(L-R): Ruby Cuen Camacho, Madeline Haun, Katie Torrez, Andrea Alvarez, Janessa Parras, Lauren Tran
Photo by: SMC Athletics / Emily Smith
SB | Gaels Add Six For 2026 Season on National Signing Day
11/14/2024 9:00:00 AM | Softball
MORAGA, Calif. — The Saint Mary's Gaels have yet to begin their season as they look to defend their first ever WCC Title, but Coach Sonja Garnett and her staff already have their sights set for success even further in the future, as Saint Mary's Softball is proud to announce a signing class of six from the high school class of 2025:
Andrea Alvarez, Catcher, Gilroy (CA) HS
Alvarez is a power hitting catcher out of Gilroy, California, just south of San Jose. She is coming off of a season at Gilroy High School in which she hit at 0.412 with more than half of her hits coming of the extra base variety. She led her team with five home runs and 28 RBI, earning a first team All-Conference nod, and leading Gilroy HS to their first trip to the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division Tournament. Alvarez chose Saint Mary's, "Not only for the softball program, but also because it felt like home!"
Ruby Cuen Camacho, Outfield, Freedom (CA) HS
Cuen Camacho is a sure-handed outfielder who also swings a hot stick. She hails from nearby Oakley, California, and prepped at Freedom High School. This past season, Cuen Camacho was an on-base machine for the Falcons, hitting at 0.383 and reaching base 37 times in 22 games. In the field, she did not commit an error, primarily playing in left and center field. Freedom finished with a 14-8 record and qualified for the CIF North Coast Section Division I Playoffs, and Ruby earned first team all-conference honors. She chose Saint Mary's because, "the school offers the major I'm interested in pursuing (health science), which is very important for my academic and career goals. I also love how small the school is because it allows for a more personalized and supportive learning environment. Also, I really liked the softball program, and it was close to home so it was a great fit for me."
Madeline Haun, Pitcher, Smithson Valley (TX) HS
Haun pitched for one of the top softball programs in the state of Texas, Smithson Valley, just north of San Antonio. She is known as a drop ball pitcher who delivers her pitches with high spin rate to keep batters off balance. Last season, Haun was an All-State performer and was named the 5A Region IV District 26 Pitcher of the Year. She pitched her team to the 5A Region 4 Quarterfinals, and hopes to pitch them even further this year. Madeline chose Saint Mary's because, "the school offered me an excellent education and a small town feel with a big family environment!"
Janessa Parras, Catcher, James Logan (CA) HS
East bay product Janessa Parras hails from Hayward, and is a three year veteran behind the dish at James Logan HS. She hit better than 0.450 in both her sophomore and junior campaigns, leading Logan to back-to-back Mission Valley League Titles. On top of her hot bat, Parras also was awarded 11 free passes to just three strikeouts last season to hold a stellar 0.574 on base percentage. She has twice been named an all-conference athlete, and hopes to make it three in a row following her senior season. Janessa chose Saint Mary's because, "everything about the school felt like a perfect fit for me!"
Katie Torrez, Outfield, Kennedy (CA) HS
Speedster Katie Torrez will have a chance to flash her wheels in the field and on the basepaths, coming to Moraga out of Buena Park, California. A three year varsity player at Kennedy High School, Torrez is a career 0.343 hitter, but hit at a season best 0.407 last season with a career-best 24 hits in 23 games. She also has swiped 32 bags throughout her prep career. Torrez has been to three straight CIF Southern Section DII Tournaments, including a trip to the CIF Southern California Division II Tournament in 2023. She chose Saint Mary's because, "loved the environment, the small classes, the beautiful campus, and team culture and dynamic!"
Lauren Tran, Outfield, Amador Valley (CA) HS
Rounding out the group is another East Bay product, Lauren Tran, out of Pleasanton. Tran has started in the outfield for each of the last two seasons at Amador Valley High School, and is a career 0.291 hitter. Tran was an All-East Bay Athletic League honoree in her sophomore season, and last year, was part of an Amador Valley team that won the CIF North Coast Section Division I Tournament and the CIF NorCal Division I Title, including a victory against future teammate Janessa Parras and James Logan High School in the CIF NCS DI Quarterfinals. Tran chose Saint Mary's, "For the excellent academics and athletics. Coach Garnett, Jell, and Hammoude are so welcoming, encouraging, and are great coaches. I am so excited to be a part of such a wonderful program and attend a very respected school!"
About her incoming class, Head Coach Sonja Garnett stated:
"We are so excited for this incoming class. They have a little bit of everything. Janessa is a talented and versatile athlete- she can play corners and catches and is a threat at the plate. Andrea has a sharp skill set behind the plate and will come in as a mature leader in that position. Lauren and Ruby are fast outfielders with great bats that we expect to contribute early in their careers. Katie can play middles and outfield and her separator is her speed and range. Madeline is our lone star pitcher who is deceptive in the circle and powerful in the box. These athletes are important additions to the future of our program as athletes and as people. We are excited about this 2025 class!"
#GaelsRise
Andrea Alvarez, Catcher, Gilroy (CA) HS
Alvarez is a power hitting catcher out of Gilroy, California, just south of San Jose. She is coming off of a season at Gilroy High School in which she hit at 0.412 with more than half of her hits coming of the extra base variety. She led her team with five home runs and 28 RBI, earning a first team All-Conference nod, and leading Gilroy HS to their first trip to the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division Tournament. Alvarez chose Saint Mary's, "Not only for the softball program, but also because it felt like home!"
Ruby Cuen Camacho, Outfield, Freedom (CA) HS
Cuen Camacho is a sure-handed outfielder who also swings a hot stick. She hails from nearby Oakley, California, and prepped at Freedom High School. This past season, Cuen Camacho was an on-base machine for the Falcons, hitting at 0.383 and reaching base 37 times in 22 games. In the field, she did not commit an error, primarily playing in left and center field. Freedom finished with a 14-8 record and qualified for the CIF North Coast Section Division I Playoffs, and Ruby earned first team all-conference honors. She chose Saint Mary's because, "the school offers the major I'm interested in pursuing (health science), which is very important for my academic and career goals. I also love how small the school is because it allows for a more personalized and supportive learning environment. Also, I really liked the softball program, and it was close to home so it was a great fit for me."
Madeline Haun, Pitcher, Smithson Valley (TX) HS
Haun pitched for one of the top softball programs in the state of Texas, Smithson Valley, just north of San Antonio. She is known as a drop ball pitcher who delivers her pitches with high spin rate to keep batters off balance. Last season, Haun was an All-State performer and was named the 5A Region IV District 26 Pitcher of the Year. She pitched her team to the 5A Region 4 Quarterfinals, and hopes to pitch them even further this year. Madeline chose Saint Mary's because, "the school offered me an excellent education and a small town feel with a big family environment!"
Janessa Parras, Catcher, James Logan (CA) HS
East bay product Janessa Parras hails from Hayward, and is a three year veteran behind the dish at James Logan HS. She hit better than 0.450 in both her sophomore and junior campaigns, leading Logan to back-to-back Mission Valley League Titles. On top of her hot bat, Parras also was awarded 11 free passes to just three strikeouts last season to hold a stellar 0.574 on base percentage. She has twice been named an all-conference athlete, and hopes to make it three in a row following her senior season. Janessa chose Saint Mary's because, "everything about the school felt like a perfect fit for me!"
Katie Torrez, Outfield, Kennedy (CA) HS
Speedster Katie Torrez will have a chance to flash her wheels in the field and on the basepaths, coming to Moraga out of Buena Park, California. A three year varsity player at Kennedy High School, Torrez is a career 0.343 hitter, but hit at a season best 0.407 last season with a career-best 24 hits in 23 games. She also has swiped 32 bags throughout her prep career. Torrez has been to three straight CIF Southern Section DII Tournaments, including a trip to the CIF Southern California Division II Tournament in 2023. She chose Saint Mary's because, "loved the environment, the small classes, the beautiful campus, and team culture and dynamic!"
Lauren Tran, Outfield, Amador Valley (CA) HS
Rounding out the group is another East Bay product, Lauren Tran, out of Pleasanton. Tran has started in the outfield for each of the last two seasons at Amador Valley High School, and is a career 0.291 hitter. Tran was an All-East Bay Athletic League honoree in her sophomore season, and last year, was part of an Amador Valley team that won the CIF North Coast Section Division I Tournament and the CIF NorCal Division I Title, including a victory against future teammate Janessa Parras and James Logan High School in the CIF NCS DI Quarterfinals. Tran chose Saint Mary's, "For the excellent academics and athletics. Coach Garnett, Jell, and Hammoude are so welcoming, encouraging, and are great coaches. I am so excited to be a part of such a wonderful program and attend a very respected school!"
About her incoming class, Head Coach Sonja Garnett stated:
"We are so excited for this incoming class. They have a little bit of everything. Janessa is a talented and versatile athlete- she can play corners and catches and is a threat at the plate. Andrea has a sharp skill set behind the plate and will come in as a mature leader in that position. Lauren and Ruby are fast outfielders with great bats that we expect to contribute early in their careers. Katie can play middles and outfield and her separator is her speed and range. Madeline is our lone star pitcher who is deceptive in the circle and powerful in the box. These athletes are important additions to the future of our program as athletes and as people. We are excited about this 2025 class!"
#GaelsRise
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