(April 21) Marysville, Calif. – With 18 wins and no losses in conference play, Yuba College’s softball team took the Golden Valley Conference title this weekend, solidifying the team’s place in institution and regional history. Sophomores Danni Farris, Jerzie Brown and Cheyenne Lamar have emerged as team leaders, guiding the 49ers to a 21-game winning streak, the best of any junior college softball team in California this year.
Danni, a former Division I player who returned home to play for Yuba, is among the very best pitchers in the state. Her pitching counterpart and first baseman, Cheyenne, is on track to be Yuba College’s all-time wins leader. From their fast-pitch post, Danni and Cheyenne alternate as the center of Yuba softball’s defensive universe, aiming to limit the runs the opposing team can make. Seemingly telepathically, they communicate to Jerzie, their anchor and catcher, on what pitch should follow. The remaining Yuba players hold their places around the diamond and the outfield, standing defensive but alert. Countless hours of practice together and the whole team knows what they came to do. The same is true when Yuba is up to bat. With a .509 batting average, Jerzie is widely considered to be one of the most powerful and consistent hitters in the state. She has lived and breathed softball since she was just four years old. “When I am up to bat, I’m going to do damage,” Jerzie promises. “I’m never thinking negatively.”
Her secret sauce isn’t the years at bat, or how she scrutinizes videos of her gameplay when she gets home from practice. It’s because she has a blast. “I think that is truly why I am good at hitting,” she said. “I have fun!”
Danni and Cheyenne agree: Yuba’s softball team takes the game very seriously, but prioritizes having fun, too. They recognize the importance of their bond on gameplay.
“There’s not any kind of arguments or any kind of drama on our team. I think that’s what makes us work well together on the field,” said Danni. The 49ers are committed to clear and direct communication, contributing directly to their strong team chemistry and success on the field. “If anybody has any sort of problem, we need to communicate within the next 24 hours or just let it go,” Danni said.
Cheyenne calls her teammates her “besties.”
“I think everyone’s pretty positive. If someone messes up, we don’t get mad at them. We just pick each other up and stay positive,” Cheyenne said.
All three women have played softball for many years before coming to Yuba College. But Cheyenne and Jerzie both, in their past, have stepped away from the game for extended periods. In those breaks, both of them realized that they wanted to come back to the sport that has given them so much more than just a way to pass the time. Cheyenne played in high school but had no plans to play in college.
Until Head Coach Brian Seva called.
“When Coach Brian [Seva] reached out to me to play for Yuba [College] it gave me a second chance to gain the love back for my sport,” Cheyenne said. “And I found that I still absolutely love it and am even better than I was before. This experience of stepping away made me stronger and helped shape who I am today.”
Jerzie echoed Cheyenne’s sentiments.
“I took a break from softball for a season when I was battling with my love for the sport. A lot of other athletes go through the same exact struggle,” she said. “But during the time I took off, I was always thinking about being back on the field. I realized that the joy softball brings me is greater than all of the moments I’ve felt stressed, angry and upset.”
Her love for the game has grown back bigger and better than ever before.
“Ever since I came back, my passion for softball has grown exponentially, and I have never stopped appreciating the opportunities I have gotten from this game,” said Jerzie.
For Danni, softball is a fundamental part of her identity. Growing up as a Farris meant that softball was revered in her household. She would be one among many in her family to pick up the oversized neon ball, already seasoned at the wind up and rip while in grade school.
Her little sister, Richie Farris, a high school senior at East Nicolaus High School, plans on playing for Yuba College next year.
“My whole entire family is all about softball,” Farris said. “I was just born into it. Everybody in my family coaches, or they play or they have kids who play.”
Softball just feels like home for Danni.
When the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself for Danni to join a Division I team across the country, she knew she had a difficult choice to make. Would softball still feel the same, even if she couldn’t play it around everyone she loves?
After a brief stint at the university, the homesickness felt too heavy and Danni knew she needed to come home.
“I’m a huge family person,” Danni said. “So whenever we’re not playing softball, I’m normally with them, my family.”
Although she wasn’t sure if it was the right decision at the time, Danni says now that she has no regrets coming back and playing for Yuba College.
What’s next for Danni, Cheyenne and Jerzie
As sophomores, this will be Danni, Cheyenne and Jerzie’s last season on the team. Danni has considered coaching in the future, particularly if she has her own children who are interested in the sport. All three plan to transfer to a university to finish their degrees.
Cheyenne said she might play on a club team, but is more interested in focusing on her photography business which she started in the last year and has grown like wildfire. She plans to attend Chico State (CSU Chico). Both Danni and Jerszie are undecided on where they will attend, but the institution’s softball program will be a big part of their decision.
Cheyenne hopes that her softball career reminds others the importance of supporting their team, an example she hoped to model during her time at Yuba, always acting as a reliable source of support and encouragement. For Danni, passion has fueled her softball career, even when it meant stepping away from the university.
“I hope that people remember me as a dedicated passionate player who gave everything possible to the game and how I push my teammates through challenges,” she said. “Either on or off the mound I want my athletic legacy to reflect my great love for the game and a drive to always do my best.”
Jerzie agreed, and while she intends to continue her softball career, she said softball reminds her to never give up or take life too seriously. “It’s easy to be stuck on the negativity but personally, I think living in the positive moments is way better,” she said. “When you play with passion and focus on the positive you will find yourself succeeding more often.”
As their final season wraps, Danni, Jerzie and Cheyenne leave behind more than wins and stats. They leave a culture of positivity, grit and joy — a standard of leadership that younger teammates can aspire to. Whether they continue playing, coaching or building lives beyond the diamond, one thing is certain: their love for the game, and for their teammates has left an indelible mark on Yuba College softball.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren McDermott
lauren@25comm.com
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About Yuba College:
Yuba College is committed to providing equitable student learning and success. We offer degree and certificate programs leading to career and transfer opportunities for our diverse communities. It is our vision to provide innovative and student-centered educational opportunities and services that are equitable and that empower students to become transformative and productive members of our communities.