The DCB Ladyjacks softball team have added a pair of catchers to the roster for the 2020-21 season. Isabel Rodriguez of Las Vegas, Nevada and McKenzie Bales of Glenn Heights, Texas have signed to play for the Ladyjacks.
Rodriguez is a Senior at Coronado High School one of the top high school softball programs in the state. Rodriguez was a Second team All-Star as a Junior in the All-Desert League, one of the top High School Leagues in the western states. She hit .314 her sophomore year and .356 her Junior year on 101 at bats while adding an impressive 29 RBI and 3 steals. She plays her club softball with Impact gold of Las Vegas.
Head Coach Mike Smith watched Rodriguez at games in Las Vegas and was thrilled to add her to the roster. "Isabel is a big time catcher with great speed and a big time bat. She will be one of the top catchers in the NJCAA and we are fortunate she has chosen DCB to continue her softball career with us. She is a really solid 3b as well and gives us a true five tool player! I met with her, her dad and her coach and was so impressed with her attitude and her drive to be successful in the classroom as well as on the field. She is a great addition to our team and a really nice kid!".
Impact Gold Nevada Director of Operations and coach Rodney Detommaso had this to say about Rodriguez. "she's one of the valley's best catchers and has a solid batting average to boot. She will be missed by players and coaches but we're excited to see her play at the college level".
Rodriguez is planning to take Health Sciences with a future in nursing or a related health science field. She was an honor roll student all three years of high school.
She is involved on and off the field with charitable organizations most recently volunteering for the Las Vegas Opportunity Village Santa Run benefitting those with special needs.
McKenzie Bales attends Desota High School in Texas where she pitched and was the team's catcher. In her Junior year she was named the team's top pitcher and MVP. She plays club for Impact Gold 18U where she listed as a C/SS/OF.
"McKenzie is an excellent defensive catcher and can play in the middle infield for us. She is a switch hitter with great speed. She is a really tough out and with her speed she puts a lot of pressure on the defense. What's amazing is that she can bunt for a base hit from both sides of the plate. She is another great addition to our program. She is the leadoff hitter we have been looking for the past few years".
Bales is planning to take psychology and was an honor roll student her Freshman and Junior year.
"I would expect that these two young ladies will see a lot of action behind the dish and in the infield. Playing double headers means you prefer to have two top quality catchers and i think they will be two of the best in the conference", added Smith.
The softball team begins practices January 12th and will play their first games Feb. 1 and 2 in the Minot Dome. The team will be heading to Florida this year with 8 games in Cocoa Beach.