Fresno State head softball coach Linda Garza announced on Nov. 13 that the program has signed six future Bulldogs, according to a Fresno State Athletics news release.

Each of the newest Bulldogs signed their national letters of intent on Wednesday, which was the first day of the early signing period for the class of 2020. All six will join the team as freshmen for the 2020-2021 academic year, and none will have to leave the state of California to do so.

The following three of the six future Bulldogs are Valley products: Avery Lawley, a catcher from Buchanan High School located in Clovis, California; Liliana Mejia, an outfielder from Ripon High School located in Manteca, California; and Makenna Russell, a catcher and infielder from Bear Creek High School located in Stockton, California.­

Lawley was named the Central Section offensive player of the year in 2018 and 2019 and was named defensive player of the year in 2017. Meijia was named 2019’s Trans-Valley league MVP, the Manteca Bulletin all-area softball MVP and honored with an all-city selection.­

Russell was sidelined during the 2019 season, however, she has been an impact player for her team. She was named the San Joaquin Athletic Association (SJAA) Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman and was SJAA Co-Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.

For the other signees, Mackenna Steele is an infielder from Calaveras High School in Valley Springs, California, who comes off a junior year campaign where she was named Female Athlete of the Year and second-team all-league selection out of the Mother Lode League.­

Cassidy West will be making the trip from San Diego to the Valley to join the rest of the signees. West attends Mission Bay High School and is a three-time City League MVP right handed pitcher, who has a career 0.86 ERA.

The last signee also comes from Southern California, Ahi Mattson is an outfielder from Alta Loma High school located in Alta Loma, California. The team captain outfielder is a three-time All-Palomares League selection and a three-time offensive MVP selection.