Oranger verbals to UTEP

One visit to the campus of the University of Texas at El Paso was all Kayla Oranger needed.

Oranger, Burlington Central's speedy senior shortstop who was the honorary co-captain of the Daily Herald's 2008 Fox Valley All-Area softball team, made a verbal commitment Sunday night to attend UTEP and play softball on a full scholarship.

"The campus is absolutely gorgeous," said Oranger Sunday night after returning from a weekend visit to El Paso, where she and her dad, Lowell, attended the UTEP vs. Texas football game on Saturday as part of a record crowd of over 53,000.

The buildings are all like brand new and they're like apartments - they're unbelievable. They offered me a full ride and I couldn't turn that down. I never thought that would happen. I almost passed out."

Oranger hit .496 last season with 46 runs scored and 43 stolen bases for a BC team that won both conference and regional titles. She also played this summer for the Bartlett Silver Hawks 18U team that won the ASA Northern National championship.

UTEP started its softball program in 2004 and is a member of Conference USA. Coach James and Kathleen Rodriguez's Miners were 30-24 last season and 10-14 in C-USA.