After a season where she recorded a superb .968 fielding percentage and earned a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Rawlings Gold Glove recipient, middle infielder Ayiana Cardenas (Walnut HS) has signed with La Sierra University in Riverside. She's the second Falcon to make her four-year commitment, as outfielder Morgan Fontela signed with the University of Hawai'i at Hilo.

Moving to shortstop after playing her freshman year at second base, Cardenas (pictured, left) committed just four errors on the year and started every game of the season. She had 120 total chances and recorded 65 putouts to go along with 51 defensive assists. She was part of a Falcons team that had a superb .971 fielding percentage on the year, which ranked sixth in the state and fourth in Southern California.

Also a producer at the plate, Cardenas batted .296 with 11 doubles at 22 RBI, which included a 3-for-4 playoff game with a pair of doubles and four RBI against Citrus College. She also had a 3-for-4 game against Bakersfield College.

Cardenas will be joining a Golden Eagles team that went 14-31 on the year in 2025 and competed in the three-team Cal Pac Conference. They are looking to replace eight graduating seniors, with Cardenas looked upon as someone who can immediately step in a play a key role.