Alex Robben Commits To Cal

Sorcerer first baseman/outfielder Alex Robben has verbally committed to accept a softball scholarship to the University of California-Berkeley.

Robben, a sophomore at Napa High School in Napa, Calif., gave her commitment to Bears head coach Diane Ninemire during a Dec. 10 unofficial visit to the Berkeley campus.For Alex, who is serious about softball andacademics, Cal was a perfect choice. “I love the academic options I will have at Cal,” she said. “Andthe coaches, who I really like, are interested in helping me grow both as a student and as a softball player. Plus, it is close to home and I will be playing on a great team.”

Alex, daughter of Sorcerer 10&U coach Rick Robben and sister of Wisconsin Badger standout Ricci Robben, is aleft-handed hitter with a rare combination of short-game skills and power. A polished bunter/slapper with sub-2.7 speed to first, Alex alsopossesses the power to drive the ball out of the park,which she demonstrated as a member of the Sorcerer 14sand 16s, and as a two-time selectee to the National Futures Camp. That camp brings together the 64 most promising underclassmen in America.

Derek Allister,who organizes the camp with his wife Joanne, said that Robben’s performance at this fall’s event solidified her stature as one of the players at the top of the2010 class.

“Alex has worked hard to achieve her goal, which is toplay in a top-tier program at an academically excellent university,” Sorcerer Gold coach Phil Mumma said. “We are all proud of and excited for her.”

Robben joins Sorcerer teammates Ashley Decker, a 2010second baseman/outfielder who verballed several weeks ago, and Jordan Wallace, an ‘09 infielder who committed last fall, as future Bears. They will join former Sorcerers and current Cal players Valerie Arioto and Marissa Drewrey.

Cal, a member of the powerful Pacific 10 Conference,was the 2002 Women’s College World Series Champion.