NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State head softball coach Kary Kankey announced Wednesday the signing of infielder Gipsy Ramirez (LaVerne, Calif./San Dimas HS), who will begin playing for the Spartans in the 2010 season.

“Gipsy is a fantastic all-around player who will help us in several areas, especially defensively,” Kankey said. “She can play second base, third base or shortstop. She also has a phenomenal arm and will compete for a starting position from the first day of practice in the fall.”

Ramirez, a three-time All-Valle Vista League first-team pick, hit .532 (41-for-77) in 25 games during the 2009 regular season, helping San Dimas to a 21-4 record. The third baseman batted in 21 runs, and had two home runs, two triples and one double. Ramirez also spent time in the pitching circle for San Dimas going 4-0 with three saves in 17 appearances in 2009. She had a 0.69 ERA, tossed 40.2 innings and struck out 38 batters.

Ramirez also leads the league in ERA and ranks fourth in batting average, on-base percentage (.554) and strikeouts.

Ramirez played on the same travel softball team (CA Rage Gold) that produced rising junior Jeanette Sauceda  (Ontario, Calif.) and rising sophomores Elizabeth Castaneda (Montclair, Calif.) and Candice Vasquez (Montclair, Calif.). Ramirez has been the co-captain of her travel team for the last two seasons and is a three-time scholar athlete at San Dimas.