JC Clayton, a senior at San Benito High School, signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball next year at BYU. Clayton, who plays second base for San Benito, led the Lady 'Balers in hits last season. San Benito won the Central Coast Section for the third year in a row.
JC Clayton, who plays second base for the San Benito Lady 'Balers, fell in love with the location in Provo, Utah and signed a National Letter of Intent to BYU next season, where she will receive a full ride to play softball for the Cougars.
"I really like the location and the area with the mountains," the senior Clayton said. "It's close to home. The campus is beautiful. The facilities are amazing and I really love the school, in general."
Well, maybe sometimes choices are that easy.
Most assuredly not a city girl, though, Clayton had looks from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, two locales that were not her ideal location.
"I'm not a big city person and I'm not in love with Las Vegas," she said. "The big city and the heat, I'm not a fan of."
Clayton's coach at San Benito, Scott Smith, says his second baseman is so good that she could have gone just about anywhere for college.
"I think that her softball ability allows her to play almost anywhere. She's that good," said Smith, who noted the importance a good education was for Clayton. "I think they have a top-notch program (at BYU) and JC will definitely raise the level of play.
"She'll definitely help them get to the tournament, and who knows ..."
BYU compiled a 43-22 record last season, and qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the third straight year.
Smith said Clayton's game will translate rather well to the next level, where softball is a speed game.
And, boy, is Clayton fast. As San Benito's leadoff hitter last season, she led the team in hits with her superb slapping ability and was usually a threat to both steal and score.
And despite her leadoff hitter position in the lineup, Clayton tied for the lead in home runs last year on San Benito.
"She's as fast as anyone in the school," Smith said. "She'll be an impact player.
"BYU is so lucky to have her. A good kid, coachable, and she learns so fast."
Clayton learned of BYUs interest when she was in Colorado for a softball tournament with her club team, the Salinas Wildcats.
"I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to BYU, but it started looking better and better," Clayton said.
A paid education can sometimes have that effect.
Clayton took an unofficial visit in April of her junior year and returned for an official visit in September where she was able to meet coach Gordon Eakin.
She expects to play middle infield at BYU - she plays shortstop for the Wildcats, second base for the Lady 'Balers - and she'll most certainly be competing with a teammate at BYU as the Cougars will graduate just two seniors next year.
Hopefully, she'll be on the field when BYU plays UNLV, where former Lady 'Baler Elena Fata is currently making her presence known.
"We've talked about it already," Clayton said about Fata. "A little rivalry."
Andrew Matheson Andrew Matheson is a sports writer for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 334 or at amatheson@svnewspapers.com.
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The Score: Baler football and boys and girls water polo
