Four Pueblo softball products sign with CSU-Pueblo

PUEBLO, Colo. - Four of the top softball players to ever come out of the city of Pueblo have chosen to stay home, signing their letters of intent to play softball with CSU-Pueblo.

Three Central Wildcats, pitcher Kayla Dionese and middle infielders Amber Pacheco and Desiree Carrillo, well as South High School product, Lindsey Marmolejo, have become the newest members of the ThunderWolves softball family.

Marmolejo, a third baseman who helped the Colts to a berth in the state quarterfinals, was one of the Colts' biggest bats, boasting a .460 batting average.

The trio from Central helped to power the Wildcats to the brink of a state championship, finishing as the state runner-up in 2007. Dionese was the big arm in that run, posting a 12-3 record and boasting a stellar ERA of 0.85. Over 121 innings pitched throughout the season, Dionese struck out 167 batters, a Central High School single season record. She was also the Wildcats' big bat, hitting .437 and knocking in 14 runs over the season in the middle of Central's order.

Carillo and Pacheco excelled as the Wildcats' double-play combination, turning four double plays and only committing 10 errors between them over the 2007 season. Carrillo hit .421 while Pacheco posted a .337 average, both coming through with clutch hits in key situations. Pacheco was second on the team with 27 RBIs while Carrillo led the team with extra base hits, many of which coming in the late innings or in one-run games.

"They could have played anywhere in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference," Central head softball coach, Larry Romero, said. "They had interest from Regis and Mesa State, but chose to stay here. It's really a win-win situation for the girls and the CSU-Pueblo softball program."

Pack softball coach Shane Showalter was proud that the local girls could stay home and become ThunderWolves.

"It's great for us to have four players of their caliber staying here," Showalter said. "Every one of them brings something different to our team. They will help us win and they should all be able to see success right away. Outside of our own personal agenda, it's a big deal for our community to have four locals staying in town," Showalter said.

The trio of Central grads signed their letters of intent to play softball at CSU-Pueblo Tuesday. Marmolejo turned in her letter Wednesday.

To view the Pueblo Chieftain's coverage of these signings, click here.