Redshirt junior pitcher Cielo Meza has decided to transfer to Arizona State after spending the past three seasons at Long Beach State University.

Following an injury-shortened true freshman year, Meza has held an ERA below 2.00 in her past two seasons in the circle. This year, the 49ers ace held a 22-5 record with 219 strikeouts and a 1.46 ERA.

After informing the LBSU coaching staff of her intention to transfer, Meza took visits to Utah, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Arizona State, before committing to the Sun Devils on June 25. Meza is able to play immediately for ASU coach Trisha Ford next season, with two years total eligibility remaining.

While Meza recognizes that Long Beach was where she needed to be for the last three years, she made the decision following this past season that she wanted to play for a Power Five school.

Meza said breaking the news to 49ers coach Kim Sowder in their end-of-year meeting was one of the most difficult parts of the process.

“Coach Kim Sowder did an amazing job with everything I needed regarding my injury my freshman year at Long Beach," Meza said. "I’m very thankful for everything she did for me. I have absolutely no regrets going to Long Beach. I am still sad about it... leaving the girls that were awesome who supported me.”

As a club player, Meza saw many of her Bownet teammates commit to Power Five schools as early as their eighth-grade years. She eagerly awaited similar offers; however, it wasn't until she approached her junior year of high school that she finally started to receive attention from coaches

That includes Sowder, who saw Meza pitch and decided to make an offer. Meza accepted the offer to stay closer to home and relieve the stress of being uncommitted.

Meza's freshman year was a rollercoaster of emotion at Long Beach. The team doctor discovered Meza had a rotator cuff tear following a game against UCLA, forcing her to take a medical redshirt year. The medical team and training staff took great care of Meza during the most challenging period of her softball career. 

“I have a brand new shoulder now," Meza said. "I really can’t thank them enough. They made me the pitcher that I am today and I am super thankful.”

In announcing her transfer to ASU, Meza also wanted to say thank you to her former teammates, coaches, family, and anyone else who has supported her over the years:

"I’d like to thank my whole family for being there for me in every step of the way. From the beginning of travel ball in eighth grade up until this day, my dad has caught every pitching lesson and bullpen in between practices and games. My mom, who has always been my biggest cheerleader and supporter. My pitching coach, Kathy Ayala, who’s been the best mentor I could have ever asked for. 

"All my travel ball coaches who have taught me what it means to be a complete competitor. Thank you to all the college coaches who have presented to me an opportunity to play for them. 

"Thank you to all my teammates from travel ball, high school, the Mexican national team, and from my first three years at Long Beach State. All of my past and current teammates have taught me to be a selfless player and what it means to be a teammate. I’m so extremely thankful for the opportunity to play my last two years of my collegiate career at Arizona State. I can’t wait to share new experiences with this special team Coach Ford has built." 

- Cielo Meza