KIRTLAND — Janay Zamora was a constant in the middle of a potent Kirtland Central lineup this past softball season, posting a monstrous batting average of .514 while achieving state records with 16 doubles and six triples.

That impressive display has earned Zamora the opportunity to play softball next season at New Mexico Highlands University, as the recent KCHS graduate signed a national Letter-of-Intent on Tuesday to join the Cowgirls.

"I'm pretty excited about it," Zamora said, while expressing a slight amount of nervousness about the challenge to come. "I don't think I'll have trouble playing softball, because I love to play, but going to school will be tough."

Zamora, who will study sports medicine at the Las Vegas school, came into her own during her senior year under Lady Broncos coach Roy Johnson. She batted third in the order with her ability to drive in runs almost at will, and helped lead KC to a pair of wins in the Class 4A state tournament.

"She's got a good work ethic, she works hard and she's there every day," Johnson said. "She puts in lots of effort, and I think that will carry over and make her an even better college player than she was a high school player."

Any improvement over what she did as a senior would turn her into one of the elite hitters in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Her 16 doubles tied the state record set in 2006 by Christina Chavez of Los Alamos — who is New Mexico's career leader in both doubles and total hits. Zamora also tied Alamogordo's Nadine Melendrez for the third-most triples in a season.

While her ability to hit the ball is undeniable, Zamora will be equally focused on her studies over the next four years. The course load for a sports medicine major is far from easy, and she also has her sights set beyond that.

"I might be a doctor later," she said. "There's a lot of sciences, like chemistry, biology and anatomy. I'll just have to see how it goes, but I think I'll be able to handle it. I think it will be tough, but taking hard classes in high school has prepared me, so I don't think it will be too hard."

Zamora's drive helped her become a solid infielder at Kirtland, where she usually started at third base or shortstop. She likely will move to the outfield for Highlands, but no matter where she plays, she will take the lessons she learned from Johnson as well as from her father, Eric Zamora, to heart when she steps on the playing field.

"I think playing for Coach Johnson has helped me tremendously," she said, noting his energetic style. "He's a great coach, and I learned a lot from him."

Highlands coach Shellie Broyles is entering her second year at the helm for the Cowgirls, though Johnson is very familiar with the former Western New Mexico star from her days at Alamogordo High. Given Broyles' background as a former Triple Crown winner in the Pacific West Conference as well as ranking sixth on the New Mexico Activities Association's list of hits in a single season, Johnson expects some of her hitting expertise to rub off on Zamora.

"With the hard work and stuff she puts in, she'll be able to work with (Broyles) for the next four years and become a better player in college," Johnson said. "I figure (Zamora) will probably be in the three or four-hole right off the bat, because she drives in runs. She's got a good eye and doesn't strike out very often, and that's what college coaches are looking for."

The soft-spoken Zamora was sure to mention all those who helped her become what the Cowgirls were seeking as they build their program.

"I'd like to thank Coach Johnson, my dad, my family, and Kenny Specer and Frank Martinez, who coached me when I was younger," she concluded. "Every one of them has added a lot and made me a better player, a better person and a better student."