Fresno State Athletics – Hailey Dolcini

By Ray Hamill — Hailey Dolocini is heading to the Big 12, where she will play for the Texas Longhorns.

The former Fortuna Husky, who was a four-time Big 5 MVP, announced her decision on social media on Sunday.

“I am extremely excited to announce that I will play my last season and further my education at the University of Texas,” she wrote on Twitter. “Cannot thank [Texas Softball and coaching staff] enough for this incredible opportunity. See you in January, Texas!! HOOK EM.”

Dolcini spent the past three seasons playing for the Fresno State Bulldogs and was named as one of the top-25 finalists for the national player of the year this past spring after posting the 11th-best ERA in the nation (1.12).

Last month, she announced she was leaving the Bulldogs “with a heavy heart” in order to pursue her Master’s degree.

She will be joining a Texas program that is a perennial playoff contender and finished the spring as the No. 12 team in the nation.

The Longhorns have placed in the top-three in the Big 12 in nine of the past 11 seasons and qualified for the College Softball World Series in 2013.

Dolcini leaves quite a legacy in her wake at Fresno, where she was named 2021 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year.

She finished the 2021 season with 259 strikeouts and a record of 22-5, including four no-hitters, two of which were perfect games, and two of which remarkably came within 24 hours of each other.

She has one year of eligibility remaining.