It was 3 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon and the Pitman High School Library Media Center was full of people. No one was studying, researching or reading books; they were all there to watch Janessa Guevara sign on to play softball for Sonoma State University.

“This is a dream come true for her,” Guevara’s mother, Melissa Guevara said. “Janessa has had to work really hard to get where she’s at.”

All of Guevara’s hard work paid off last year as she helped lead her team to 18 wins, the most by any Pride softball team, and a spot in the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. As a pitcher she held batters to an 181 batting average in her 25 starts and ended the season with a .650 winning percentage. Guevara also excelled off the mound, leading the team in RBIs and batting a .329.

“She was an instrumental force on our team. She had more strikeouts than anyone in our league,” head coach Cassie Sheppherd said. “She was an amazing pitcher; we couldn’t have done what we did last year without her.”

In recognition of her efforts Guevara was named the Central California Conference pitcher of the year and all Stanislaus district pitcher, also earning a spot on the first team All-CCC.

“She’s helped create a positive name for Pitman High softball,” Pitman’s athletic director Dave Walls said.

“It’s a great weight off my shoulders,” Guevara said. “It’s such a relief that I finally made it this far after all these years of working hard.”

Guevara now looks ahead to the future when she will officially become a Seawolf.

“I expect her to give the upperclassmen pitchers a run for their money,” Sheppherd said.

To contact Frankie Tovar, e-mail ftovar@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.