For most of their softball playing lives, Megan Sabbatini, Brittany Newman and Taylor Fabing have played alongside each other. On Tuesday, the three San Benito High seniors signed letters of intent to play college softball separate from each other.
Sabbatini agreed to go to the University of San Diego next fall. Newman will stay close to home at California State University, Monterey Bay and Fabing will attend Pima Community College in Tucson.
In a ceremony in front of friends and family, the three seniors were proud to take the next step in softball, while thanking SBHS head coach Scott Smith for helping them along the way.
“Scott really prepares us and really pushes and prepares us for the next level,” Sabbatini said. “How he coaches us is how the next level is going to be. And just all the championships that we’ve won, it’s a great feeling to go to college and tell them you’ve won all these championships and that you won in high school.”
All three players will leave San Benito High School with at least three Central Coast Section titles – a possible fourth title is ongoing – and plenty of experience. They also follow a lineage of players who have gone on to find success in schools such as BYU and Oklahoma.
“I think it tells a lot,” Newman said. “ A lot of girls before of us have gone places too. And the coaches did the same things with them. It shows how the coaches are preparing us to get to where we are.”
Newman, a four year starter in the infield for the Balers, will play for the Otters next year. She chose the school because it was close to home and the beach.
“My family will be able to watch me and they are my biggest support,” she said. “If I went far it would be harder for me. And I like to go to the beach, so that’s pretty much it.”
To sign with two long-time teammates was a blessing, she said.
“It means a lot because I’ve always wanted to do this and I’ve dreamed of doing this,” she said. “My family is supporting me. And Taylor, Megan and I have played with each other for a long time, and we all thought we could do it and we are so it means a lot.”
San Benito’s No. 1 starting pitcher Sabbatini, who has yet to lose this year, received the only Division I scholarship from the group. She heads to San Diego after the Toreros finished 24-29 last year.
For Sabbatini, it is a reward for all her hard work, she said.
“It just means all my heart work actually shows,” she said. “I put in so much time and it’s the game I love so it’s a nice feeling to sign and go somewhere after all that work I put in.”
Fabing is grateful for her opportunity in Arizona, she said.
“It means a lot like I didn’t think after all these years in travel ball that I would be the athlete that I am today,” she said. “It was a great atmosphere. The coach was amazing. The team was amazing. They work so hard.”
The Balers season continues at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the CCS DI semifinals at San Jose’s PAL. With a victory over Homestead, the Balers will advance to Saturday’s title game looking for their eighth title in a row.
