Malena Padilla to Play Softball

For New Mexico State

 California Grapettes Gold Junior, Malena Padilla verbally committed

 to attend and play softball at New Mexico State. Malena accepted

 the offer after taking an official visit this Fall 10/3/2009.

 The New Mexico State Coaching Staff are excited to have this

 power-hitting outfielder join their team! They expect she will have

 a huge impact on their team in her Freshman Year.

 I chose New Mexico State University because right when I stepped

 on their campus, I felt welcome by everyone!

 Coach Rudolph and Coach Heifner have great academic support.

 Their campus and facilites are wonderful. I'm really ecxited to be Aggie!

 I chose New Mexico State University over San Jose State,

 & University Of Las Vegas                              

Mya Romero to Play Softball

 for UC San Diego 

  Ca Grapettes Gold senior, Mya Romero verbally committed

 to attend and play softball at UC San Diego.

 Mya accepted the offer after her official visit this fall.

 UCSD coaching see Mya as a very impact player her freshman year.

 UC San Diego competes in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

 I chose UC San Diego because it was my top choice.

 It has unbeatable academics, a great campus and surrounding area,

and a strong softball program. The coaches made me feel like a part

of a family and the girls were all welcoming. I cannot wait to be a

Triton! Mya had a tough choice to make, other Schools of interest

include:Santa Clara, Dominican, Cal Baptist, Claremont

McKenna,Wellesley, Puget Sound, Colorado School of Mines

and St. Mary's.

 Emily Caruthers to Play Softball

 for Columbia University  

 CA Grapettes Gold senior, Emily Caruthers, verbally committed

 to attend and play softball at Columbia University.

 Emily accepted the offer while on an official visit 10/3/2009.

 Columbia coaching staff sees her to come in and be an impact

 player as a freshman. Columbia competes in the Ivy Conference.

 A few words from Emily: OK…I decided to attend Columbia.

 Who wouldn’t want to play Division 1 softball at a world-renowned

 University in the greatest city in the world?

 There is no place I would rather be.

 Emily was visibly impressed with the direction of Columbia’s program

 and the caliber of players being recruited.

 She also liked the campus and athletic facilities.

 Emily had previously taken an official visit to Princeton 

 She also had offers from Penn, UCLA, and UC San Diego & Boise State.

Dennis Gomes is pleased to announce the commitment of CA Grapettes Gold 2010 IF/OF, Christina Montoya to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Christina committed to Coach Pete Manarino, February 19, 2009. The Rebels play in the highly competitive Mountain West Conference.

When asked why she chose UNLV, Chris explained, “I picked UNLV because Coach Pete and Coach Panita made me feel like a member of their family the moment I stepped on the campus. It felt like home away from home. Also UNLV'S academic support for it's student athletes is incredible.”

Chris chose UNLV over Cal Poly, Oregon State, UOP, University of Nevada-Reno, and San Jose State.

Dennis Gomes is pleased to announce the commitment ofCA Grapettes Gold 2010 P/IF, Keri Ball to New Mexico State University. Kericommitted to Coach Kathy Rodolph, February 3, 2009. The Aggies play in thehighly competitive Western Athletic Conference.

When asked why she chose New Mexico State, Keriexplained, “I chose New MexicoState University because I felt very comfortable with the school,coaches and players during my visit.  The academic support andthe facilities at NMSU are outstanding.   Coach Rodolph and herstaff are building something great at NMSU and I wanted to be part ofit."

Keri chose New Mexico State over WesternKentucky, UC Santa Barbara, Indiana University, Universityof Pennsylvania, UOP, and the University ofNevada-Reno. 

CA GrapettesGold head coach Dennis Gomes is very proud to announce 2011 middle infielder,Jessica Vest, has verbally accepted a scholarship to attend and play softballat the University of Oklahoma. The Sooners compete in the highlycompetitive Big 12 Conference and are coached by Patty Gasso.

Jessica is afirst year member of the Grapettes Gold after a successful stay on the 16uGrapettes. When asked why she chose to be a Sooner, Jessica said,"Oklahoma was my # 1 choice. Oklahoma was a home away from home.  Ifelt so comfortable walking around on the campus. I loved Coach Gasso and herStaff.  It was very easy for me to see myself playing out on the OU field.I know that I will receive a great education there."

Jessica is athree sport athlete at San Benito High School in Hollister, CA. Along withsoftball, she plays volleyball and basketball. In 2008 Jessica was a TCAL 2ndteam All League selection in softball while leading her team to a leaguechampionship. She was the MVP of her volleyball team and selected asfemale athlete of the year. Jessica was also in attendance at the prestigiousWest Coast All Stars Softball Camp this fall.

CA Grapettes Gold Head Coach Dennis Gomes is proud to announce, Alyssa Tiumalu (2010 C/3B) has accepted a scholarship offer and verbally committed to play softball for UCLA. The UCLA Bruins compete in the Pac 10 and are coached by Kelly Inouye-Perez.

When asked why she chose UCLA, Alyssa said, "The Bruin family is all about tradition. I loved the campus and that the school is not only a great athletic school, but a great academic school as well."

In 2008, Alyssa was named co-MVP of her HS school team, leading Pleasant Grove to its first ever section playoffs. Alyssa is a two time Adidas Future top-100 selection, 2008 Cal-Hi Sports all-state underclassman.

2008 Sacramento Bee all metro-selection, and a two-time Delta River League All-league selection. Alyssa joined the CA Grapettes Gold as a freshman and helped lead the Grapettes to ASA Gold Nationals in 2008. Alyssa chose UCLA over Stanford, Northwestern, Fresno State, Oklahoma State, Notre Dame, and BYU.

CA Grapettes Gold Head Coach Dennis Gomes is proud to announce that senior, Tegan Schmidt, has accepted a scholarship offer and verbally committed to play softball for Stanford University. The Cardinal are coached by John Rittman and compete in the Pac 10 conference.

Tegan considered several other schools, including Harvard, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC San Diego. It was the "whole package" that led her to choose Stanford: the academics are excellent and the softball is top tier. Tegan attended a number of skills clinics and camps at Stanford. What struck her was the level of intensity and focus among the players and coaches in an environment that had a lot of smiles and encouragement.

Tegan joined the Grapettes last fall (2007) and led the team in batting average and OBP during the fall and again this summer. Tegan is a slapper with power who helped lead the Grapettes to Gold Nationals in Oklahoma City. Defensively, she plays second base and outfield.

At Whitney High School in Rocklin, CA she has been voted MVP by her teammates in each of the three years she's played there. She is also her high school team's #1 pitcher and had the most complete games in the state last season, according to MaxPreps. Tegan, who is ranked first in her high school class, will study "something science" -sshe loves understanding how things work - and then go on to graduate or professional school.

CA Grapettes Gold senior pitcher, Alaina Shull, signed a national letter of intenton November 15, 2007, to attend and play softball at California StateUniversity at Northridge. The Matadors are coached by Barbara Jordan, andcompete in the Big West.

Alaina was considering several schools, including Arkansas, New Mexico, and Azusa Pacific.  It was Alaina's visit to the school that sealed the deal. Alaina was impressed with the direction of the softball program.

"I loved the team chemistry. I also have a chance to come in and pitch, not just get my feet wet," Alaina explained.

Alaina was dominant this fall posting a 13-1 record and a 0.87 ERA. She has played for the Grapettes Gold since her freshman year.

CA Grapettes Gold senior infielder, Alexa Rivera, signed a national letter of intent on November 19th, 2007, to attend and play softball at the University of Pacific.The Tigers are coached by Brian Kolze, and compete in the Big West.

Alexa joined the Grapettes this fall and was an instant contributor. Alexa hit .462 with a .563 OBP. She was also solid defensively, playing three defensive positions in the infield.

Alexa chose Pacific over Long Island University and UC Davis. Alexa loved the Tiger coaching staff and knew UOP was the school for her. The campus and the choice of programs were key factors in her decision.

CA Grapettes Gold senior, Andrea Bott, verbally committed to attend and play softball at San Jose State University. Andrea accepted the offer while on an official visit December 14, 2008. The Spartans are coached by ASA hall of famer Pete Turner. Assistant coach Vicky Galindo is a current member of the 2008 USA national team. San Jose State competes in the Western Athletic Conference.

Andrea led the Grapettes Gold this fall in hits and runs while hitting .440.

Andrea was visibly impressed with the direction of the San Jose State's program and the caliber of players being recruited. She also liked the campus and athletic facilities.

CA Grapettes Gold junior infielder/pitcher, Lea Cavestany, verbally committed to attendand play softball at Oregon State University. The Beavers, coached by Kirk Walker, compete in the Pac-10. She verballed to the school August2, 2007.

Lea was considering several schools, including UCLA, California, Washington, and DePaul.

When asked why Lea chose Oregon State she answered, " I chose Oregon State because of the amazing coaches and everything that the school had to offer. The coaches were great! They were very nice and family oriented, which made me more attracted to them. When they talked to me, they seemed like the type of coaches who were fun, but also knew when it was time to get to business."

Lea joined the Grapettes this fall and tied for the lead in HRs. She also had a .733 slugging percentage. Lea has pitched and played stellar defense at shortstop and third base.

Lea loves math and wants to major in Industrial Engineering.

CA Grapettes Gold senior outfielder, Tiare Jennings, signed a national letter of intent on November 16, 2007, to attend and play softball at New Mexico State University. The Aggies are coached by Kathy Rudolph, and compete in Western Athletic Conference.

Tiare swings a big stick and has been a force offensively for the Grapettes last spring and into this fall season. Tiare hit .492 this fall with an .800 slugging percentage. She also was tied for team lead in HRs.

Tiare chose New Mexico State over Ole Miss, CSU Bakersfield, Utah, CSU Northridge, and Oregon State. Tiare knew she would be an Aggie when she stepped on campus.

Tiare said,"I had a blast on my visit. Everyone was friendly and I could see myself playing there."