THIS YEAR: Junior Leslie-Anne Picone is fighting for a spot in the infield after having surgery on her right arm ... Could be a key component for the Cougar defense and offense ... A singles hitter with the potential to drive the ball as she gets stronger and as the season unfolds.

2010 (sophomore): Started at shortstop or designated player in 35 of the Cougars' 49 games during her 2009 sophomore season ... At the plate had 27 hits, 12 RBIs, 5 doubles, and 2 triples giving to produce a .293 batting average... Had 8 multiple-hit games, including a 3-for-4 performance with 2 RBIs in a win over Kenyon ... In the GSAC Tournament against Biola, pushed across the only 2 runs scored by the Cougars'... Played sparingly toward the end of the season because of an arm injury.

2009 (freshman): Appeared in 28 of the Cougars' 49 games, starting at shortstop in all 28 she played ... Had plate appearances in just 9 games and went 7-for-25 ... In a season-opening sweep of Chaminade, went 4-for-7 with 4 RBIs, 3 of which came on a bases loaded triple in just her second collegiate game ... Was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and 2 runs in win over Middlebury ... Was efficient with her hits, producing 7 RBIs on just 7 hits.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played 4 seasons of varsity softball for head coach Dave Piper at Capital Christian High in Sacramento, Calif. ... Was a 4-year starter at shortstop and batted .364 in a 91-game career ... Was a 4-time All-Golden Empire League athletic and academic selection ... Was a 3-time Sacramento Bee all-metro honoree ... Named team defensive MVP 3 straight years ... As a 2008 senior batted .403 (31-for-77) for the 15-14 and league-champion Cougars with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 26 runs scored in 29 games played ... Was a perfect 11-for-11 on stolen base attempts ... Went a combined 4-for-6 with 4 runs and 8 RBIs in back-to-back victories over San Juan and Highlands highs ... Two weeks later went a combined 8-for-8 with 8 runs and 2 RBIs vs. the same 2 schools ... Batted .609 (28-for-46) over the final 17 games of the season ... As a 2007 junior batted .339 (19-for-56) in 19 games with a 5 triples and 13 RBIs for the 16-11 Cougars who finished as the CIF runner-up ... Missed the final 6 games with an injury ... Went 3-for-3 with 3 runs and 3 RBIs in a win over Bret Harte High ... As a 2006 sophomore appeared in 22 of the 14-8 Cougars' games, batting .379 (25-for-66) with 2 triples, 6 doubles and 19 RBIs ... Went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs in a win over Lindhurst High ... As a 2005 freshman batted .322 (19-for-59) with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 2 home runs for the 14-10 Cougars ... Also lettered 2 seasons in basketball, earning all-league first team honors as a junior and senior while playing on a pair of Golden Empire League championship teams ... As a junior, played a key role on a Cougar team that advanced to the CIF SAC-Joaquin championship game ... Was a co-recipient of the 2007-08 Capital Christian scholar-athlete award.

PERSONAL: Born Oct. 17, 1990 ... Parents are Marty (sheriff sergeant) and Kathy Picone (tuition manager) ... Has 1 brother (Michael) ... Majoring in pre-engineering ... Her dad played baseball in junior college ... Her grandfather played in the New York Yankees' farm system and her uncle in the Angels' system ... Also played travel softball for the Foothill Gold, Sacramento Dynasty, Roseville Heat, California Sting and Mizuno All-American 18 Gold ... Enjoys reading and solving Sudoku puzzles.