Former Galt High pitcher Amanda Monday signs with Idaho State

There are some places like home. Just ask Amanda Monday.

Amanda Monday

The former Galt High softball pitcher was heavily recruited after two sensational seasons at Sacramento City College and she recently selected Idaho State based on one main criteria.

"It's another small town like Galt," Monday said during a phone conversation from Pocatello, Idaho on Tuesday afternoon.

"The class sizes are also small and it seems like a good school and program," said Monday, who chose Idaho State over New Mexico State.

She also received interest from Humboldt State, Stanislaus State, Sonoma State and numerous schools back east.

Idaho State also offered an opportunity for Monday to contribute to a program that is only in its third year. The Bengals, who are not affiliated with a conference, will be eligible for the NCAA tournament this year.

"I should start and I'll have a very large pitching load," said Monday, who was Sac City's ace the past two years.

She was 22-5 in her freshman season (1.21 ERA, 116 Ks, 55 walks) and led the Panthers to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament. Monday was even more dominant in her sophomore campaign, going 36-5 (0.71 ERA, 251,000s, 49 walks) and earning NorCal Pitcher of the Year honors after leading the team to a third-place finish in the state.

"I first coached her when she was a junior and she's gotten better and better," Galt High coach Jim Briggs said of Monday, who was a two-time all-league player with the Warriors.

"She was a workhorse at Galt and I know she'll do well at Idaho State."

Monday said it will be tough to match her success at Sac City, but she plans to give it her best shot.

"It will be really hard because I'll be facing tougher teams. You just have to go out and do your best. I wanted to win a state championship both years (at Sac City) and I got close."

Monday, who has volunteered and worked at care homes in Galt, said she plans to major in special education and work with people that have developmental disabilities.