PSJA High senior third baseman Noah Herrera always put his team first. As a three-year letterman, whatever was asked of him, Herrera got the job done.
Nothing more exemplified Herrera’s team-first mentality than a play during the first round of the 2019 UIL 6A playoffs against Laredo United.
Late in the game with the Bears trailing, a shallow pop up from a United batter appeared to be headed into the PSJA High dugout for a foul ball. Herrera sprinted from his position at third base, left his feet and dove over the 4-foot wall separating the field from the dugout to secure the ball in his glove and a crucial out for his PSJA High team.
“The mentality that I have is just always put my team first. I always want to be the person that puts the team ahead of themselves and looks out for the team by being a team player. That’s why I always run towards those plays where I feel like I have a chance, even if it’s a difficult one,” Herrera said.
Earlier this week, Herrera’s team-first play and productivity on the baseball diamond earned him the opportunity to continue his academic and athletic career as he signed with Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.
“It was just a dream come true for me, honestly. I was very blessed and God put me in this position,” Herrera said. “I’m very thankful for it, and I’m thankful for my coaches for giving me a shot. Ever since I was little, I always wanted to play college baseball and hopefully go further. I’m just very blessed to be in the position.”
A key part of the PSJA High lineup, Herrera and the Bears were the defending District 30-6A champions heading into this season. PSJA was on pace to compete for another district title before the season was cut short due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Herrera is the second in his immediate family to go on to play college ball as his older brother, Nathaniel, played football for two years at Texas Wesleyan before transferring to North Texas, where he is currently a redshirt junior.
“For me being the second college athlete in the family, they’re just very excited to see me go and compete at the next level,” Herrera said.
The PSJA High senior said he’s thankful for receiving support from his parents, siblings, aunts and uncles. But this last summer, the rides to and from tournaments with his grandfather are memories he’ll never forget.
“This past summer, my grandpa drove me to every tournament I had in Houston. It was just me and him, sometimes my brother,” Herrera said. “We’d have to be up there on Wednesday, I would get back on Sunday, and we’d have to be back up there Wednesday because that’s when the tournament started. I’m very thankful for everything he’s done for me and sacrificing his time in order for me to get up there and play ball.”
Now, Herrera is headed to OLLU, which competes in the Red River Athletic Conference at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of competition up there, but I’m just trying to work hard, give it my all and get the job done with no excuses,” Herrera said.