Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State Softball Signs Three In Early Period
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Long Beach, Calif. - Kim Sowder and Long Beach State softball are excited to announce the commitments of Devyn Magnett, Aniesa Maulupe, and Jessica Flores who will join the Beach in 2016.
"It's not a big class, but one that will have an impact immediately," stated head coach Kim Sowder.
Devyn Magnett is entering her senior year at Cathedral Catholic High School in Del Mar, Calif., where she has been the three-time Pitcher of the Year in the Western League, leading the Dons to a trio of Western League championships, three straight CIF Division I finals appearances and one state title.
"Devyn will be a great addition to our pitching staff," Sowder said. "Her style of pitching complements that of our returning pitchers, and she will give us a great option in the circle."
A first-team All-CIF selection as a sophomore, Magnett posted a 0.49 ERA that season. Over three seasons at Cathedral Catholic, Magnett has struck out 262 batters, picking up 54 wins with a 1.02 ERA.
Coming to the Beach the season after the graduation of senior power hitter Darian Tautalafua, Long Beach State will add another big bat graduating from Carson High School in Aniesa Maulupe.
"Aniesa has a ton of power and is a very solid third baseman. She has the ability to be a big RBI producer for us, noted Sowder. "I really like her presence at the plate, and her ability to come through in the clutch."
No moment was more clutch for Maulupe than when she hit a pair of home runs against Chatsworth to help lead Carson to an 8-4 win in the City Section Finals of the CIF playoffs. In three seasons at Carson, Maulupe has hit 29 home runs, and has hit no lower than .495 in her first three seasons in high school.
The final addition for the Beach is a tremendous two-way junior college transfer in Jessica Flores. "Jessica is an intense competitor, who can pitch, play the outfield, and has good power and speed at the plate," said Sowder. "Her athleticism and maturity will be a big asset to our program."
Flores was recently named the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year as a freshman. Her .524 batting average was third in the nation, while her 1.089 slugging percentage led all junior college players.
The Riverside, Calif. native also impressed in the circle, posting a 20-3 overall record with a 1.35 ERA. Her juco career comes on the heels of four seasons at Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, where she was a first-team All-League selection as a senior.
The 2016 49ers will begin their season in February, while this trio joins the Beach for the 2017 campaign.
