ARTESIA, N.M. (Nov. 10, 2017) – Kali Crandall, one of New Mexico's top high school players, has signed a letter of intent to play college softball at Oklahoma Christian, OC coach Tom Heath said Friday.

In three seasons, the 5-foot-7 Crandall has rolled up quite a record in New Mexico. She led Dexter High School to consecutive Class 3A titles as a freshman and sophomore (throwing a one-hitter in the title game the latter year) before transferring to Class 5A Artesia High School, where she helped her team to a state runner-up finish as a junior.

For Artesia in 2017, she went 11-1 in the circle with a 0.92 ERA and 103 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 68 2/3 innings pitched. At the plate, she hit .480 with 38 RBIs and led all New Mexico prep players with 15 home runs, including two in the 5A state championship game. She finished with a slugging percentage of 1.080.

Crandall has earned New Mexico High School Coaches Association All-State honors four times – as an eighth-grader playing first base in 2014 and as a pitcher in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

"We are very pleased that Kali decided to sign with Oklahoma Christian," Heath said. "She is a very good pitcher and can hit the ball with power. She broke the home run record in New Mexico with 15 home runs as a junior and she can also play first base. We look for Kali to be an impact player her freshman year."

Crandall is the fourth player to sign with OC for the 2019 season, joining Sierra Schultz of Schertz, Texas; Logan Menzies of Harper, Texas; and Sydney Smith of Fort Worth, Texas.

They will join a softball program on a sustained run of success as it enters its third season as a full member of NCAA Division II. OC was the National Christian College Athletic Association runner-up in 2014 and 2015 and qualified for the Heartland Conference Championship tournament in both 2016 and 2017, its first two seasons of eligibility to do so. The Lady Eagles finished 33-23 last season.