Bio

Miranda Bleisch was born and raised in Wassenaarr, Netherlands and in 1983 at the age
of nine began to play softball. By 1996 her skills as a pitcher and overall player were so
advanced that she was invited to play for the Dutch National Team. For two years she
competed internationally playing in the European Championships in the Czech Republic,
the Canadian Cup, USA Tour, and the World Championships in Japan.

In the spring of 1999, Miranda moved to the USA to play softball and attend Southwestern College. She says, “I cannot imagine starting off my California dream at a
better place than SWC. From day one I felt at home. My coaches Steve Miner and Bruce Adams were amazing!” Unfortunately, during her first season against San Diego City, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament, underwent surgery and endured a long rehabilitation spending many hours in the training room with Jim “Hambone” who encouraged her and became a lifetime friend.

In 2000 Miranda returned to pitch for SWC, and for the first time the Jags beat 14 time defending Pacific Coast Conference Champs Palomar. In addition she was selected as Athlete of the Week, earned First Team All Conference and SWC MVP honors. She ranked #9 in strikeouts among CA Community Colleges with 153 innings pitched out of 25 games, and a 3.46 batting average with 17 RBI’s. In 2001, having used her two years of eligibility, she served as an assistant coach in the softball program working with the
pitchers.

In 2002, Miranda transferred to Point Loma Nazarene University with a scholarship eager
to compete at a higher level of play. She did just that! In her first season with the Sea
Lions, her team was GSAC Conference Champion, and she was selected GSAC Pitcher
of the Year, earning All GSAC Region Team honors and completing the season with a
23-3 record, 0.74 ERA, and 117 strikeouts. In 2003 as a senior, her team was again
GSAC Conference Champion, and she was named All GSAC and to the All Region
Team, as well as selected Second Team All American. !
As a community college transfer student athlete, Miranda surpassed the stats of many of
her four year teammates and is still an overall PLNU leader for all time although she
played only two seasons: #1 career ERA (0.81); #2 season wins (26); #4 season ERA
(0.74); #5 career wins (46); #6 season innings pitched (198) and career strikeouts (235);
#7 career inning pitched (357). Even more importantly, she earned her degree in physical
education.

After completing her education, Miranda joined the San Diego State University softball
team in 2005 as an assistant coach working with pitchers and outfielders. In 2007 she
became the Director of Operations for the SDSU softball program directing travel,
equipment, budgets and scheduling. In 2010, as a result of budget cuts, she was laid off.
A mother and homemaker, Miranda currently works as a real estate landlord and
manager.

Miranda married Robert Bleisch who played football at Southwestern College and was a
standout player at San Jose State University where he played for Hall of Fame Coach
Claude Gilbert. They have three amazing children: Hayleigh (8), Bobby (6) and Bryan
(2). Her extended family includes her mom, dad, and brother who live in Holland, and
mother-in-law Perla Bleisch. She also wants to thank Trainer Jim Hammond for his
supper, former Head SWC Football Coach Mike Pompa for introducing her to her
husband, and Steve and Maureen Miner, her American parents.

Miranda Bleisch, for your amazing achievement as a student athlete and your contribution to the softball program and its history, Southwestern College is honored to induct you into the 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations!