Cougar Softball Announces Additional Transfers
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College softball team announced additional transfers from its 2025 squad as sophomores Michelle Balcazar (University of Texas Permian Basin) and Jessica Wallace (Nelson University) will continue their intercollegiate careers this upcoming fall. Both were instrumental members of the SMCC team in 2025, helping lead the Cougars to the Region I Division II Tournament Championship Game.
Michelle Balcazar, infielder --- University of Texas Permian Basin
Balcazar appeared in 76 games over the past two seasons for the Cougars, totaling 67 hits, 47 runs, seven doubles, six home runs, 53 RBIs, and 17 walks. As a sophomore, Balcazar batted .321 with 31 runs, 35 hits, one double, four home runs, 33 RBIs, and 12 walks with a .424 on-base and a .440 slugging percentage. She had nine multi-hit games, including a season-high three hits four times. She had eight multi-RBI games, including a season-high four RBIs against Glendale CC on Feb. 15. Balcazar homered against Yavapai College, Phoenix College, Mesa CC, and GCC in 2025 and posted a .914 fielding percentage in 105 chances and was a part of four double plays.
As a freshman in 2024, Balcazar batted .364 with 16 runs, 32 hits, six doubles, two home runs, 20 RBIs, and five walks. She had a season-high three hits four times and scored a season-high two runs three times. Balcazar drove in a season-high five RBIs and finished 2 for 4 with two runs and two home runs against Phoenix College on Apr. 27, and had three RBIs, two hits, and a double at Mesa CC on Apr. 13.
The University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons are an NCAA Division II program that competes in the Lone Star Conference.
Jessica Wallace, infielder --- Nelson University
Wallace spent one season at SMCC, appearing in 33 games as a sophomore in 2025. She batted .270 with 14 runs, 17 hits, four doubles, three home runs, 15 RBIs, and 16 walks, and produced a .439 on-base and .476 slugging percentage. She went 3 for 3 with two runs, a double, and an RBI in a win over Paradise Valley CC on Apr. 26, and homered against Glendale CC (twice) and Mesa CC in the 2025 campaign. Wallace drove in a season-high three RBIs in a win at GCC on Mar. 18, and scored multiple runs three times.
Wallace played at GateWay CC as a freshman in 2024, appearing in 42 games and finishing with 11 home runs, seven doubles, 33 runs, 44 hits, 40 RBIs, and 18 walks.
The Nelson University Warriors are an NCCAA program that competes in the Southwest State Intercollegiate Conference.