SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento State head softball coach Lori Perez announced that College of San Mateo outfielder Lafu Malepeai has signed to play with the Hornets, and will enroll at the University in the fall as a junior.

Malepeai will have two years to play in a Sacramento State uniform. The South San Francisco, Calif., native becomes the fourth player of the 2024 recruiting class, joining James Logan High School third baseman/outfielder Erin Garcia, Tracy High School middle infielder Malissa George, and Red Bluff High School pitcher Keeli Smith.

Lafu Malepeai • OF • R/R • 5-6 • South San Francisco, Calif.
• Played two seasons as an outfielder for College of San Mateo (2022, 2023)
• Had a huge career: two-time NFCA All-American, two-time Coast Conference Player of the Year, two-time first team all-state, 2023 NFCA California Player of the Year, 2022 CCCAA Women's Athlete of the Year, and 2022 Northern California Player of the Year
• Named the state championship tournament MVP after leading San Mateo to its first-ever state title in 2022
• In 10 postseason games during San Mateo's state title run in 2022, she hit .611 (11-for-18) with five home runs, nine stolen bases and 15 RBIs.
• Also led San Mateo to a combined 83-13 overall record, 25-1 in league, and two conference championships
• In 83 career games, she hit .508 (133-for-262) with 121 runs scored, 33 home runs, 101 RBIs, a .569 on-base percentage and 1.031 slugging percentage
• Stole 55 bases over her two seasons, and struck out just eight times in 262 at-bats
• Played four years of varsity softball at South San Francisco High School
• In 65 prep games, she hit .538 (114-for-212) with 26 doubles, 17 triples, 52 stolen bases, 17 home runs and 125 RBIs. Averaged 1.9 RBIs per game
• Lettered in three sports (volleyball, basketball, softball) all four years of high school
• The 2019 Daily Journal Female Athlete of the Year

Perez quote: "Lafu comes from an excellent junior college program in College of San Mateo, where she was a key part of their state championship in 2022. She has the rare combination of power and speed. Lafu has the ability to make an immediate impact to our lineup and will be a threat with her power. She is an athletic outfielder with a strong arm and will bring very important depth to that position. We are excited she has chosen Sacramento State to further her career and obtain her college degree."