SBCC’s Kailey Snyder, the Southern Cal softball Pitcher of the Year, accepted a scholarship from Colorado State on Wednesday. The former St. Joseph High standout signed her letter-of-intent during a press conference at the Sports Pavilion.
“When I flew out there, I fell in love with the school and the coaching staff,” she said. “I only see good things coming out of this school and this program.”
Snyder, who started playing at age 8, said competing in Div. 1 softball is a “dream come true.” Colorado State is an NCAA Division 1 school in Fort Collins, Colo., that competes in the Mountain West Conference.
Snyder earned All-American honors and was the WSC Gold Pitcher of the Year for the Vaqueros, who recorded the finest season in school history. They went 31-7 overall, won the WSC title with a 16-2 mark and earned a Southern Cal Regional berth for the first time since 2006.
They won 21 of their first 23 games, including upsets of the state’s No. 1 and No. 4 teams, and set a school record with a 12-game winning streak.
“We had such a small team (11 players) that we became close and we worked well together,” said Snyder, who credits SBCC with preparing her academically for the next level. “We didn’t want to let each down and knew we had a lot to prove.”
Snyder was 27-4 in the regular season with a 0.94 ERA and 233 strikeouts, the second-highest total in California. She had 14 shutouts and allowed two hits or less in 13 games.
On March 22, she set a school record with 15 Ks against Moorpark. In April, she pitched a no-hitter and a perfect game in back-to-back outings.
Snyder was also solid at the plate, leading the WSC Gold Division in batting with a .478 average. She had two home runs and 21 RBIs.
“Kailey Snyder is one of the best pitchers we’ve ever had at City College,” said 13th-year head coach Paula Congleton, the Southern Cal Coach of the Year. “She’s a wonderful young woman who will do many great things in life.
“She has great drive and a passion for the game.”
SBCC was 53-21 during Snyder’s two-year career. She finished with a 1.12 ERA with a school-record 319 strikeouts and 16 shutouts. At the plate, she batted .410 in 65 games with 12 doubles, four homers and 34 RBIs.
Four other Vaqueros hope to play at the four-year level next year. Shortstop Laura Cannon, the WSC Player of the Year, will attend UC Davis with her twin sister, Joan, while outfielder/pitcher Nicole Adair is going to Cal State East Bay. Third baseman Lisa Zeitlin hopes to make the San Diego State squad as a walk-on.
Congrats Kailey…you had a fabulous year. Best of luck and success in Colorado!