Littlefield Lady Cat senior softball player, Natalia Sanchez, signed her letter of intent to continue her academic and softball career at Clarendon College on Monday during a small ceremony in the commons area at Littlefield High School.
Sanchez thanked God for letting her be here today, as well as giving thanks to her parents, coaches, teammates and future coaches.
“It’s a good feeling and I’m grateful that I have something to look forward to after I finish my last high school season. It’s a huge blessing, this is the game I love to play, and it’s just a huge blessing all thanks to God.”
Athletic Director Bo Bryant addressed the crowd as the signing commenced, saying, “It’s great when we get to have these signing, because we get to show our athletes and kids who aren’t seniors yet that it is possible to go play somewhere else when you work hard and do the things that Nat has done,” Girl’s Coordinator Jarrod Thomas, echoed the sentiment, saying, “I’ve had Nat in off-season athletics and it’s been great to watch her grow into the leader that she has become. She’s been really working hard and she has really earned this opportunity and we’re happy for her to have this opportunity and have the chance to continue playing softball. She will be a great leader and representative of Littlefield when she goes over to Clarendon.”
Littlefield Head Softball Coach Ally Oyanguren also spoke about Natalia, saying, “I’ve only known Natalia for about six months, but the person she is to her teammates, to the whole school, everyone knows Nat has left her mark here at Littlefield. It is not easy to get into college for softball, I played softball in college and it is not easy. I’m super proud of her and excited to see what she does in college.”
Sanchez has been a four-year varsity player for the Lady Cats softball team staring as an infielder and a pitcher. She has also been the “clean-up” hitter in the batting line-up three of her four years as well.
“To be given that opportunity to not only pitch, but to have a chance to play the field as well is a big stepping stone, knowing that they believe in me that much,” she said.
The future Clarendon Bulldog talked about when she knew she wanted to play college softball, saying, “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to play college softball. I used to watch the Women’s College World Series when I was little and I always knew from there that this is what I wanted to do.”
Sanchez talked about what the recruiting process was like for her, stating, “I was in touch with a few other programs. The recruiting process was really stressful, but it was all worth it in the end. Clarendon made me feel right at home from the moment I got there. The college, the atmosphere all just felt really homey, and I knew from there that that is where I wanted to be.”
Sanchez is joining a young Clarendon team.
Clarendon Head Coach Lindy Alexander stated, “It’s been an honor to meet Natalia and her family. I can see the amount of support that she has and it is awesome. Like Coach O said earlier it is hard to get into college, especially with softball, but she worked hard and it has paid off. I’m excited to see all of the great things you’re going to do at Clarendon.”
Sanchez earned the Big Stick Award and Softball MVP at the Littlefield Athletic Banquet over her career, as well as earning 1st team All-District 2nd baseman her sophomore year, and 2nd team All-District Utility Player her junior year. She was also part of a Bidistrict Championship her freshman and sophomore year.
Sanchez talked about how all of her coaches have prepared her to be able to play at the collegiate level, saying, “All of my coaches have taught me perseverance, discipline and to work hard through everything that happens. Work, work, work to get where you want to be.”
She added, “I’ve definitely seen myself grow into a more mature person and I have gotten better at not letting things get to me when they’re going downhill and being able to build myself back up.”
Coach Oyanguren spoke about what it means to her to see one of her players sign somewhere to continue their career, saying, “It means a lot to me. When girls sign it’s huge to be able to see them have success. I know how much she has accomplished here and I can only imagine how much she is going to accomplish in college. I know she is going to be great, she’s going to do big things and have a really good career.”
Sanchez talked about what she is most looking forward to about playing college softball, saying, “The atmosphere, it’s so much more different than high school. I’m most looking forward to the friendships that I will build and the traveling.”
The Lady Cat senior talked about what it has meant to her to be able to represent Littlefield these last four years, saying, “Being able to wear maroon and white all four years of high school has been really rewarding. Being at Littlefield is a great atmosphere and all of the support from all of my teammates and the students, I’m just so grateful for all of it.”
She added, “All of the practices, the games, the bus rides, the atmosphere is just so different here. Being here at Littlefield, all of the memories I’ve made are my favorite.”
Sanchez talked about their upcoming season and what she is most looking forward to, stating, “Hopefully a lot of gold gloves. I really think we can make a good run this year and hopefully earn a district title.”
Natalia’s mom, Aurora, talked about what it means to her to see her daughter being able to continue in the sport that she loves, saying, “It’s something she has wanted since she was 10 years old and I’m glad she stuck with it and it paid off for her, not just in softball but an education as well.”
Natalia’s dad, Bobby, echoed his wife, saying, “She has worked hard all of her life. She started playing at a young age and all she knows is softball; she loves the game and takes it to heart and that’s what helps her succeed. She puts in the work and is doing what she loves to do. We’re excited to see her take the next step in her career and I know she will have success up there too.”
They talked about having her fairly close to home, saying, “That was a big thing for her too, was that she didn’t want to be so far that she would be so home-sick and end up quitting. When she found Clarendon, she liked the small campus, the homey environment and the coaches made her feel right at home from the beginning and that’s what helped her make the decision.”
Sanchez, spoke on the support she has had from her parents and what it has meant to her, explaining, “Them just being there; I can count on one hand the amount of games my parents have missed. Just having their love and support my whole life has really motivated me.”
Sanchez plans to major in Forensic Science.
Sanchez and the Lady Cats open their regular season on February 11th when they travel to Brownfield to take on the Lady Cubs.