Mackenzie Bard Signs NLI to San Jose State

Mackenzie Bard, a pitcher with the fall 2006 and summer 2007 Sorcerer teams, signs a national letter of intent to accept a scholarship to play softball for San Jose State University coached by USA Men’s National Team coach Peter Turner and USA Women’s National Team member Vicky Galindo. A right handed pitcher, Mackenzie was an all-league performer for Napa High School and was selected to the Sacramento Bee’s All-Metro team.

Bard currently plays for the NorCal Shockers.

Congratulations Mackenzie!

Ashley Decker Commits To Cal

Sorcerer sophomore second baseman Ashley Decker has verbally committed to accept a full scholarship to U.C. Berkeley. She gave her commitment to Cal head coach Diane Ninemire following a November 19 unofficial visit.

Maya Burns Signs NLI To Attend Stanford University

In a festive celebration at her home today, Maya Burns signs a NLI to attend Stanford University. Maya, who attends St. Ignatius College Prep. in San Francisco, chose the Cardinal, coached by John Rittman, from a host of schools across the nation who were interested in bringing her into their programs.

Stanford is the right combination of academic excellence and top-echelon softball, she said, and it is actually located closer to her San Mateo home than her high school. Burns loves the opportunity to attend school in the Bay Area, and also cites the coaching staff, softball facility, and chance to play in the Pac 10 as athletic reasons for her selection. And, “It is really hard to beat a Stanford education,” Maya said.

Burns’ offer from Stanford is the result of marked improvements on her part, both in the classroom and on the field. She earned a 4.0 GPA throughout her junior year at one of the region’s strongest academic high schools, achieved a dramatic increase in SAT scores, and became a much more accomplished hitter and receiver.

“We are incredibly proud of Maya for elevating her academics, for vast improvements in her hitting and catching, and for becoming a team leader,” Sorcerer coach Phil Mumma said.

Courtney Moore Signs NLI To Attend Mississippi State University

Sorcerer outfielder Courtney Moore has a lot to smile about. She just signed a National Letter of Intent to accept a full scholarship to attend Mississippi State University and play for the Bulldogs, coached by Jay Miller.

Mississippi State is located in Starkville in the northern portion of the state and is a member of the Southeastern Conference. Last year the Bulldogs posted a 35-27 record, 14-14 in the powerful SEC. They qualified for the NCAA regionals.
Coach Miller, a former fastpitch player, has served as a member of the U.S. National Team selection committe, helping pick our inaugural Olympic team. He coached the American squad that won the 2001 U.S. Cup and the national Elite Team that captured the 2003 Canada Cup. Miller also led this year’s junior national team to the world championship.

“And above all,” Sorcerer coach Phil Mumma said, “he is one of the real gentlemen in the game.” In Moore, Mumma said, MSU gets a powerful hitter and outstanding outfielder. “We are all very proud of Courtney,” he said. “In just one fall with us she has worked hard and achieved so much. She is an outstanding, accomplished and intelligent young lady and richly deserves the full scholarship that she has been awarded.”

Tassarah Weatherly Commits to Boise State

Tassarah Weatherly, Sorcerer senior third baseman-catcher, has given her verbal commitment to accept a scholarship to Boise State University. Weatherly, who joined Sorcerer as a pick-up player for Gold Nationals and remained with the team during the fall, gave her commitment to Broncos head coach Erin Bridges-Thorpe during a Nov. 16-18 official visit.

She will sign her National Letter of Intent on Nov. 20.

‘I loved the school, loved the city – loved everything I experienced during my visit,” Tazz said. “The idea of playing in a brand-new college program is also really exciting.”

Boise State, a national football power, recently added softball as a varsity sport and will begin competition during the 2009 season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference. And, yes, Boise State will have a blue turf outfield in the softball stadium it will soon construct, matching the unique look of its football playing surface.

Weatherly attends St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, Calif., where she is student body president and softball league MVP.

“We are proud of Tazz for earning a scholarship during the brief time she has been with us,” Sorcerer coach Phil Mumma said. “She had an impressive fall season.”

Weatherly joins a group of seven other players who have verbally committed or signed a National Letter of Intent while playing for Sorcerer during 2007.