Garza inks first Bulldog recruits in early signing period

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State head coach Linda Garza has signed her first recruits as a Bulldog during the early signing period for the 2017-18 academic year.

"We have a great senior class graduating in the spring who've made a strong impact on Bulldog softball," Garza said. "Our goal is to continue signing great student-athletes who win on and off the field. Our focus is finding coachable players with a strong work ethic, a desire to win, and add power, speed and/or athleticism."

The 'Dogs received National Letters of Intent from outfielder Keala Brown (Tokay High School / Stockton, Calif.) and infielder Hailee Rios (San Marcos High School / Santa Barbara, Calif.).

"Keala brings great speed to the roster and is a triple threat option at the plate," Garza said. "She plays the game hard, takes the extra base and will be exciting to watch grow in her career. Hailee has a solid bat with potential for good power. Her desire to win and work ethic make her Bulldog material."

Keala Brown

Hometown: Stockton, Calif.
Position: Outfield
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Brown comes to Fresno State from Tokay High School, where she played her junior and senior years, St. Mary's High School, where she played her freshman and sophomore years, and the San Jose Sting.

During her freshman year of high school in 2014, she led the San Joaquin Section Division I with 45 runs and 27 stolen bases and was named second-team All-Area and second-team All-Tri-City Athletic League (TCAL). In her sophomore year in 2015, she led TCAL with 22 stolen bases. Following her junior year in 2016, Brown was named first-team All-TCAL.

"I chose Fresno State because of the fan support, facilities, and how important academics are to the school," Brown said.

She was also recruited by Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, CSUN, UCLA and Utah.

Hailee Rios

Hometown: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Position: Infield
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Rios comes to Fresno State from San Marcos High School and Firecrackers-Redmond (2014-16), which is based out of Agoura Hills, Calif.

During her freshman, sophomore and junior years in high school, she was named first-team All-Channel League, first-team All-County and San Marcos Varsity MVP all three years. She was also named her team's co-captain in 2016.

Other notable accolades include being named a Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Honorable Mention all three years and a McDonald's Athlete of the Week various times.

During her freshman year in 2014, she led the league as a pitcher with 188 strikeouts in 125 innings pitched and led the league in batting, posting a .523 batting average, .571 on-base percentage, six home runs and 35 RBIs. In her sophomore year in 2016, she led the league in batting, posting a .523 batting average, .590 on-base percentage, nine home runs and 33 RBIs.

Her career stats through her first three years of high school include a 1.92 ERA, 406 strikeouts in 277 innings pitched, .455 batting average, .515 on-base percentage, 18 home runs and 87 RBIs.

"I chose Fresno State because of the agriculture program, which has always been very important to me," Rios said. "Fresno State also has a very competitive softball program, which I've always wanted. The coaches are really amazing and it feels like a family. They made me feel like I really belong at Fresno State."

Rios was also recruited by Cal State Long Beach, LMU, North Dakota State and Urbana University.

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Garza inks first Bulldog recruits in early signing period

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