We’ve heard of softball recruits committing in all kinds of ways, but never one this… umm… “sweet.”
Rylee Pinedo, the standout infielder from Camarillo, California, met with UCLA Head Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez in Westwood–not far from where the school’s campus is located–and gave her verbal to the Bruin coach at a nationally famous store known for its ice cream sandwiches, cookies and brownies.
“I met with Coach Inouye-Perez off campus and had a great conversation,” Rylee recalls. “We actually went to the famous Diddy Riese Cookies store in Westwood, so that was fun!
That happy meeting was the latest significant achievement for Rylee, who has been on the national radar for years.
Three years ago, for example,, Extra Inning Softball had her as a 2018 PGF All-Tournament Team selection when she was playing on Gary and Dean Fausett’s Top 5 ranked So Cal Choppers 14U powerhouse squad.
The So Cal native has continued to improve every year and has also been an Extra Elite 100 honoree every year the 2022 class rankings has been compiled.
As the senior class’s final rankings are released this week (spoiler alert!), you can pretty much expect that to be the case once again.
And why not?
Rylee helped lead her Camarillo (California) High team to a CIF State Division I regional title and earned all type of honors—from 1st Team Cal-Hi Sports All-State (Underclass) to 1st Team All-Ventura County to Coastal Canyon Player of the Year—as she batted .512 with a .634 on-base percentage and knocked in 18 runs while stealing 17 bases for the 21-2 Scorpions.
Camarillo softball head coach Jack Willard, who is also the school’s head football coach, can’t say enough about the impact his prized infielder has had.
“Rylee has been an outstanding player and leader in our softball program for four years,” the coach explains. “She has developed her offensive game from being a true slapper to a hitter that can bunt for a hit, slap, drive the ball from a slapping approach and swing away at any time.”
“She has worked tirelessly to be a great offensive and defensive player. We have had many outstanding softball players at Camarillo and Rylee is at the top of that list. One of Rylee’s most outstanding characteristics is that she is very coachable. She has the ability to take what a coach is saying and apply it to her game. Sounds easy. Trust me it isn’t.”
“I believe this is one of the many positive characteristics that Rylee has that will allow her to have great success at UCLA. The Bruins are getting a young lady who will show up every day ready to compete and be a great representative of their incredible program.”
In a few weeks, the senior will be signing with her “hometown” UCLA Bruins and says she’s living a dream by getting to play for Coach Inouye-Perez and her staff.
Here’s what Rylee had to say about officially becoming part of the Bruins’ program…
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Name: RYLEE PINEDO
Position(s): Middle Infielder
High School: Camarillo (California)
Travel Team: So Cal Choppers – Fausett
Committed: UCLA
Tell us what’s been your top 1-2 softball experiences?
My top softball experience would be winning the D1 C.I.F state southern regionals!! It was such an awesome experience battling against the best while having the greatest teammates by my side.
How did UCLA get you on its recruiting list initially?
I started to attend the UCLA camps at around age 13 then they followed my travel career ever since then!
When did the Bruin staff offer you a scholarship?
They offered me the same day I committed, so August 11th!
UCLA has had such a great tradition of success over the decades, plus it’s close to home… where those the reasons you chose to commit or were there other factors?
UCLA has always been my dream school and getting the call from Coach “I” on September 1st last year was really exciting. Growing up going to games and seeing the family atmosphere (Bruin Bubble) really made me fall in love with the school.
UCLA is also one of the top public universities in the country with its high academic standards and the location is perfect—I love how I’m far enough from home but also close enough. Also, I get to play and learn from the best coaches/mentors!
How did you come to your decision, did you have family or others helping you?
No one really helped me with my decision. I knew that’s where I wanted to go and I knew my coaches and family would support me, no matter my decision.
What was it about your game and you as a person that led the coaching staff to offer you, in your opinion?
Coach “I” told me how she likes my grit, competitive spirit, work ethic, and that I’m a versatile athlete.
Where will we be able to see you play this Fall?
We will be playing in PGF showcases this Fall.
What’s something about you off the field that not many know?
I’m a very picky eater (laughs)!
Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? 20 years?
I’d like to have a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and have my masters in 10 years while living back in my hometown, Camarillo.
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
