California State University Stanislaus Athletics

TURLOCK — Cal State Stanislaus softball head coach Jan Schefkowitz has announced the early-signing of three area standouts joining the Warriors softball program in the Fall of 2010. The three high school seniors — Keri Ball of Pleasanton, Laura Ginns of Elk Grove and Morgan Riddick of Turlock — signed their National Letters of Intent last week.

"We are very happy to have this trio of freshmen who are all softball scholar-athletes and accomplished players," Schefkowitz said. "We expect these student-athletes to not only keep our winning tradition and national status going, we also expect them to improve on it."

Ball is a 5-foot-10 right-handed pitcher/first baseman from Pleasanton's Foothill High School where she was an all-state and a two-time all-league first-team selection. Ball was named the 2008 East Bay Athletic League Most Valuable Player as she led the team to the sectional playoffs and a 18-8 record. 

Foothill won the sectional championship in 2007 and is a two-time league champion in 2007 and 2008. Ball has also competed at the ASA Nationals level and is currently playing with the Lady Hustle 18 Gold team coached by former UCLA All-American Julie Marshall.

Ball, a two-time principal's honor roll recipient, will be pursuing a career in nursing.

Ginns is a 5-foot infielder from Elk Grove's Franklin High School, where she was an all-conference first-team pick in 2009. She batted .314 and was second on her team with 27 hits, plus four stolen bases. Franklin won the Delta Valley Conference championship in 2007 and 2008.

Ginns, a three-time scholar-athlete at Franklin, will be majoring in kinesiology with a goal of becoming a physical therapist.

Turlock native Riddick is an 5-foot-7 infielder/pitcher at Turlock High School where she was the Central California Conference's co-Most Valuable Pitcher as a junior. Riddick earned the Modesto Bee's All-District second-team selection and was a two-time CCC all-league pick. In 2009, Riddick batted .403 with 22 runs batted in and posted a 1.16 ERA with 161 strikeouts, 10 shutouts and a 15-8 record in 145 1/3 innings.

Riddick, a two-time academic all-league honoree, will be majoring in biology with a career objective of being a physician's assistant. Both of her parents graduated from California State University, Stanislaus.

"I am happy that such an outstanding student-athlete from Turlock has decided to stay and compete for her home town University," Schefkowitz said.

Cal State Stanislaus softball is coming off another successful season as the Warriors advanced to the super regional round of the NCAA tournament after winning the west regional in Arcata. The Warriors are 2008 CCAA Champions and 2007 West Region Champions. Cal State Stanislaus, which ended 2009 ranked No. 15 in the nation, begins its 2010 season on Feb. 3 versus Academy of Art in Turlock.