Eduardo Miranda
The Daily Independent
After losing a season, the Cerro Coso softball program held a huge signing ceremony with 10 recruits signing their letters of commitment to attend and play for the Cero Coso Coyotes softball team next season. The 10 future Coyotes are all out of town players from the Southern California area and are set to return the program to the diamond next Spring season. Head Coach Domonique Hernandez and his assistant coach Claudia Navarro held the ceremony and introduced the 10 new players, who received loud support from the friends and families that attended the ceremony. At the end of introducing the 10 players, all of them signed their letter of intents to the support of those attending and then took pictures with their new teammates and coaches in front of the Cerro Coso logo. Hernandez spoke on his excitement of having 10 new recruits commit to his program.
"I am super excited," the Coyotes head coach said. "Just to bring in 10 out of town players to come here and play is a huge deal, and then for them to come and support with their families I'm super excited for this upcoming season."
He continued that it was huge to have these 10 out of town players arrive to the ceremony with their family and friends, as that support is what led to the ceremony. But it also showed Hernandez that not only are the players committed to the program but their family and friends are as well.
After losing the 2023-2024 season, Hernandez spoke briefly on the lost season but instead looked ahead to these new recruits becoming the new foundation for the program as it strives to become stronger each year.
"We were unable to have a season last year but super excited for this upcoming year and that will not happen again," he said. "My goal here is to make sure we are building this program. I want to build this program and give players an opportunity to play at the next level, and that is something I am really looking forward to doing. And just having them go out there and compete, that is my main thing.
"These 10 signings right here are a good group of girls. Not only can they play softball but they are a good group. The main thing, is just building that family because these individuals they are coming from all different parts of the state and even parts of the country. They are all here for the same reason to go to school, to play softball, but also to build that family foundation. That is something that is really important here in Ridgecrest. Being a Coyote is to build that family foundation."
Both Hernandez and Navarro were both excited to have 10 signings and hold the ceremony in the Cerro Coso gym. Yet Hernandez admits they will have a sense of accomplishment when they get those players, and any others who commit to the program, on the diamond in a Coyotes jersey in the Spring next season, and have them play in front of the fans of the Cerro Coso softball program.
"Seeing them out there in those uniforms is just going to be an accomplishment. We work our tails off this spring and summer to get this team here., Hernandez said. "Just seeing them in the Fall build and get ready for the Spring, I just want to see that final result in the Spring. I just want them to be successful in whatever direction they want to go. Even after here if it is to continue athletically or even if its academically. As long as they came here and built those long-term relationships that they will have for the rest of their lives, that is what is important.
"I want the fans to come out and I'm super excited. We have a brand-new facility, a couple new uniforms, brand new team the people in the community they do not know these players and a great way to know these players is to come and support. But also, we will be doing our part and supporting within the community so you get to know who we are. I know Ridgecrest is known to support and I'm really big on giving back to the community."