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Taylorsville • Salt Lake Community College catcher KyRae Kogianes remembers every home run. Her favorite, admittedly, was a recent grand slam on her third trip around the bases against Scottsdale College in early February.

"When you hit three [homers] in the game, you feel pretty cool," Kogianes said of her 12-RBI performance.

For those familiar with Kogianes, who was one of the top power hitters in the state while prepping at Riverton, her success this season at SLCC — leading the Bruins with 16 home runs, ranking 11th nationally — is expected.

The problem, however, is those familiar with Kogianes were few and far between before this season. Recruiters overlooked her ability — a characteristic she shares with many of her teammates who went unnoticed by collegiate suitors despite strong, and in some instances, record-breaking high school careers.

Now they demand attention as the nationally No. 1-ranked softball program in the NJCAA with an overall record of 43-7.

"I think part of the reason we are so good is these guys believe they are very good, and they do believe they can play Division I," said SLCC coach Cyndee Bennett.

Pitcher Baylee Reeves went 31-6 in her final two years at Box Elder. Raeana Gall established the UHSAA single-season record with 19 doubles her senior year at Layton. Paige Reimann and Lauren Frailey collectively won 87 games at Bingham and Tooele. Courtney Platt pitched Riverton to 21 victories. The list of accolades goes on.

"I peaked at the end of my high school career," said Reeves, who is 12-3 in the circle this season. "I was kind of disappointed [about the lack of Division I offers], but at the same time I was just excited to get recruited."

SLCC, a regular atop national polls, developed into a junior college powerhouse by recognizing athletes escaping the eye of Division 1 scouts, and in a sport dominated by programs practicing softball year-round in warm-weather states, it profited off the underwhelming opinion of local prospects. This season, 14 of the 19 players on SLCC's roster are homegrown.

"We're like, 'Oh those California teams, they're so overrated. Utah kids, let's show them up,'" Kogianes said. "Show them we're actually good instead [of] being underrated like we normally are. I think everyone has to prove something, especially SLCC. We always got to keep proving [ourselves]."

Many aspiring preps determined to succeed at the highest level of their sports view the junior college route in a negative light. It's not as sexy. But SLCC is not the Holy Cross to Rudy Ruettiger's Notre Dame. It provides ample opportunity to experience live-game action and receive instructive coaching by an esteemed staff with a proven record of developing future Division I talent.

"I think coming to SLCC was one of the best decisions I've ever made," said Gall, who increased her power with 11 home runs this season. "Everybody hopes to go to a D-I, but I think going here was one of the best decisions ever."

SLCC continues to grow into a desired destination. The Bruins won 83 percent of their games the previous six years capturing five Scenic West titles while finishing second nationally three times.

"There's a lot of pride playing at Salt Lake Community College," Bennett says. "This is a way to get to their ultimate dream school, and for Utah players to be recruited to SLCC is an honor."

Reeves, who is verbally committed to continue her career at Weber State next year, added: "Its always been a really good program. Its always had a bunch of girls that have gone different places. It's a really good school, and I've always dreamed of coming here."

This season has a special aroma attached with it. The Bruins evolved by enduring their worst season since 2006 in Bennett's first year steering the reins in 2014. Now, with depth in the bullpen and sluggers stationed throughout the lineup, SLCC is positioned to contend for the national title once again with its seasoned roster.

"Yes," Bennett said bluntly when asked if it would be a disappointment to finish anything less than champions. "That's our goal."

In Friday's Scenic West championship-clinching matchup against the fifth-ranked College of Southern Idaho, SLCC trailed before Megan Reed corked a grand slam in the sixth. When the Bruins secured the winning out in the ensuing inning, the celebration was rather subdued. There weren't any Gatorade showers, dogpiles, or fireworks. A routine announcement from the loudspeakers sufficed, because for those familiar with this group, success is expected.

Twitter: @trevorphibbs —

SLCC vs. Snow or Western Nevada

O at Norma Carr Field, Taylorsville Thursday, 2:30 p.m.

• Salt Lake Community College is hosting the NJCAA's Region 18 softball tournament.