Benicia High softball, baseball players sign college letters of intent

For Benicia High School softball and baseball seniors, their high school careers are entering the seventh inning. Their college careers just led off the top of the first. Three Panther softball and four baseball student-athletes signed their letters of intent Thursday afternoon to play and study at their respective colleges of choice.

Benicia softball player Emma French is heading to San Diego State, while Ava Rojas is going to the University of San Diego. Vanessa Smith signed with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Meanwhile, Myles Cooper signed with Chico State and Peyton Rowles chose San Jose State.



Nash Rubins and Andrew Murphy both decided to sign with Bemidji State University in Minnesota. Rubins and Murphy will also be roommates at the school. Before each of the seven athletes put pen to paper to start their new chapters of their lives, Benicia head softball coach Kristin Grubbs along with head baseball coach Ryan Richardson talked about each of the athletes.

“Look, in order for these girls to get where they’re going they have to put in the work,” Grubbs said. “You have to do what others aren’t willing to do. I’m super proud of all three of you (the softball players).

” Richardson also had kind words for the group. “All four of these players are loved, and all seven of the athletes here today hang out with each other all the time,” Richardson said. “They’re all good people.

” They’re all stellar players as well. French, a starting shorts.