FULLERTON, Calif. – Following the conclusion of the 2016 season in which Cal State Fullerton softball captured its first Big West title since 2006 and made its first appearance in the NCAA Regional tournament since 2009, the Titans' coaching staff awarded senior left-handed pitcher Desiree Ybarra with the inaugural Linda Shafor Game Changer Award.
The award is named for former Titan volunteer assistant coach Linda Shafor who coached at Cal State Fullerton in 1980 and from 1986-1990. Shafor was an integral part in helping lead the Titans to the 1986 National Championship while coaching alongside former head coach Judi Garman who sponsors the award.
Coach Shafor, who was known for hitting outfield fly balls with a pink bat and saying "Nothing drops" as she encouraged her outfielders to catch whatever was hit their way, is currently facing the biggest challenge of her life as she battles cancer. Throughout her courageous battle, she has cheered the Titans on all season and even sent a good luck video to the team prior to the postseason.
Ybarra earned the award after a unanimous vote by the coaching staff. She has faced and overcome many obstacles that both life and softball have thrown her way, yet she persevered and despite the challenges and setbacks, pitched through her first full season as a Titan.
"It is a great pleasure to sponsor the Game Changer Award which honors Linda Shafor, who played an important part in establishing a foundation of excellence for Titan Softball," Garman said. "She has made such a difference in all of our lives. It is fitting to recognize and honor a student-athlete each year, beginning with Desi, with an award in Coach Shafor's name."
Ybarra, a Riverside, Calif., native, had seen each of her seasons as a Titan cut short due to injury and utilized a redshirt year in 2014. As a fifth-year senior in 2016, Ybarra came back after suffering a concussion a year ago and made the decision that nothing was going to keep her off the field and proceeded to have the best season of her collegiate career. She was named to the NFCA All-West Region First Team, garnered Big West Pitcher of the Year accolades and was named to the All-Big West First Team.
She led the Titans' pitching staff with a 1.82 ERA and finished the year with a 16-7 record with 25 starts, 13 complete games, five shutouts and one save in 165.0 innings pitched. Ybarra logged a team-high 150 strikeouts against 65 walks and held opponents to a .227 batting average.
"Desi, being the first to receive this award, has really set the bar high for future recipients," Coach Ford said. "Her determination, power of putting mind over matter, and brilliance in the postseason will make Coach Shafor proud."