Mendocino College Athletics

By Ray Hamill — It was a spring to remember for former Hoopa Warrior Tatianna Colegrove.

The 2023 Hoopa graduate took her talents to Mendocino College and had an immediate impact playing softball for the Eagles this year.

And she was rewarded with an all-state selection. as well as being named the Golden Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year.

“She threw well all year and when she got into conference play she competed exceptionally well,” Mendocino head coach Doug Wingler said. 

Colegrove, who was one of four former H-DNL players to play for the Eagles this year, made 26 appearances in the circle and finished with an impressive 144 strikeouts in 141 innings.

“That was pretty exceptional for a kid in her freshman year,” Wingler added. 

The former Hoopa Warrior allowed just 51 walks and finished with a record of 10-9 with one save and an ERA of 2.63.

She also had a big impact at the plate and on defense, where she filled in mostly at third base when she wasn’t pitching.

At the plate, she led the Eagles starters with a .333 average and a team-high 10 doubles and was second best on the team in home runs (two) and RBIs (25).

And that’s not all she brought to the table.

“She was a great teammate,” Wingler added. “She worked extremely hard and is just continually trying to improve.

“From a coaching standpoint, there’s a lot to like about her and she set the standard for others as far as her work ethic.”

Former Fortuna Husky Kelsie Hall also received all-conference recognition for the Eagles for the second straight year.

The hard-hitting sophomore was named to the all-conference second team after batting .288 with a team-best three home runs, as well as finishing with 19 RBIs and nine doubles.

Mendocino College Athletics

Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Kelsie Hall in action for the Eagles this spring.

Hall, who graduated Fortuna in 2022 and was named first-team all-conference last spring, raised the level of her game when conference play rolled around and averaged .333 in the GVC.

“She did really well and had some big hits for us,” Wingler said. “And I was glad to see her get the recognition.

“She had a good career for us and she’s another great kid.”

The versatile Hall played both catcher and outfield and was a very effective designated player as well, while hitting in every game.

Two other former H-DNL players also played for the Eagles this spring.

Tatianna’s older sister Savannah Colegrove saw limited time early in the spring before ending her season because of a non-softball injury, and she is expected to receive a medical red-shirt.

The sophomore standout is expected back with the team next year and should pick up just where she left off.

Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Raina Ausburn reacts after pitching a win against CR this spring.

In eight games this spring, Savannah batted a team-best .348 with five doubles, and Wingler is excited about the prospect of having her back in Ukiah in 2025.

“We’re looking forward to having her back next year,” he said. “It was fun to see (both sisters) out there early in the year.”

Savannah, who was the 2022 Humboldt Sports Little 4 Girls Athlete of the Year, was a second-team all-conference selection as a college freshman in 2023.

Former Arcata Tiger and McKinleyville Panther Raina Ausburn also had a big impact with the Eagles.

The 2022 McKinleyville High graduate was 8-10 in 20 appearances in the circle and finished with an ERA of 4.76, including going 6-4 in 10 conference appearances.

“She was a huge contributor for us,” Wingler said. “She was a big part of our success and we’re going to miss her.”

Ausburn is expected to continue her playing career at a four-year program.

“She’ll make a great addition to somebody’s pitching staff,” the Eagles coach added.

Wingler haș enjoyed plenty of success with H-DNL players over the past few years, a group that also includes former Arcata Tiger Makayla Bernald, who tragically passed away in a car accident early last year.

Bernald also was named conference pitcher of the year during her time at Mendocino.

“They’re great ball players and quality people too,” the coach said of the H-DNL contingent. “I don’t know what you’re doing up there in Humboldt but keep it up.

“They’ve all made our program better.”