Contact: Tim Ertle

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State University softball team has announced the signing of junior college All-American Janessa Rivera-Keahi, a transfer from Monterey Peninsula College in California who will join the team starting with the 2013 season. The middle infielder/outfielder comes to the program with two years of eligibility remaining.

"We are very excited about a player like Janessa joining our program," head coach Angie Nicholson said. "The fact that she is seasoned and comes in as a junior who has already experienced the college game is great to combine with the seven freshmen that will also start in the fall ."

Aside from the intangibles, Nicholson is excited about what Rivera-Keahi brings between the lines.

"She is a speedy, athletic player who is going to be able to jump right in and fill in for us in the middle of the field. Janessa has great hands and knows how to play the game and she'll come in as a leader and I expect her to be able to help lead this team to success."

After helping Henry Perrine Baldwin High School in Hawaii to four state tournaments - including a state crown in 2007 - Rivera-Keahi excelled at Monterey Peninsula during the 2010 and 2012 seasons. She earned honorable mention Coast Conference status as a freshman and racked up All-American honors this year after hitting .451 with four homers, 13 triples and 25 RBI.