NPCC Softball full of new talent
A roster full of newcomers will make for a fun and fresh season for the North Platte Community College Knights Softball Team.
The Knights have only five returners this spring: hometown girl Juliana Ortiz, Amya Blake-Cosper, Sasha Strandberg, April Grace and Nancy Martinez-Sanchez, leaving 10 freshmen who will look to them for guidance and leadership.
"We have two returning pitchers in our sophomore class and three utility athletes," said NPCC Head Softball Coach Janelle Higgins. "Nancy Martinez-Sanchez was the region's defensive player of the year, so she is looking to repeat that honor. Our freshman class brings depth to our pitching circle for sure, but everyone is a utility player, so making a lineup is pretty fun as there are so many options to choose from."
The freshmen include three players from Texas, two of whom are from San Antonio and who came highly recommended by Martinez-Sanchez.
Juliana is one of three athletes with a last name of Ortiz, and no, they're not related.
The incoming athletes are:
- Jesusita Ruiz, of Imperial
- Sherea Ortiz, of Commerce City, Colo.
- Hailey Ortiz, of San Antonio, Texas
- Sarah Perez, of San Antonio, Texas
- Colby Keckler, of Nampa, Idaho
- Jessica Ureste, of Hereford, Texas
- MiaKoda Whitehorse, of Page, Ariz.
- Serena Jimenez, of Littleton, Colo.
- Eden Shimaoka, of Waimānalo, Hawaii
- Madison Chamberlain, of Kingman, Ariz.
The Knights look to build on the success of last year when they made it to the second round of the NJCAA Region 9 Tournament and scored an All-American selection in Elena Montoya.
In addition to Martinez-Sanchez's defensive player of the year recognition, Ortiz and Grace were each selected as Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes.
"Expectations are always high," Higgins said. "Like any year, our main focus is to be great humans, have fun and win some games."
The Knights kick off the season with a triangular in Arkansas City, Kan. Feb. 2. They will take on Seminole State College in a doubleheader beginning at noon.