Leona Lafaele Joins Alabama Softball from California
11/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 18, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama head softball coach Patrick Murphy announced the signing of Leona Lafaele (Sacramento, Calif.), Friday morning. Lafaele will join the Crimson Tide from Inderkum High School.
"Aly (Habetz) and I were searching for a power hitter to complete our class as our first three commitments were all lefties with speed," Murphy said. "We found who we were looking for in Leona Lafaele."
During Lafaele's high school career at Inderkum , she has posted the top batting average on the team since her freshman season. She was also the Max Preps Top 5 in batting average, home runs, slugging and on base percentage in 2010.
Her club softball team, AASA, placed fifth in 18 gold nationals in 2011. Lafaele was named to the Tri-County Conference All League and the All Metro Honorable Mention in 2010.
"She swings the bat as hard as a major league baseball player," Murphy added. "Her power will fit right in with our system. On top of that, Leona has an attitude of gratitude which was evident from the first time we met her and her mom (Cathy Tupai). It was refreshing to see that in comparison to today's 'what's in it for me' society."
She comes from an athletic family as one cousin, Jeremiah Toma played football for Fresno State and another cousin played football for Cal Berkeley.
She was also a member of the volleyball team. Off the softball field, Lafaele is a member of the Polynesian club. She is the daughter of Cathy Tupai and Matauli Lafeale. She has one brother named Leevi and three sisters, Alex, Tiara and Rianna.
