Ceres High School’s Brooklyn Heffernan has been a frequent participant at the Stanislaus State Softball Clinic.
“I’m always there,” the junior pitcher/outfielder said.
Heffernan’s familiarity with the coaching staff and campus were key factors in her decision to verbally commit to the Warriors in November.
“It’s nice to have my future set,” she said. “I’m very thankful everything happened when it did. I get to go to my dream school. It’s close to home. I love the campus. It just felt like it was a good fit for me.”
Heffernan, 16, will join Stanislaus’ softball program in 2023.
“I’m glad Stanislaus is taking interest in girls in this area,” said Mike Corsaut, Heffernan’s coach at Ceres High. “This is a hotbed for softball.”
“She’s going to do fantastic wherever she goes. She’s coachable. She’s confident. She’s a good leader. She leads by example.”Mike Corsaut on Brooklyn Heffernan
“It’s a good fit for her,” he added. “It’s not far from home. She doesn’t have to travel far. They want her. She’s going to do fantastic wherever she goes. She’s coachable. She’s confident. She’s a good leader. She leads by example.”
Heffernan was recruited to pitch for the Warriors.
She will also contribute on offense.
Heffernan could see playing time in the outfield as well.
“I’ll play wherever she (Stanislaus State coach Jessica Ventoza) needs me,” Heffernan said. “I’m very hard working. Once I put my mind to something, I like to achieve it.”
Heffernan plans to pursue a career in nursing or the medical field.
“That was a key factor in colleges I was looking for before verbally committing,” she said. “Stanislaus State is an amazing school. I feel at home there.”
Heffernan has been a key member of Ceres High’s softball team for the past two seasons.
She batted .391 from the plate with one triple, three doubles, five RBIs, 14 runs and two stolen bases during the Bulldogs’ COVID-19 shortened season this past spring.
She committed just one error on defense.
Heffernan compiled a 2-0 record at pitcher with a 2.94 ERA, 27 strikeouts and just four walks.
Ceres High finished 6-2 on the year and 1-0 in Western Athletic Conference play.
Heffernan was named the Courier’s Female Newcomer Athlete of the Year for the 2019 spring sports campaign.
She filled a major role as Ceres High posted a 19-6 overall record, qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III playoffs and claimed the WAC championship with a near-perfect 13-1 mark.
Heffernan was voted co-Most Valuable Player of the WAC.
She batted .388 with two homers, two triples, nine doubles, 24 RBIs and 24 runs on the year.
She had slugging and on-base percentages of .625 and .451, respectively.
She drove in the game-winning run with a two-out double during Ceres High’s 3-2 WAC title-clinching victory over Los Banos.
Heffernan posted an 8-2 record at pitcher with a 1.58 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 71 innings.
She tossed a no-hitter against Lathrop. She struck out seven batters.
Heffernan made no errors on defense this season.
“To be the first player from my travel team (All-American Pikas) to verbal is surreal,” she said. “It’s an honor. My dream has come true. I get to play college softball with a great team and coaches. I’m working every day to try to become better any way I can. I’ve always been lucky to have good coaches.”
Heffernan still has two more seasons of softball to play at Ceres High.
“She’s going to get bigger and stronger,” Corsaut said.
