LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego softball program is proud to welcome six accomplished scholar-athletes to the team for the 2021-22 season. The incoming class signed their National Letters of Intent and will join the Tritons next fall.
"We have a lot of talent coming into the program with these six scholar-athletes," said Head Coach
Patti Gerckens. "We think the 2021-22 recruiting class will make an impact right away by adding strength to the lineup both offensively and defensively, as well as on the base paths. As a whole, the group will offer triple threat material and enhance the team on all levels."
The six additions include Alexa DeMarse, Jada Cecil, Marissa "Munchie" Hassis, Marissa Fondtain, Morgan Eng, and Reilly Erickson, all hailing from California. The recruiting class features a handful of utility players that will see time in the middle infield and outfield, as well as a dominant right-handed pitcher.
"All individuals are currently competing on high level travel ball teams. Each of them expects the level of competition to improve once getting here and are looking forward to taking on the Big West. We know they are committed to working hard on the field and in the classroom at the Division I level," Gerckens stated.
ALEXA DeMARSE / UTIL / Folsom, Calif. / Folsom HS
Travel Team: LTG Lions – 18U Henderson/Lively
Anticipated Major at UCSD: Political Science
- Team captain (softball 2019, volleyball 2018)
- Folsom HS Softball Coaches' Award (2019), Most Inspiring (2018)
- Led team to first playoff appearance since 2010 and most victories since 2007 (2019)
- Folsom HS Volleyball Most Improved (2017)
- Academic Gold Award (2017-19)
DeMarse on UC San Diego:
"I chose UC San Diego because it's the perfect combination of academics and athletics. UC San Diego is the number one Golden Age University in the world, and the coaches and athletes have built a foundation of success. I am beyond excited for this opportunity to contribute to the Triton legacy."
Gerckens on DeMarse:
"Alexa is going to be an unbelievable utility player for us, seeing time at the corners, middle infield, and possibly behind the plate. She has a very strong bat and we believe she will contribute to our offensive production immediately."
JADA CECIL / RHP / Temecula, Calif. / Temecula Valley HS
Travel Team: Corona Angels – Marty Tyson 18U
Anticipated Major at UCSD: Biology
- Temecula Valley HS Defensive Player of the Year (2018)
- Led team to two DII CIF appearances (2018, 2019)
- Helped Corona Angels to 13th-place finish at PGF Premier (2018)
- Scholar-Athlete Award (2018-19)
- Four-time Honor Roll recipient
Cecil on UC San Diego:
"I chose UC San Diego because it has everything I wanted in a school. I am excited to receive a great education and play for a competitive softball program. I love the atmosphere that the coaches have created and cannot wait to enjoy beautiful La Jolla."
Gerckens on Cecil:
"We are so excited to have Jada join the team. As a right-handed pitcher, from one of the best travel ball organizations in the country, Corona Angels, she will bring velocity and movement to our staff. Jada has a strong presence on the mound and has shown a lot of maturity. We are excited to see great improvement from her over the next four years."
MARISSA "MUNCHIE" HASSIS / MI/OF / Chino Hills, Calif. / Ayala HS
Travel Team: Corona Angels – 18U Slye
Anticipated Major at UCSD: Human Biology
- Led Ayala HS in hits and runs scored at conclusion of shortened 2019-2020 season
- Helped Ayala HS to League Championship, CIF Quarterfinalists (2018-19)
- All-League Honorable Mention (2018-19)
- Attended Chino Hills HS from 2017-18; led JV softball team to an undefeated season and a league championship
- Also played freshman soccer; earned Defensive Player of the Year (2017-18)
- Scholar Athlete (2018-19)
- National Honor Society
Hassis on UC San Diego:
"I chose UC San Diego because I wanted a top-notch education close to home and near the beach, that would help lead me to reaching my goals in the medical field. I was able to find that
and a phenomenal coaching staff that made me feel at home."
Gerckens on Hassis:
"Munchie is an all-around player and will bring tremendous speed to us as a lefty slapper. She can play the middle infield or the outfield and will cover a lot of ground at any position. She has shown that she thrives under pressure and I think she will improve our team in all areas."
MARISSA FONDTAIN / MI / Clovis, Calif. / Buchanan HS
Travel Team: Suncats – Jimenez 18U
Anticipated Major at UCSD: Biology
- Four-year varsity starter; .314 BA, .426 OBP (2018-19)
- Two-time team MVP
- Helped team to Valley Champion Runners-up (2018)
- Four-time Principal's Honor Roll recipient
- High Honor Roll
Fondtain on UC San Diego:
"I chose UC San Diego because I love the coaching staff and their application of the importance of family. I love the location because it keeps me close to my brother. The education I will receive will help me further my career opportunities in the field of medicine. With these opportunities, I hope I am able to give back and help the people in my community as I am blessed with such support from my family, coaches, and friends."
Gerckens on Fondtain:
"Marissa has great range at shortstop with a gun for an arm and we are excited to see her compete for a middle infield position. We have already seen lots of improvement from her and we believe she will be a big RBI contributor for us."
MORGAN ENG / MI/OF / Glendale, Calif. / Cresenta Valley HS
Travel Team: Bownet 18U Peek / Menefee
Anticipated Major at UCSD: TBD
- Team captain (2019, 2020)
- First-Team All-Pacific League (2019)
- Cresenta Valley HS Most Stolen Bases; .517 BA (2019)
- Led team to DIII CIF-Southern Section Championship (2019)
- Athletic Scholar Award (2018-20)
Eng on UC San Diego:
"Attending the UC San Diego skills camp had a huge impact on my decision. Watching how the players ran the camp and the bond they had with one another, I knew right away that I wanted to be part of the team. Hearing their jokes and laughter created a fun, family environment. The positive coaching style of Coach Gerckens and her staff was another factor that really stood out to me."
Gerckens on Eng:
"Morgan will bring a lot of heart and speed to the program. She is a lefty slapper but can hit for power or drop a bunt. Watching her on the base paths is exciting. It's been great to see her grow over time and we are thrilled to get her on the roster."
REILLY ERICKSON / OF / San Diego, Calif. / Scripps Ranch HS
Travel Team: Athletics – Mercado 18U Ornelas
Anticipated Major at UCSD: Management Science / Cognitive Science
- 2020 Extra Inning Softball Ranked Player - Top 100 Outfielder
- Helped Athletics to 2020 PGF Fall Invitational Champion
- Also played varsity soccer for Scripps Ranch HS; led team to 2018 CIF Section Champions and a CIF State appearance
Erickson on UC San Diego:
"I chose UC San Diego because it is an environment that breeds success. With some of the brightest minds and best athletes in the world, UC San Diego is a place that will challenge me every day, both athletically and academically. The coaching staff includes some of the best that have proven to develop scholar-athletes into future leaders. It will be an honor to play for them."
Gerckens on Erickson:
"Reilly is a very strong, courageous, and mature player. We always love having local San Diego athletes on the team. She is a true outfielder and it's been a lot of fun getting to see her develop her skills over the last couple of years."
In 2020, UC San Diego's final campaign as a NCAA Division II program, the Tritons finished with a 21-8 overall record and went 12-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Ultimately, the season was cut short due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The blue and gold have begun a four-year reclassification period to Division I. UC San Diego will compete as a member of the Big West Conference beginning this season.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions III and II and helped guide more than 1,300 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
