Former Ceres High School softball standouts Alizae Cole and Ava Montesdeoca both contributed as true freshmen at the college level this past spring.

“I exceeded expectations,” said Cole, a pitcher with Cal State Northridge. “I came in thinking I wasn’t going to get a lot of playing time. I got a lot of opportunities. I worked extra hard. I asked the coaches a lot of questions.”

“I’m very proud of myself for how I did,” said Montesdeoca, a utility player at Stanislaus State. “But I know I’m capable of more.”

Cole compiled a 4-2 record in the circle with a 4.97 earned-run average, 14 strikeouts and 29 walks in 491/3 innings.

She made her first career start during the final week of the season.

Cole gave up two runs and four hits with one strikeout in a 2-1 loss at Long Beach State.

“It’s a big change pitching at a higher level,” she said. “Towards the middle of the season, I played very relaxed. My confidence definitely went up. All my nerves went away. Speed-wise, I changed a lot. I was topping out at 65 miles per hour. I was ranging between 62-63 miles per hour before college.”

Cole welcomed the challenge of competing at the NCAA Division-I level.

“It’s really good competition,” she said. “All you see in college is really good players that work really hard. It made me want to work harder.”

“My mindset switched,” Cole added. “I always gave 100 percent. That’s what the coaches wanted. A big change was my daily routine. It was hard to balance school and traveling. Once you get used to it, it gets pretty easy.”

Cal State Northridge amassed a 14-32 record and placed seventh in the Big West Conference standings (9-18) this season.

“We didn’t do bad,” Cole said. “We didn’t make it as far as we should have in conference play. We’re going to do a lot better next year. I feel I need to believe in myself more. I need to balance having fun and being serious at the same time.”

Montesdeoca embraced her role with NCAA Division-II Stanislaus State, which compiled a 21-25 overall record and finished in eighth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings (10-20).

“We had a good overall season,” Montesdeoca said. “It’s exciting I was able to be a part of it.”

Montesdeoca batted leadoff or ninth on offense.

She saw playing time at third base, shortstop and left field on defense.

Montesdeoca’s main position was third base.

“I played wherever my coaches needed me,” Montesdeoca said. “I never complained.”

“I made a big impact by working hard, being there for my team and carrying a good energy overall,” she added.

Montesdeoca batted .244 from the plate on the year with one double, six RBIs, 22 runs, 14 walks and 10 stolen bases while starting 43 of 46 games.

“I played in basically every game,” she said. “I feel I could have done a lot better. I’m grateful I have coaches and teammates that have trust in me. It helped give me confidence.”

Montesdeoca talked about the challenges of competing at the college level a year removed from high school.

“The transition is a lot harder,” she said. “There’s more pressure. You’re playing with girls just as good if not better. The level of talent is great. Everybody is pushing each other to be better. Being there for each other is a big thing. We have a great culture at Stanislaus State.”

Montesdeoca led a busy life as she had to balance academics, athletics and employment.

“It’s not easy,” she stated. “I had to push myself.”

Montesdeoca managed to make an impact on the field despite being slowed by quad/groin injuries during the second half of the season.

“I want to be better mentally and physically,” Montesdeoca said while talking about her expectations for sophomore year.

Cole and Montesdeoca both played four seasons of varsity softball at Ceres High School from 2022-25.

The duo led the Bulldogs to a combined record of 66-36, three Western Athletic Conference titles and four Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearances.

Cole joined elite company by becoming just the eighth Bulldog player to earn a Division-I scholarship.

“I never thought I’d go D1,” she said. “I surprised myself.”

Cole had career record of 28-15 at the prep level as pitcher with a 2.64 ERA and 304 strikeouts in 2571/3 innings.

She batted .473 from the plate with nine home runs, 13 triples, 33 doubles, 113 RBIs, 110 runs, 62 walks and 25 stolen bases in 101 games.

Cole developed into one of the top players in the WAC.

She was voted WAC Pitcher of the Year and earned first-team all-league honors as a junior.

Cole posted a 12-1 record with a 1.70 ERA, 86 strikeouts, nine complete games and one shutout against WAC competition.

She batted .556 from the plate with one homer, three triples, four doubles, 22 RBIs and 16 runs.

Cole was selected to the WAC First Team senior year.

She amassed a 7-1 record in the circle with a 2.28 ERA and 63 strikeouts in league play.

She batted a career-best .657 with one homer, one triple, nine doubles, 13 RBIs, 19 runs and six stolen bases.

“I almost quit (softball),” Cole stated. “My mom (Natasha Irizarry) pushed me a lot. She motivated me. She told me it would be worth it in the end if I kept playing.”

Montesdeoca developed into one of Ceres High’s all-time greatest shortstops/hitters.

“It means a lot, and I’m honored to be thought of that way,” she said. “But I also respect the girls who came before me. They were just as great.”

Montesdeoca was voted the WAC’s Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.

She batted .609 from the plate with three home runs, seven triples, seven doubles, 30 RBIs, 41 runs and 19 stolen bases while hitting leadoff.

She committed just two errors during her final season en route posting a fielding percentage of .944.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel pressure because my coaches always helped me stay focused and confident,” she said. “If I made a mistake, I reminded myself to keep a positive mindset and move on to the next play. That mindset helped me a lot.”

Montesdeoca earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American recognition as a sophomore. The NFCA Second Team selection hit .605 with three homers, two triples, 10 doubles, 24 RBIs, 41 runs and 17 stolen bases.

In 94 career games, Montesdeoca batted .572 with 11 home runs, 14 triples, 31 doubles, 95 RBIs, 172 runs, 54 walks and 69 stolen bases.

Montesdeoca was selected to the WAC First Team every season.

“My goal throughout high school was to enjoy the game and grow each season,” she said. “I’m proud of everything I accomplished.”