Hawai'i softball head coach
Bob Coolen announced the signing of four players for the 2022 spring season. All four are high school signees, with three from California and one from Utah. It is the second year in a row Coolen has inked five recruits during the first week of the signing period.
"Our Class of 2021 has two position players and two pitchers," Coolen said. "A goal of ours as a coaching staff once we started our recruiting efforts for this class. We succeeded in getting a lot of good hitters and two pitchers that will attack the plate and go after each and every batter."
The five recruits are infielder
Casey Beaulac, right-handed pitcher
Chloe Borges, left-handed pitcher
Brianna Lopez, and catcher/infielder
Izabella Martinez.
The five will play one more season for their respective schools before enrolling at Hawai'i in August of 2021 and playing in the 2022 season.
CASEY BEAULAC
Infielder - La Puente, Calif. - South Hills HS
THE PLAYER: A 5-4 right-handed hitting third-baseman from southern California, Beaulac had the team's second-best batting average at .381 as a sophomore in 2019 with 16 hits and a team-leading 11 RBI. Led South Hills to an 8-2 record in league play in 2019.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Casey is a solid corner position player with a strong arm and quickness that will fit into our program well. She hits for power and will be a force in our lineup. She can also do some pitching if we need her in the circle." - Coolen
CHLOE BORGES
Right-handed pitcher - West Jordan, Utah - Riverton HS
THE PLAYER: Borges played two seasons at Kearns before transferring to Riverton for her final two seasons and as a pitcher in the circle, threw 118.2 innings for Kearns with a 1.71 ERA and 155 strikeouts. In the batters box, hit a combined .545 as a freshman and sophomore for Kearns with 83 RBI and 22 home runs. Hit 13 home runs as a freshman with a gaudy .632 average as a high school rookie.
SCOUTING REPORT: "Chloe is a tenacious individual on the mound, challenging every hitter that she faces. With her ability to throw multiple pitches, she can go after many hitters and set them up well. She is also a good contact hitter with power and will hit in the lineup and play the outfield when she's not pitching." - Coolen
BRIANNA LOPEZ
Left-handed pitcher - Riverside, Calif. - Ramona HS
THE PLAYER: A 5-8 left-handed pitcher, Lopez led Ramona to an 8-1 record with a 0.56 ERA as the only pitcher to appear in a game in 2020 before the season ended. Lopez struck out 106 batters and gave up just one extra-base hit in the nine games she started. As a sophomore in 2019, posted a 0.60 ERA with a 17-2 record and 18 complete games. Struck out 186 batters while limiting opponents to a .156 average against her.
WHY HAWAI'I? "I chose UH because of its diverse student body, the beautiful atmosphere, and the great coaching staff! I am excited to attend a school that has so much to offer in such a beautiful location!"
SCOUTING REPORT: "Bri is that crafty left handed pitcher that all coaches want on their staff. She throws hard and has a multitude of pitches. She is very fluid on the mound and will see a lot of action in the circle." - Coolen
IZABELLA MARTINEZ
Catcher / Infielder - Garden Grove, Calif. - Edison HS
THE PLAYER: A 5-4 catcher and infielder, Martinez helped lead her team to a 7-1 start in 2020 while hitting .583 over eight games as a junior with 14 hits and 7 runs batted in. In a full season as a sophomore, Martinez hit .356 with seven RBI and six doubles and two home runs. Martinez was named the 2018 Newcomer of the Year and 2020 Offensive Player of the Year at her Edison HS.
WHY HAWAI'I? "When I first stepped foot on campus it felt like this was exactly where I was meant to be! I cannot wait to represent Rainbow Wahine for the next four years."
SCOUTING REPORT: "Bella is a right handed catcher that bats left handed, a coach's dream. She is a power hitter that can be a #1 or #4 hitter in your lineup and get the job done. I'm excited about the power that she brings to the plate each and every at bat." - Coolen
