Merced High softball duo make their college choices official. This is where they’re going
Merced High seniors Ava Brown and Trisha McCleskey grew up together. They played on the same T-ball team. They live in the same neighborhood and played together for the Bears for four years.
So it was only fitting that they shared their signing day ceremony together.
The Merced softball duo made their college choices official recently as they both signed their national letter of intent to accept softball scholarships to four-year schools in front of family, friends and coaches in the Merced High gym.
Brown is headed to Idaho State as a utility player and McCleskey will pitch for Cal State Fullerton.
“It was unreal,” Brown said. “It felt like a dream. I’ve worked so hard for it and I know Trisha has, too.”
“I’ve known Ava for what seems like forever,” McCleskey added. “We played together before high school. She lives in the cul-de-sac behind my house. It was nice to share the moment with her and that we could sign at the same time.”
Both said it took a lot of hard work for them to end up at the college of their choice.
Brown started playing competitive softball in middle school. She’s spent hours practicing, working with coaches on the side and traveling to tournaments.
“It feels amazing,” Brown said. “It’s so cool to reflect on everything that went into it. There was a lot of sweat and tears along the way. I just think of all the support I received from my parents. They sacrificed a lot over the years for me.”
Brown said she had a strong support system that included her aunt Peggy Vejar, who was a big softball influence on her. Her signing day was extra special because it fell on the 88th birthday of her grandmother, Genny Brown, who was always rooting her on.
McCleskey had a similar journey, playing with travel teams, pitching coaches and strength and conditioning coaches over the years.
“A lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice went in to me being able to sign that paper,” McCleskey said. “Not just sacrifices made by me, but my parents sacrificed a lot. I also thought about all the players I got to play with a long the way.”
Merced softball coach John Kane said it’s been great having both players in his program for four years.
“Both of them have put (in) a lot of extra time and a lot of hard work,” Kane said. “Travel ball is a big deal in softball. That’s where they get recruited, but they both really committed to our softball team as well. They are both leaders for our team and I appreciate that from them.”
Both players said the relationship they formed with their future coaches played a role in their decision. They also fell in love with the campuses when they visited their respective universities.
Brown and McCleskey have both done the work in the classroom to make this opportunity happen. They both have compiled a 4.3 GPA at Merced High.
Brown plans to work in special education. She’s spent time working with special-ed students at Merced High. McCleskey plans to major in Psychology.
Both players can’t wait for the next chapter in their softball careers.
“I’m super excited,” McCleskey said. “I’m very much looking forward to going to Cal State Fullerton next year.”
