Fresno State Athletics
Softball Lands Two in Early Signing Period
12/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Dec. 3, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State softball head coach Margie Wright announced the signing of two student-athletes to play for the Bulldogs for the 2004 season in Rachael Baker (Temecula, Calif.) and local product Nichole Willis (Clovis, Calif.).
Baker, a 5-9 right-handed infielder/outfielder out of Chaparral High School, is a two-time high school All-American at first base for CHS. Garnering first team all-league honors at catcher her sophomore and junior year, she also was named the league's offensive player of the year as sophomore. She played summer ball for the Orange County Batbusters (Davis).
A 5-8 right-handed catcher out of Clovis High School, Willis also was a high school All-American at catcher/utility for CHS. Picking up all-Valley honors at catcher the past two seasons, Willis also has been a two-time first team all-Tri-River Athletic Conference as a sophomore and junior.
As a senior, she helped CHS to a 38-3 record and a No. 3 national ranking. Hitting .324 with 24 RBI, Willis threw out 12 of 15 would-be basestealers and did not commit an error in 323 total chances. Capturing her second straight high school All-America honors, she has been a three-year starter for a program that has gone 101-20-1 in the last three seasons.
In her junior year, Willis captured first team all-West Region and was selected TRAC Player of the Year. Catching every game as a sophomore, she led the Cougars with eight game-winning RBI while being tops in runs (23), doubles (10), triples (2) and slugging percentage (.454).
The signing of Willis also unites her with her former battery mate in sophomore All-America pitcher Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) and defensive standout and junior second baseman Pam Perez (Fresno, Calif.).
"We have a great duo coming in," said Bulldog head coach Margie Wright, the NCAA's all-time winningest coach. "They both are versatile, physically gifted and dedicated players who love the game.
"I can't wait to see what Rachael does," Wright said. "She has a tremendous amount of raw talent and will soak everything up so quickly. She's going to do so well at this level.
"Nichole will provide immediate help and will be an impact player," Wright added. "She's a smart ballplayer and is so dedicated to the game. She'll be another Bulldog that fans will love to follow during her career."
Fresno State opens its 2003 season February 7-9 at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Tempe, Ariz.
