UNCG softball adds two in early signing period
GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG's softball team has signed prep seniors Kiah Ruffin and Dominique Madruga to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, coach Jennifer Herzig announced Tuesday. Ruffin and Madruga will join the Spartans for the 2012 campaign.
"I am very excited to be able to announce Kiah and Dominique as the first members of the Spartan softball class of 2015," Herzig said. "Both of these signees have achieved many successes both on and off the field in their prep careers, and I am anxious for their arrival to UNCG next August to begin their collegiate careers."
Ruffin, an outfielder out of Wake Forest, N.C., has helped Wake Forest-Rolesville High School to three straight Capital 7 Conference championships. Ruffin has never lost a Cap 7 game in her career, as the Cougars are in the midst of a 111-game conference winning streak that dates to 2001. An all-district, all-conference and all-academic performer, Ruffin has led Wake Forest-Rolesville in steals each year of her career and is the school's career record holder after just three seasons.
On the club level, Ruffin played in the American Softball Association Southern Regional Nationals for the NC Flames and the ASA Eastern Regional Nationals with Triangle Lightning. While playing for the Lightning, she was named to the National Softball Association/National Scouting Report Talent Search All-Tournament Team. Ruffin currently plays for the Lady Lightning Gold in Winston-Salem, N.C.
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| Dominique Madruga |
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| Kiah Ruffin |
"Kiah will add depth to our outfield, and with her natural speed as a left-handed slapper, she has the potential to be a big contributor to our offensive lineup." Herzig. "She possesses a very strong commitment to academics, and I am confident that she will excel in her chosen academic field of study."
Madruga, a middle infielder/outfielder from San Diego, Calif., is a four-time All-San Diego City Western League shortstop for Cathedral Catholic High School. In 2010, she was a first-team All-San Diego California Interscholastic Federation Division III selection and a San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic First Team pick. She was also Cathedral Catholic's defensive player of the year in 2010. She helped the Dons to CIF semifinals appearances in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and a 2008 Western League title.
On the club level, she has played three years for the San Diego Legacy and was selected to The Next Level Softball premier tournament team in 2010. In 2009, she helped the team to a third-place finish in the Southern California State Championships and a ninth-place finish at ASA Nationals.
"Dominique is an incredibly exciting athlete to watch," Herzig said. "She has the prototypical soft hands of a middle infielder, the speed to steal bases, and the bat to be a major offensive threat for us. I fully anticipate that Dom will compete for a starting position right away."
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