Escalon softball standout Malia Babasa, a senior this year at EHS, has signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball and continue her education at Eastern Kentucky University.

“I am planning on majoring in Sports Management when I attend Eastern Kentucky. I am very excited to attend Eastern Kentucky and can’t wait to see what Kentucky has to offer,” said Babasa, who was part of two Sac-Joaquin Section championship varsity softball teams her freshman and sophomore years at EHS. Her junior season last year was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic; the softball team had played just a few preseason games before the campaign was put on hold.

However, Babasa has continued to hone her skills; she is an infielder and along with high school softball, has been involved in competitive travel softball for several years. She had the chance to visit the college in Richmond, Kentucky early last year, in the beginning of 2020.

“When I laid foot on campus, right away it felt like home and I knew I could see myself settling there for the next four years of my life and maybe even more,” Babasa explained. “Coach (Jane) Worthington, the staff, and the current players on the roster made me feel welcomed after my visit. I knew right away from the beginning Coach Worthington was the coach I really wanted to play for. She would really push me to play the next level of softball.”

Babasa saw time primarily at second base and shortstop for the varsity Lady Cougars, and can also play third base.

Eastern Kentucky, an NCAA Division I school, plays in the Ohio Valley Conference.