COD Softball: A Bright Future

Armed with a strong group of fresh Roadrunner recruits, the COD coaching staff is excited for the future.

The Roadrunners will return to the diamond 690 days after their last game, when the Spring sport season was abruptly cancelled by the CCCAA on March 13, 2020 to stem the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Roadrunners Head Coach Garett Estrin is building something special for his student-athletes... a strong support system that ensures success in the classroom with the goal of getting a degree.

The recruiting process was very different for this coming season as the Roadrunners coaching staff held a virtual signing via Zoom. Coach Estrin continues to keep in close contact with his team on a weekly basis monitoring each student-athletes' mental and physical well-being.

Below the list of COD's latest recruits:

Jazmine Lara – Palm Springs High School. Lara is coming to COD from the PSHS Indians as a Pitcher & middle infielder. She was the starting pitcher for PSHS in the CIF 1st Round. In the Spring 2021 COVID-19 shortened Senior season Lara played in 17 games leading the team in walks, was third in runs scored with 18 and third on the team in runs batted in with 14. The Indians finished 2021 in 2nd place team in Desert Empire League play with a record of 12-3 and 13-5 overall. On the mound she started 13 games, pitching in 15, with 86 2/3 innings pitched and 51 strikeouts, finishing the year with a 3.39 ERA. She also earned 2nd team All-DEL Honors. (Coaches Assessment: Lara will definitely bolster the Roadrunners pitching staff, bringing years of pitching experience and a very competitive nature from her travel ball and high school teams. Coach Estrin has had the opportunity to see her mature as a player ever since she started pitching way back in her early years of Softball as U10 player. Lara is a hard-working, smart Softball player, that our staff looks forward to working with. A quote from her travel ball coach Tony Rodrigues, "Jaz, refuses to lose, plays every pitch like it is the final out and she is a solid team leader.")

Desiree Huazanois - Coachella Valley High School, Thermal. Huazanois coming to COD from the CVHS Mighty Arabs, playing 2nd Base and as a Left Fielder. In her Spring 2021 Covid-19 shortened Senior season Desiree played in 20 games, batted .500 with 8 RBI's & tied for team lead with 2 Triples was 3rd on the team in on base percentage with a .639%, second on the team getting hit by 5 pitches. CVHS was 19-1 overall and 14-0 in Desert Valley League as League Champs. Huazanois also earned 2nd team All-DVL honors. (Coaches Assessment: CVHS Varsity Softball Coach Paul Salow says "Huazanois has a good attitude, she is a good teammate and is always willing to listen and work hard." Those are great qualities COD looks for in working with our future Roadrunners.)

Jaliana Davidson - Rancho Mirage High School. Davidson coming to COD from the RMHS Rattlers, having played infield, outfield & catcher. In the Spring 2021, Covid-19 shortened Senior season, Davidson played in 17 games, getting to plate 53 times for the Rattlers. RMHS was 7-11 overall and 6-9 in Desert Empire League play taking 4th. (Coaches Assessment: "I see that Davidson will be able to give us depth in multiple positions, she is very athletic" (having lettered in 3 Varsity sports), and is a good team player from my past experiences coaching Davidson when she was younger.)

Trinity & Faithe Dudra - Yucca Valley High School. The Dudra twins are coming to COD from the YVHS Trojans, Trinity is a right handed pitcher and outfielder and was a 2nd team All-Desert Valley League. Faithe was an Honorable Mention in the DVL last season as a first baseman.

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information.