State Fair Community College (SFCC) Lady Roadrunners sophomore pitcher/first baseman Alissa Collette of Springfield, Missouri has signed her National Letter of Intent and will continue her academic and athletic career at Southwest Baptist University, a NCAA Division II University in Bolivar, Missouri next fall. SBU is in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. She is the first softball student-athlete to announce her future plans.

"I really like (Head Coach) Dalton Kelley," said Collette. "I think he will do a lot of good things for the program. I really like the university and the atmosphere of a small campus.

As a freshman, Collette finished third on the team in batting average at .356, while playing in 47 games. She finished fourth on the team in runs batted in with 26. Collette registered 37 hits. She also hit four home runs which tied her for fourth on the team.

"Alissa will have to step into more of a pitching role for us," said SFCC Softball Head Coach Lyndsey Talbot. "She has done a fantastic job. I think it is still kind of up in the air about what type of role she will fill for their program. SBU has a brand-new coach. They are kind of an up-and-coming program. Alissa is the definition of a team player. She will fit in wherever they need her."

Collette made 22 appearances in the circle as a freshman, 18 of which were starts. She recorded five victories and six complete games. She struck out 42 batters in 98 innings.

"My teammates and I always have a lot of fun on the bus," said Collette. "The relationships that I have with my teammates are something I will always treasure. I love Coach Talbot and Coach Rupard; they have helped me grow my game a lot."

Collette, a true student-athlete, earned the Easton National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar Athlete Award as a freshman. She was also named a Third Team NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete Award winner.

Collette plans to major in accounting at SBU.

David Rohrbach

SFCC Athletics