CARLIN — Carlin senior Danyel Micheli — a mainstay for the Lady Railroaders’ softball program — has elected to continue her career at the collegiate level.
After speaking with several programs — including Napa Valley College and Folsom Lake College — Micheli has chosen to attend and play softball for Mendocino College, in Ukiah, California.
The Lady Eagles are a member of the California Community College Athletic Association and compete in the Bay Valley Conference, currently possessing an 11-19 overall record and a 6-6 mark in conference play.
Micheli visited the campus on April 4 and loved the school, the softball program, the relationship she built with head coach Doug Wingler and the surrounding area.
“It’s beautiful, there are a lot of trees. The team and the coaches have a good sense of community and were very welcoming,” she said. “The facilities are very nice.”
People are also reading…
While in school, Micheli plans to study political science and intends to become an attorney — potentially thinking of moving onto either Cal Northern School of Law (Chico) or the Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.
As for her role with the Mendocino College softball program, Micheli expects to pitch and play first and third base.
“I’m looking forward to becoming a part of the team, connecting with the program and improving my pitching,” Micheli said.
“I want to work on different pitches — my rise ball, drop ball — and learn how to change planes. I want to hit more balls and become a better softball player.”
Carlin head coach Kayla Kinney has already noted Micheli’s improvement on the field since entering as a freshman during the COVID-19 season.
“She’s very confident and owns the mound. I think she was trying to prove herself early. She plays at a higher level and makes everyone step up their games,” Kinney said. “Her leadership has been integral and has increased the last few years. She’s great anywhere in the field, she’s extremely versatile and is a role model of field awareness.”
High School Career
Freshman Year
As a freshman, Micheli went 1-0 in the circle in two appearances — posting a 4.20 ERA with 11 strikeouts and no walks over 10 innings of work.
At the plate, she hit .636 with a double, a home run and five RBI through three contests — scoring six runs of her own.
On the year, the Lady Railroaders finished 4-7 overall and 1-3 in the 1A North prior to the season ending due to the pandemic.
Sophomore Year
As a sophomore — in her first full season of varsity action — Micheli recorded a 1-0 record in the circle with a 5.39 ERA across four appearances.
In 24-2/3 innings, she struck out 36 batters and handed out just seven walks — limiting opponents to a .292 average.
In 14 at-bats, she hit a ridiculous .786 with a double, a triple and a dinger — driving in eight runs and scoring three — earning a 1st-Team All-League selection.
Carlin finished the season with a 4-9 record and went 3-4 in the 1A North.
Junior Year
In her third season, Micheli took her game and the Lady Railroaders to different heights — named a captain for the first time.
Carlin posted an 11-9 record and an 11-7 mark in the 1A North, finishing fifth in the league and one spot outside of a berth to the regional tournament.
Personally, she pitched her way to a winning record of 9-7 with a 3.69 ERA.
Across 81-2/3 frames, she punched out 131 batters and walked 27 and held opponents to a .277 batting average.
For her performance, she was named the Pitcher of the Year for the league.
Micheli hit the ball at a .488 clip, smacked two doubles and legged out a triple — driving in 21 runs.
Senior Year
Currently, the Lady Railroaders are 8-4 on the season and are fourth in the 1A North with a 3-2 mark in league play.
In her second season as a captain, Micheli has hurled her way to a 6-2 record in the circle and has a 2.49 ERA.
Through 50-2/3 innings, she has fanned 105 batters and walked only 15 — opponents hitting the ball at just .208 against Micheli.
At the dish, Micheli has hit her stride — upping her batting average to an impressive .688 with four doubles and a deep shot.
She has scored 17 runs and driven in 16.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Danyel Micheli on her high school achievements — both in the field and in the classroom — and best wishes as she attempts to produce success on the diamond and toward her career while she attends Mendocino College.
