HARLINGEN — Not just one, but two Harlingen South softball players will be taking their talents out of Texas for the next four years after Mackenzie Wiley and Miranda Valdez inked their letters of intent to play college ball on Friday afternoon.
Wiley will join the NCAA Division III Northwestern Eagles in St. Paul, Minnesota, while Valdez will join the Lady Eagles of NAIA’s Oklahoma Wesleyan in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
While the two seniors are going to different schools, both were looking to join Christian universities.
For Wiley, the team’s relationship sold her.
“I was looking for a Christian university. I knew (Northwestern) had softball so that was one of the things that mattered most,” Wiley said. “What really stuck out was the close relationship all the girls had. It was all centered around Christ, which is what mattered to me.”
Valdez felt Oklahoma Wesleyan presented a chance for her to grow as a person.
“The school being religion-based jumped out at me. I like the fundamentals they teach in school and on the field,” Valdez said. “They go by pillars, which I think is a good way to live life and do it through softball as well.”
Both Wiley and Valdez are going to join programs with winning records, so as freshmen they will look to contribute soon.
It’s something newly retired Harlingen South coach Debbie Esparza thinks can happen right from the start so they can be models for future Valley athletes to follow.
“Both girls I think can contribute to their respective teams. It’s a huge advantage for the rest of the Valley to see that you can pursue your passion of playing ball, while performing and getting your education at a higher level,” Esparza said. “Both girls wanted to see what the rest of the country has to offer and I think they’re going to be successful.”
Now, both Wiley and Valdez just hope to take advantage of their four years at the collegiate level.
“It’s a great opportunity because most sports you can’t really play past college,” Wiley said. “Getting to play those extra years is great because I’ve worked so hard all my life.”
For Valdez, she goes with a chip on her shoulder.
“A lot of people don’t think too highly of Valley athletes. I hope I can give my all and not let anyone step over me,” Valdez said.