Long Beach State University Athletics
Photo by: Alex Honeycutt
Softball Adds Five For 2021
11/21/2019 1:27:00 PM | Softball
Long Beach State inks five incoming freshmen in the fall signing period.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Kim Sowder and the Long Beach State softball coaching staff have announced the commitments of five incoming freshmen who are slated to join the program in 2021.
With the class, Long Beach State didn't have to look far, recruiting five Southern California players. "This is the most local group we've ever had," said Sowder. "We're trying to get more local kids, get the top talent from Long Beach and the surrounding areas to stay here, and this group certainly accomplishes that which is great."
Cassie Camou, 5-5, 3B/UTL, Lakewood, Calif. (Lakewood HS)
Cassie Camou has starred for three seasons at Lakewood High School, as the corner infielder has showcased power and consistency for the Lancers. A three-time All-Moore League selection, Camou earned first-team honors as a sophomore and a junior. Hitting .308 with six home runs as a sophomore, Camou improved in her last full season, batting .378 with 10 home runs, six triples and four doubles. Playing club for Firecrackers, Camou also helped her team finish in fifth place at the PGF Nationals last year.
Sowder on Camou:
"Cassie brings defensive versatility with her ability to play both in the infield and outfield and has a very strong arm. She has an explosive bat, which will add a lot of power to our offense and I can see her driving in a lot of runs for the Beach."
Sophia Fernandez, 5-6, P/1B, Torrance, Calif. (South Torrance HS)
Sophia Fernandez is a two-way player from South Torrance High School, where she has been a force for three seasons. A three-time first-team all-league selection, Fernandez led South Torrance to a CIF Division V championship, and has sparked a rapid rise for the program. That culminated in an incredible season last year where the team won the CIF Division II championship behind the efforts of Fernandez, who was recognized as the league MVP as well as the Daily Breeze All-Area Player of the Year. In three seasons, Fernandez is batting .390 and has driven in 77 RBI, while striking out 265 batters and recording a 1.59 ERA as a junior.
Sowder on Fernandez:
"We've been watching her for the last three years, and it's exciting to see how much she grows each time we see her pitch. She's extremely competitive, and her natural left-handed movement and ability to mix speeds makes her so affective and gives her a ton of upside. She also swings a strong and consistent bat which will allow her to contribute offensively."
Tiffany Iliff, 5-3, UTL, Riverside, Calif. (Martin Luther King HS)
A versatile athlete out of Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, Iliff has twice led her team to the CIF playoffs. Iliff is able to play multiple positions, but has primarily played shortstop for the Wolves and for her Firecrackers club team.
Sowder on Iliff:
"Tiffany was our first recruit of this class and was a big building block. Coming to Long Beach State was a dream of hers and we are just as happy to have her. She consistently puts together competitive and productive at-bats, and I can see her contributing for us offensively right way. Defensively she has versatility which gives us many options."
Sinclair Lawhorn, 5-9, 1B, Long Beach, Calif. (Wilson HS)
A local product out of Wilson High School in Long Beach, Sinclair Lawhorn is an excellent hitter who has starred for three seasons for the Bruins. A three-time All-Moore League selection, last season Lawhorn was the Co-Player of the Year as well as the Offensive Player of the Year. Earning All-CIF Honors as a junior, Lawhorn hit .505 after hitting over .400 in her first two seasons at Wilson.
Sowder on Lawhorn:
"She's a very good defensive first baseman, and has a smooth and consistent swing from the left side. We feel her work ethic and maturity will translate well to the college game, and she can develop into an impact player for us."
Lilyanna Martinez, 5-5, UTL, Cypress, Calif. (Pacifica HS)
Primarily playing as an outfielder, Lilyanna Martinez is a three-time all-league selection at Pacifica High School. In addition to her time with Pacifica, Martinez has had a successful club career with Batbusters, winning the PGF championship in 2015 and finishing as runners-up in 2017 in addition to winning the Colorado Fourth of July Triple Crown Sports Tournament championship last summer.
Sowder on Martinez:
"Lily is the full package, equally talented with her offense and defense. She is one of the fastest players we've recruited during my time here. Defensively she covers so much ground both in the infield and outfield and possesses a very strong arm. Offensively she has good pop, consistency and speed. She's extremely competitive, and has played on a lot of championship teams which brings that mindset we are looking for here at the Beach."
Before the group arrives, Long Beach State will still have an exciting 2020 season to enjoy, beginning on February 7 as the Beach will once again participate in the Puerto Vallarta Collegiate Challenge to kick off the season.
With the class, Long Beach State didn't have to look far, recruiting five Southern California players. "This is the most local group we've ever had," said Sowder. "We're trying to get more local kids, get the top talent from Long Beach and the surrounding areas to stay here, and this group certainly accomplishes that which is great."
Cassie Camou, 5-5, 3B/UTL, Lakewood, Calif. (Lakewood HS)
Cassie Camou has starred for three seasons at Lakewood High School, as the corner infielder has showcased power and consistency for the Lancers. A three-time All-Moore League selection, Camou earned first-team honors as a sophomore and a junior. Hitting .308 with six home runs as a sophomore, Camou improved in her last full season, batting .378 with 10 home runs, six triples and four doubles. Playing club for Firecrackers, Camou also helped her team finish in fifth place at the PGF Nationals last year.
Sowder on Camou:
"Cassie brings defensive versatility with her ability to play both in the infield and outfield and has a very strong arm. She has an explosive bat, which will add a lot of power to our offense and I can see her driving in a lot of runs for the Beach."
Sophia Fernandez, 5-6, P/1B, Torrance, Calif. (South Torrance HS)
Sophia Fernandez is a two-way player from South Torrance High School, where she has been a force for three seasons. A three-time first-team all-league selection, Fernandez led South Torrance to a CIF Division V championship, and has sparked a rapid rise for the program. That culminated in an incredible season last year where the team won the CIF Division II championship behind the efforts of Fernandez, who was recognized as the league MVP as well as the Daily Breeze All-Area Player of the Year. In three seasons, Fernandez is batting .390 and has driven in 77 RBI, while striking out 265 batters and recording a 1.59 ERA as a junior.
Sowder on Fernandez:
"We've been watching her for the last three years, and it's exciting to see how much she grows each time we see her pitch. She's extremely competitive, and her natural left-handed movement and ability to mix speeds makes her so affective and gives her a ton of upside. She also swings a strong and consistent bat which will allow her to contribute offensively."
Tiffany Iliff, 5-3, UTL, Riverside, Calif. (Martin Luther King HS)
A versatile athlete out of Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, Iliff has twice led her team to the CIF playoffs. Iliff is able to play multiple positions, but has primarily played shortstop for the Wolves and for her Firecrackers club team.
Sowder on Iliff:
"Tiffany was our first recruit of this class and was a big building block. Coming to Long Beach State was a dream of hers and we are just as happy to have her. She consistently puts together competitive and productive at-bats, and I can see her contributing for us offensively right way. Defensively she has versatility which gives us many options."
Sinclair Lawhorn, 5-9, 1B, Long Beach, Calif. (Wilson HS)
A local product out of Wilson High School in Long Beach, Sinclair Lawhorn is an excellent hitter who has starred for three seasons for the Bruins. A three-time All-Moore League selection, last season Lawhorn was the Co-Player of the Year as well as the Offensive Player of the Year. Earning All-CIF Honors as a junior, Lawhorn hit .505 after hitting over .400 in her first two seasons at Wilson.
Sowder on Lawhorn:
"She's a very good defensive first baseman, and has a smooth and consistent swing from the left side. We feel her work ethic and maturity will translate well to the college game, and she can develop into an impact player for us."
Lilyanna Martinez, 5-5, UTL, Cypress, Calif. (Pacifica HS)
Primarily playing as an outfielder, Lilyanna Martinez is a three-time all-league selection at Pacifica High School. In addition to her time with Pacifica, Martinez has had a successful club career with Batbusters, winning the PGF championship in 2015 and finishing as runners-up in 2017 in addition to winning the Colorado Fourth of July Triple Crown Sports Tournament championship last summer.
Sowder on Martinez:
"Lily is the full package, equally talented with her offense and defense. She is one of the fastest players we've recruited during my time here. Defensively she covers so much ground both in the infield and outfield and possesses a very strong arm. Offensively she has good pop, consistency and speed. She's extremely competitive, and has played on a lot of championship teams which brings that mindset we are looking for here at the Beach."
Before the group arrives, Long Beach State will still have an exciting 2020 season to enjoy, beginning on February 7 as the Beach will once again participate in the Puerto Vallarta Collegiate Challenge to kick off the season.
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