For the past month, SF State's softball team has clicked. The Gators won seven out of 11 games and put together a six-game winning streak. You can attribute this success to the team’s great pitching, timely hitting, or stellar defense. You could also thank Agoura High School.

Even though Agoura High is located just north of Los Angeles, it means a lot to the Gators, as the school helped produce three of SF State’s top players. After playing there together for three years, pitcher Holly Pearce, outfielder Elissa Reizman, and shortstop and outfielder Kristin Bartholamay are all now playing for the Gators.

"I am fortunate enough to have had the girls for all of Kristin and Elissa's high school career and for only three of Holly's," Agoura High School softball head coach Brandy Brennan said. "I absolutely miss Holly Pearce playing for Agoura as well as the others."

Pearce, a sophomore, explained that it is nice to be reunited with her two close friends, entering their freshmen year of college.

“When I first came up here (San Francisco) I didn’t know anyone,” Pearce said. “This year it’s nice to be on the mound, turn around, and see two of the players that I have played so long with.”

Along with playing together at Agoura, the three played on all-star teams in little league as well. Bartholamay and Reizman have known each other since elementary school and they then met Pearce in junior high. The three have shared many great memories together including making a team video for the seniors at Agoura when the three of them were still underclassmen.

“Making the team video was definitely one of my favorite memories,” Reizman said while laughing. “We just basically all hung out together and made this video that showed everyone else’s quirks on the team.”

"Holly was one of my favorite all time players because she reminded me of myself in high school," Brennan said. "I loved her strong work ethic, and the respect she showed for her teammates and coaches. She was a leader by example. She was not the most vocal player, but she did set the tone on the mound. Holly pitched the stongest her senior year. One of her highlights was going 22 innings against Westlake (our rivals) and we called the game due to darkness. She went the distance and only gave up a 5 hits."

Pearce explains that she choose SF State because it was far enough away from home, but still close enough for her to go back when she felt like it.

“I was kind of sick of Agoura,” Pearce said. “Everyone there seems to be the same as everyone else, whether it’s what they do or that they all dress the same. San Francisco just seemed different and there is just so much more to do here.”

After a year at SF State, Pearce got the good news that her former teammates Bartholamay and Reizman would be joining her.

“When we came on our recruiting trip we both stayed with Holly,” Reizman said. “She basically showed us around and told us what she liked about SF State.”

“I decided to come here because it was nice that I would already know someone and the school is really pretty and the atmosphere is great,” Bartholamay said.

"Elissa Reizman was injured with knee complications most of high school, but was able to play her senior year in centerfield. She did a good job for us," Brennan said. "Kristin started Varsity as a freshman and continued to do well at short stop her senior year. Her bat really came alive for us her senior year."

Together again, the teammates then all started an intense off-season workout program which included a personal trainer for the three of them. SF State head coach Kristi Lansford explained that it really paid off for them including Pearce, who Lansford says her arm is now stronger than she has ever seen it.

Bartholamay was ready for college. And, as she explained, she found there were actually some advantages from playing college ball to playing in high school.

“There were some differences between the two but I think I was ready for them. For starters, the mound is three feet farther away from home plate in college, so it’s easier to pick up the location and type of pitch that is coming at you when you’re hitting,” Bartholamay said.

“I think we were all ready for college ball,” Pearce said. “Coach Lansford works us hard in practice but our softball coach at Agoura (Brennan) worked us pretty hard as well so we were used to it.”

The practice has helped these players as they all are enjoying their seasons so far. Pearce is 2-6 but has a great earned run average of only 3.13 while striking out 24. Bartholamay is currently a SF State top performer as she is batting .229 (fifth), has six runs scored (2nd), three stolen bases (1st), and has an on base percentage of .289 (5th). Reizman is batting .103 but is fourth on her team with five runs scored. All three look to be important parts of the team for the next three years.

While not on the baseball field the three are mostly likely doing schoolwork. Pearce is majoring in psychology, Bartholamay in biology, and Reizman in kinesiology. If they’re not doing that, more than likely they are all hanging out with each other.

“Our whole team is friends and hangs out together, but the three of us see a lot of each other since we live right across the street from each other in Park Merced,” Pearce said.

"The girls were always close friends growing up and have always hung out together," Brennan said. "Since they all live near each other, have the same friends, and same interests, I can imagine they are still tightly bonded through this sport. It is nice to know they are doing so well."