBI during PGF 18U Nationals with the OC Batbusters.
Why Arizona? “I chose Arizona because of the tradition of the softball program along with Coach Candrea and I felt at home while being at the school and in Tucson.”
What will she bring to the program?
Dejah says: “I think I'll bring more versatility to the Arizona softball team. I can play wherever the team needs me to in order to help in any way that I can. I just want to be able to learn from the best.”
Coach Candrea says: “Dejah is a catcher who can play a lot of different positions, she's very athletic. She's a good hitter from Pacifica High School. She caught for the OC Batbusters and won a national championship last year catching Taylor (McQuillin). She's been on our radar for a long time. Good athlete and a good player.”
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