DURANGO, Colo. — Fort Lewis College signed three softball players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period (Nov. 9-16, 2011), second-year head coach Kira Zeiter announced recently.

The trio includes Victoria Johnson, Nikki Klepfer, and Jeovanna Rios.

Johnson is a 5-foot-8 pitcher from Ridgeview High School in Bakersfield, Calif. The daughter of Anthony and Sheila Johnson of Bakersfield, Johnson will graduate this spring. She has yet to decide what she'll study at Fort Lewis.

“Victoria is a power pitcher and hitter who should bring more pitching depth to our roster. She has full arsenal of pitches with a solid change-up to put batters away.

Klepfer is a 5-foot-11 first baseman from West Ranch High School in Santa Clarita, Calif. She is a four-year starter for the Wildcats who is a team captain and Scholar-Athlete Award recipient who will graduate this spring. The daughter of Mike and Maureen Klepfer of Santa Clarita, she has yet to declare a major.

“Nikki is a hitter who will bring more power to our lineup. She's a right handed first baseman who has long reach and can effectively play the position.”

Johnson and Klepfer are teammates on So Cal 3D, a nationally-ranked club team from the Los Angeles area.

“I've watched them play for the past two years,” said Zeiter. “I'm looking forward to them having immediate impact in our program.”

Rios is a 5-foot-4 catcher and second baseman from Bishop Amat Memorial High School in West Covina, Calif. A two-year starter for the Lancers, she made the varsity team as a freshman and has earned CIF All-Academic honorable mention during her career. The daughter of Mario Rios of Covina and Lucy Rios of West Covina, she has yet to declare a major.

“Jeovanna is another power hitter who will add more depth to our catching position. She plays on the solid, Pam Newton-coached Cal Lite club team that competes regularly at the national level. She should bring that experience with her to Fort Lewis.”

Although the trio won't start playing for the Skyhawks until the 2013 season, their future teammates on the current FLC softball squad begin their 2012 campaign on Feb. 10 at the Desert Stinger, hosted by Montana State-Billings in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Feb. 10-12. Fort Lewis games include Upper Iowa (12:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10), Mary (N.D.) (3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10), Cameron (Okla.) (3 p.m.., Saturday, Feb. 11), St. Cloud State (Minn.) (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 11) and Minot State (N.D.) (3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 12).