Enumclaw High junior Quinn Breidenbach hit another homer at the opening of the 2015 fastpitch season by verbally committing to play at the University of Massachusetts.

She will sign a formal, national letter-of-intent during her senior year.

Breidenbach said she considered both the academic and athletic programs at UMass before committing to the East Coast university.

“I wanted the full college experience,” Breidenbach said. “(University of Massachusetts) balances academics and athletics…. The softball program is family oriented and it’s a D1 school.”

Her plan is to study kinesiology.

“It’s nice to have everything planned out,” she said. “Sometimes I wish it would come faster and sometimes slower.”

Growing up in Enumclaw, the Hornet fastpitch star said she wanted to go someplace different.

Breidenbach said the decision, “shocked my parents. But my dad is a pilot and it’s easy for them to come back and visit. I love them to death.”

She led the Hornets to the 2014 Class 3A state championship game, where the team placed second after losing to Kamiakin from Kennewick. It was the Hornets’ only loss of the season. The girls were both South Puget Sound League 3A and West Central District champions.

This season Breidenbach is driven by one thing – that single loss in the state championship game. Her goal is to return – and win.

“Now it’s revenge,” Breidenbach said. “After coming so close, I want to win so bad. I’m really, really competitive.”

She said the 2015 fastpitch team works very well together and, “the core group is still there.”

Breidenbach said she spent the offseason, “working on my spin and perfecting my drop ball.” Her offseason diligence has paid dividends early.

“I’m really pumped for the season,” Breidenbach said.

It shows.

Breidenbach pitched the Hornets to three wins without giving up a run.

She struck out 14 against Rogers and 11 facing Kentwood, both SPSL 4A teams.

Against Auburn Riverside, Breidenbach allowed no hits or walks in two innings of work. At the plate she hit a double, triple and knocked in six runs during the Hornets’ 19-0 victory.