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Brooke Cantillo - Mississippi State Softball - photo: hailstate.comJanuary 03, 2017 | hailstate.com
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A star on the California softball scene will call Starkville her home for the next four seasons, as Vann Stuedeman announced the signing of Lake Elsinore, Calif., native Brooke Cantillo to the fourth-ranked 2017 recruiting class.

“Brooke is the softball definition of a gym rat; she lives at the ball park,” Stuedeman said. “Her summer vacation choice was a trip to the SEC Tournament in Starkville last year. Every coach loves a kid that is passionate about the game and her team. Brooke is that kid. She has taken it upon herself to invest in her future teammates by seeking them out at tournaments even when she is not participating in the tournament.

“She will bring something far more valuable than her softball skills from California when she comes. Although, her skills are excellent and I look forward to seeing her perusing the outfield like a lioness hunting her prey. She will bring the glue.”

Ranked as high as 43rd by Flo Softball, Cantillo becomes the eighth member of the Bulldogs’ 2017 class.

“I knew I was home once I stepped on campus,” Cantillo said. “The astounding hospitality and family atmosphere felt throughout State was immeasurable to anything I’ve experienced elsewhere. I fell in love with the ringing of cowbells, the amazing facilities and everything else in between. I can’t wait to spend my next four years under a great coaching staff, in the best conference and at the perfect home away from home.”

Cantillo is entering her senior season as a standout outfielder for Joe Barragan and the Foothill High School Knights. A three-time First Team All-League player, Cantillo has been a threat at the plate and in the field since her freshman season in 2014.

In that first campaign, Cantillo tallied a .333 clip and .500 on-base percentage, while hitting .323 and earning an OBP of .417 in league play. Those numbers skyrocketed in 2015, as a .500 batting average and .571 OBP (.421 BA, .389 OBP in league play) paced the Knights to a North Hills League Championship.

Junior year saw the Knights’ team captain continue her strong play, as a .417 average, coupled with a .500 on-base percentage, landed her First Team North Hills All-League honors for the third-straight year. She also reeled in All-Tournament Team laurels at the Michelle Carew Classic, while leading the Knights to the Diamond Bar Tournament title and their second-straight North Hills League Championship.

Cantillo is a star in travel ball as well, playing for coach Mel Sievers and the CA Cruisers. She previously played for the CA Explosion, led by coach Greg Borzilleri.

Success for Cantillo extends beyond the diamond, as the newest addition to the Bulldog family is also a star in the classroom. She has earned Principle Honor Roll honors in seven semesters so far in her high school career. She has also garnered Scholar Athlete laurels from 2014-16.

The Cantillo family is no stranger to the dominating landscape that is SEC softball. Brooke will become the third member of her family to play softball in the top conference in the nation. Her sisters Chelsea (Georgia, 2005-09) and Taylor “RT” Cantillo (Ole Miss, 2010-14) were also stars on the diamond. RT went on to play professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch league for the Chicago Bandits (2014-15).

The daughter of Joe and Rosie Cantillo, Brooke plans on majoring in biological sciences, with a pre-med emphasis. When not on the field, Cantillo enjoys watching sports, playing with dogs, camping, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

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