A multi-sport standout at Ceres High School, senior Shania Evans has decided to play softball at the college level.

Evans signed a national letter of intent with Humboldt State on Nov. 14.

“I got what I strived for,” she said. “All my hard work paid off.”

Evans verbally committed to the Lumberjacks last December.

She took her official visit to Humboldt State in October.

“The environment is super amazing,” she said. “They have a family atmosphere there. The weather is perfect. I’m excited to see the new adventures it’s going to bring me.” 

Evans will be coached by Shelli Sarchett, who guided the NCAA Division-II Lumberjacks to a 20-26 overall record and seventh-place finish in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings (15-17) last spring.

She was recruited as a utility player.

“I’ve tried to be the best I could be at every position,” she said. “That’s what got me to where I am.”

“Shania will add depth to our roster in multiple positions,” Sarchett stated. “I expect that she will come in and push our starters for the job right away.” 

“There’s no seniority on the team,” Evans added. “The best players are going to play on game day. I plan to work hard to be on the traveling team the first year.”

She trains three times a week at The Performance Lab in Modesto.

Evans dedicates a total of seven hours to practice each week.

She also takes private hitting lessons.

“I put in extra work to help my softball career,” Evans said. “I started two summers ago.”

Shania excelled in softball and track and field during the springtime her junior year.

She hit .353 from the plate with one homer, three doubles, five RBIs and five runs for Ceres High, which amassed a 6-10 record and finished third in the WAC (5-5). 

Evans’ on-base plus slugging percentage of .918 ranked second on the team.

She also ranked second in slugging percentage (.529) and third in batting average.

Evans took second in the triple jump at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships.

She placed second at the WAC finals.

Shania ranked among the top 16 players in Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II tennis and finished second at the Western Athletic Conference Singles Championships this fall.

Evans amassed a 15-2 record during the WAC season.

She earned first-team all-conference honors for the first time.

“I really didn’t start loving softball until my freshman year,” she said. “I started taking hitting lessons every week. I was very dedicated. I took it more seriously.”

Evans has suited up for three different travel organizations during her softball career: Tri County Smash, OBS Monarchs and Batbusters.

She currently plays for the Batbusters-Todd Clark 18-and-under team.

“I’ve played softball my whole life,” she said. “There were definitely times I wanted to quit. But this is the sport I love. I’m very grateful I was able to find a college and move up to the next level. My dad helped me grow as a player with fundamentals. My mom sacrificed her time taking me to all my practices and games. My grandparents have always supported me.”