Sydney Townes will continue her softball career at the University of New Mexico after accepting a scholarship with the Lobos on Wednesday.
The sophomore center fielder from Cabrillo High in Lompoc will join teammate Monica Salas, who signed with UNM last month. Paula Congleton, SBCC's softball coach for the last 19 years, is the new head coach at New Mexico, where she was a three-time All-American.
"I am looking forward to a new experience and a new team and am excited that I will be able to continue my career," said Townes. "It is going to be a challenge to play on the Division I level. The players are all really talented. I am going to have to work harder to earn a spot and keep growing as a player."
Townes hit leadoff for the Vaqueros the last two years and they compiled a 52-30 record. They went 30-14 in 2016 and won their first Regional playoff series in school history.
She was a first-team All-WSC choice in her freshman year when she batted .435 and had an OPS of 1.063 (on-base plus slugging percentage). In 2017, she was a a second-team WSC choice, hitting .374 with nine doubles and 14 steals in 15 attempts.
She batted .407 for her career with just 25 strikeouts in 270 at-bats.
"It all came about pretty fast," Townes added. "I had been talking to some other schools to see what options I had. Coach Congleton reached out to me about a month ago and asked if I'd like to play for her. It was a great opportunity and I am happy for the chance."
