University of Memphis Athletics
Softball Signs Southern California Prep Star
Nov 16, 2007 | Softball
Nov. 16, 2007
Complete Release in PDF Format 
For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 678-2444
MEMPHIS - University of Memphis head softball coach Windy Thees announced on Friday that outfielder Lelani Bernardino signed a national letter of intent to play for the Tigers beginning in the 2009 season. A native of Valencia, Calif., Bernardino preps at Valencia High School and is coached by Donna Lee.
In 2007, Bernardino led Valencia High to a national championship and a 32-1 record. The junior leftfielder hit .384 on the year with a .423 on base percentage, 15 runs and eight RBI. After the season, Bernardino was named to the second team all league, second team all valley and honorable mention all area squads.
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"Lelani plays for a first class summer team in the So Cal Choppers. Having played for Gary myself, I know she is getting the best possible preparation for college, and that she works hard every day to improve her game."
Memphis Head Coach Windy Thees
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"I am so excited to have Lelani joining our team next season," Thees said. "I have followed her career over the past three years and seen her continue to develop in all facets of her game. She is a five tool player who can play any of the outfield positions, and she is a true leadoff hitter who can do it all; bunt, slap and hit."
Bernardino played travel ball with the So Cal Choppers Gold team in 2006-07 coached by Dean and Gary Faucet. Gary Faucet also coached Thees' summer team in California as a 12 year old and worked with her on hitting during the summers throughout her childhood.
"Lelani plays for a first class summer team in the So Cal Choppers," Thees said. "Having played for Gary myself, I know she is getting the best possible preparation for college, and that she works hard every day to improve her game."
The So Cal Choppers finished third at the ASA 18U Gold Nationals after placing first in the ASA Champions Cup and fifth at the Indy Tournament.
Beginning competitive summer softball in 1995, Bernardino has 13 years of softball experience. Her William S. Hart 10U Gold Tournament Team was the ASA "B" National Finalist in 2000, and her So Cal Kaos 12U team placed fifth at the Triple Crown Nationals in 2002.
Lettering all three years at Valencia High School, Bernardino has helped her team win the Foothill League Championship three times. Her freshman squad in 2005 was also a CIF Division 1 finalist.
The daughter of Danny and Polly Bernardino grew up playing several sports and also lettered as a sophomore in basketball at forward. Besides softball and basketball, she has also played soccer for seven years, competed on swim teams, taken private skiing lessons beginning at the age of three and taken hula dancing lessons.
