BY NATE KOTISSO | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — There were plenty of photo opportunities at Sharyland Pioneer softball pitcher Mariah Youngblood’s signing ceremony. Youngblood, along with friends, family and coaches, were asked to pause and be photographed as they sat at a table.
As they looked at various cameras, Youngblood quipped through her smile, “I think my face is stuck.”
Youngblood signed her letter of intent inside Pioneer’s gymnasium on Tuesday afternoon to play college softball at Texas Southern University, a NCAA Division I athletics institution located in Houston.
“It’s an awesome feeling,” Youngblood said. “It’s definitely a relief to finally secure my college.”
Youngblood has enjoyed a decorated softball career up to this point. She spent her freshman year as a varsity ballplayer at Sharyland High School before transferring to the newly-formed Pioneer for the 2014-15 academic school year. She was a part of Pioneer’s first bi-district championship in school history in addition to being named a co-captain and a second-team all-district pitcher in 31-5A. In 2016, Youngblood took her personal marks to a new level as the Lady Diamondbacks did as a team. Pioneer went a perfect 12-0 in district play while Youngblood became a first-team all-district performer while occupying a spot on The Monitor’s All-Area Second Team.
“It’s a great day,” Sharyland Pioneer softball coach Orlando Garcia said. “It makes my job easier as a coach when we had some experienced girls like Mariah who came over and established themselves as a good group.”
Youngblood is the second college signee from her senior class. Shortstop Emily Michki will play softball at Coastal Bend College in Beeville, approximately an hour drive northwest of Corpus Christi. Youngblood liked the idea of wanting to play Division I softball but was unable to comprehend the implications of her desire until years later.
“When I was little, I always dreamed of going to UT and other big Division I’s,” Youngblood said. “When I got older, I came to the realization that it’s going to be a lot of work to get there.”
Youngblood held offers from the University of Dallas and Trinity University in San Antonio, but decided on Texas Southern for more than the opportunity of playing D1 softball.
“I went to a camp and all of the softball girls were there,” Youngblood said. “They took me around and showed me the school. It’s a fun and awesome community to be around.”