HONOLULU—University of Hawai'i head softball coach Bob Coolen announced the signing of four prep standouts who will play for the Rainbow Wahine in the spring of 2014. Brittany Hitchcock, Gaylan “Ulu” Matagiese, Heather Morales, and Lindsey Willmon all signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Rainbow Wahine this week during the early signing period.
 
Hitchcock is a 5-11 pitcher from Westminster, Calif. who is currently a senior at Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach. She has been a first-team all-league player the past three seasons with the Seahawks. Last season, she went 14-6 with a 0.95 ERA in 21 appearances. She tossed five shutouts with 133 strike outs to just 31 walks in 132.2 innings pitched. Hitchcock also hit .411 as a junior (30-for-85) with 17 runs scored and 21 RBI on the season. As a junior, she earned her second Goldenwest League Pitcher of the Year honor while also earning first-team all-CIF Division 4 honors.  She has also done well in the classroom, earning scholar-athlete awards for the past two seasons.
 
“Brittany is a strong down-ball pitcher with good off-speed pitches.” says Coolen. “She will be expected to step right into the rotation and will only get stronger in college.”
 
Matagiese is a versatile 5-6 athlete who UH will be looking to play three positions—outfield, third base, or catcher. As a Waimea High School junior last year, she hit .679 (38-for-56) with four doubles and six home runs. She also scored 31 runs with 34 RBI and 10 stolen bases. She helped lead Menehune to the DII state championship title and was named Co-Most Valuable Player of the tournament. She has earned all-league honors all three seasons. Matagiese won the home run derby at the USA PREPS Showcase Camp in Palm Desert Calif. earlier this year and has played in several mainland tournaments—as well as the Prague Tournament Cup in the Czech Republic. Her brother, Siasau, is currently a junior defensive lineman for the UH football team and she is a cousin of All-American Jessica Iwata. She is the fourth player from Waimea to play softball for the Rainbow Wahine—including associate head coach Dee Wisneski, Laynie Sueyasu and Ali Rapanot.
 
“Ulu has a very strong bat and has really blossomed as a hitter. She has home run potential and has great knowledge of the game,” says Coolen.
 
Morales is a 5-8 power pitcher out of Indio High School in Indio, Calif. Last year as a junior she posted an 11-5 record with a .069 ERA and 117 strike outs in 81 innings pitched. At the plate she has been a juggernaut on offense, she hit .479 (46-for-96) with 40 runs scored with a team-high 62 RBI with 11 doubles and 20 home runs. Morales has earned first team, all-league accolades for the past three seasons and was the MVP of the league this past season. This past season, she was named to two all-tournament teams and was selected as an ESPN Cal State Athlete of the Week.
 
“As a pitcher, Heather has command of a variety of pitches in her arsenal. She can throw a rise, drop, curve, and change,” explain Coolen. “She is very agile and versatile player who will hit for herself as a pitcher and can hit at the No. 4-to-No. 8 spot in the lineup.”
 
Willmon is a 5-8 catcher/third baseman out of Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif. She hit .448 (30-for-67) as a junior with 23 RBI. She also had three doubles, three triples and eight home runs on the season for a .940 slugging percentage for the Eagles. Willmon has been a three-time all-league selection; two-time all-city pick; and was last year's Most Valuable Player for Pleasant Grove.
 
“Lindsey has a strong arm and calls a good game and was the catcher for Hitchcock on the SoCal Choppers club team,” says Coolen. “She also plays a solid third base and has a strong bat. She is a confident player who is versatile and can be a power hitter.”