Paola Verdugo Central Union High softball
AGE 18 | SCHOOL Central Union High | GRADE 12
The Central Union High softball team closed the Imperial Valley League season early last week with an extra-inning victory over rival Brawley Union High at Emma Jones Field.
“It was the best feeling I’ve had in my four years playing here,” said senior pitcher Paola Verdugo with a smile. “Even though we won CIF my freshman year we worked so hard to get that moment.”
The Spartans won 5-4 in eight innings, with Verdugo earning the win in the circle for Central after allowing just eight hits in the game and recording two strikeouts.
“It was exciting,” Verdugo said of the game. “We felt like we had the advantage because we were just so excited and just really wanted to win. My mentality was to keep the ball low so they wouldn’t hit anything up and away.”
Verdugo also pitched in the Spartans CIF-San Diego Section Div. III play-in game on Tuesday and helped her team to an 8-0 shutout win.
“I was nervous before the game,” Verdugo said. “It really started to hit me that my high school softball career is coming to an end.”
The win advanced the Spartans to the double-elimination tourney, which gives the team a bit of wriggle room in the playoffs as they are set to host Our Lady of Peace at 2 p.m. today.
MY FAVORITES Pro athlete Jessica Mendoza Team UCLA Bruins softball team Class Biology TV show Gossip Girl Actor Zac Efron Song “How Far I’ll Go” Musician Alessia Cara
What do you enjoy most about your sport? I like the feeling of being in control of what happens in the game.
What is one of your more memorable moments in your sport? I’d have to say it was something that happened after I had a bad game when I was younger. My coach, Mickey Carter, told me that softball is a sport where you have to keep turning the page. I really took that to heart.
Who inspires you and why? My sisters inspire me because they try a lot of things that are of the family norm.
What are your goals for the rest of this season? To win CIF as a family with my teammates.