By MARK MOLINA | STAFF WRITER
No matter how big or small the moment is out on the softball diamond, Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior pitcher Mia Anzaldua has always kept a calm, reserved demeanor.
It was only fitting that the atmosphere where she made a choice about her post-high school playing career was the same.
Before an intimate ceremony with coaches and close family, Anzaldua put ink to paper and officially agreed to play softball at Texas A&M University Kingsville on Wednesday afternoon at Brownsvillle Veterans Memorial High School.
Signing was an important milestone for Anzaldua and is pleased that she was able to secure her future with the most important people in her life and playing career.
“ They are the reason why I signed and the reason why I’ve accomplished what I’ve accomplished,” the senior said. “They are my motivation and have played a part in what I’m doing today. This is a lot to take in, but I’m ready for the change and I’m ready to open up a new chapter and close this one. It’s going to be hard leaving your family, but I’m not going to be that far, which is one of the perks of signing with Kingsville.”
Anzaldua is in the middle of her senior season, which has been a big one so far, going 11-2 in the circle while giving up just 16 hits, two earned runs and has struck out 153 with four no-hitters and three perfect games.
At the plate, she is 28 for 73 with 29 RBIs and a .384 average.
For her career, Anzaldua is 42-12 in the circle with 573 strikeouts, while recording 153 hits, 129 RBIs and 12 home runs at the plate.
Anzaldua’s Accolades include District 32-5A Most Valuable Player as a junior, first-team pitcher as a sophomore; All-Metro Newcomer of the year as a freshman and All-Metro Pitcher of the Year in her sophomore and junior seasons.
“ We enjoy watching her pitch and enjoy watching her grow up from her freshman year to her senior year,” Brownsville Veterans Memorial head coach Rayner Cardenas said. “She’s a great kid, young athlete and great person. I’m extremely proud for her and happy for her family. This is a case where the village raises a child. Her parents and grandfather and family friends have trained them since they were 6 years old in t-ball. Then, they go to middle school, to us and then to college. Everyone had a hand in her development and I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Anzaldua arrived at her decision to join TAMUK after a long, careful selection process.
It took more than one visit, but it was a choice the senior pitcher was sure of in the end.
“ It was all about being patient and not to rush into a school,” Anzaldua said. “I visited twice just to see if I fit in. During the second visit, that’s what I got that feeling that it was home.”
Anzaldua joins TAMUK in the NCAA Division II’s Lone Star Conference. The team is led by second-year coach Craig Nicholson, who led the team to a 29-26 record last season and is currently in the middle of 26-4 season where the javelinas are currently ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Anzaldua sees the program’s potential, which is a reason she’s eager to be a part of it.
“ It’s a program with a new coach that hasn’t won a national championship,” she said. “That’s one of the goals that we talked about and that’s being a part of a program that will be able to compete for a national championship. Just being a part of that…I’m looking forward to it.”
Cardenas said Anzaldua has the potential to be a spark right away.
“ She’s one of those players where ‘no’ is not an answer,” the Lady Chargers’ coach said. “If she has to work harder, she’s going to do it. She has that self determination where she wants to prove everybody wrong about her. She’s going to be extremely successful right from the get-go whether it be hitting the ball, on defense and (pitching). Whatever they give, I think she’s going to show that’s she’s more than ready to play at that level.”
Anzaldua said this the moment she’s spent years working towards and intends to make the most of it.
“ I’m going to translate everything I’ve been working on my entire life to what I’ve been working for,” she said. “This is the moment I’ve been working for; college ball. It’s my goal and being able to live that is incredible.”