HAYWARD, Calif. -- Cal State East Bay head softball coach Claire Sua-Amundson has announced the signing of high school catcher Desiree Jimmy (Los Angeles, Calif.) to a national letter of intent to compete for the Pioneers as a freshman in 2017-18. 

Jimmy is completing her final year at Lincoln High School in East Los Angeles, where she has enjoyed a decorated prep softball career. A four-year starter for the varsity team, she was named Honorable Mention All-Northern League as a freshman and Second Team All-League as a sophomore. Jimmy had a breakout season last year as a junior, batting .429 to capture a First Team nod as well as the Northern League Player of the Year award.

"Des is so solid behind the plate and will replace some power in our lineup that we will lose with this year's graduating class," Sua-Amundson said. "Her arm strength and ability to manage a game is so impressive for her age."

"DJ" led her league in home runs (6) in 2016. She also paced the entire Los Angeles City Section with 45 runs batted in, which earned her Second Team All-Section honors. Jimmy has been perhaps even more impressive as a senior, batting .500 with 33 RBI in 25 games so far. 

A hard worker on the field and in the classroom, she has served as team captain each of the last two seasons and won Lincoln's Amanda McPherson Spirit Award. Jimmy has also qualified for the Scholar-Athlete award all four years of high school.

Jimmy's arrival comes at an opportune time for the Pioneers, who will need a new starting catcher for the first time since 2013 following the graduation of current senior Ali Cerminara, the program's all-time leader in home runs and RBI.