June 23, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis softball program has signed Marissa Araujo to an athletics grant-in-aid agreement, announced head coach Karen Yoder. Araujo will join the Aggies as a junior in 2008-09 after a pair of standout seasons at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas.

Araujo, who played primarily as an infielder for Odessa, led the team last season with a .384 average and finished 21st in the nation with 66 RBIs. She belted eight homers while posting six triples and 12 doubles. Her efforts as a sophomore followed an equally impressive freshman campaign with the Wranglers as Araujo finished second on the team with a .408 average.

In all, Araujo put together a two-year junior college career in which she helped lead the team to a total of 83 victories. She was the only player on the 2008 team to start all 63 games. Araujo received All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference honors in both 2007 and 2008. She also was a two-time All Region selection and was named a TJCCA All-Star.

Prior to Odessa, Araujo put together a four-year prep career at Indio High School in her hometown of Indio, Calif. She was named MVP of the Desert Valley League three times (2004, 2005, 2006) and was also a three-time team MVP.

"Marissa will provide a level of experience and versatility we are excited about," said Yoder. "Her dedication in the classroom, weight room, and on the field will be a great addition to our club."

Araujo joins Nicole Kociemba (P, Jr, Sacramento, Calif./Sierra College) as part of the Aggies' 2008 signing class.