SAN BENITO – With family and friends looking on, Crystal Castillo made one of the biggest decisions of her life Thursday afternoon inside the Greyhound Gymnasium in San Benito as she signed her letter of intent to play softball for Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.
An emotional Castillo was short for words as she expressed her excitement and nervousness of starting a new chapter in her softball career.
“This is really big for me to take the next step and play college ball,” said Castillo. “You can’t really go wrong with Austin and I like how the school is small but there are also some girls from the Valley that are going to make it feel just like home.
“My sister also lives in Austin and I’m going to be staying with her.”
“This is great for Crystal,” added San Benito Athletic Director Daniel Gomez. “Anytime you have San Benito athletes able to take their talents to the next level it’s a big accomplishment for the athletes themselves, the school and for the community.
“She played in one of the premier softball programs and she is a premiere player and the two (Huston-Tillotson and Castillo) definitely go hand-in-hand.”
Castillo thanked her family, pitching coach Alex Ansaldua, and winter league coaches Jesse Huerta and Juan Jasso, who both coached her since she was a youngster.
Castillo also gave special thanks to assistant coaches Kristen Longoria, Gus Gonzalez, Gilbert Gonzalez, and former head coach Elias Martinez.
“They all helped me become the person I am today,” she said.
Castillo was an integral piece of San Benito’s successful 2015 season, guiding the Lady Greyhounds to the state semifinals for the second time in three seasons.
The Lady ’Hounds went 30-4 on the season and posted notable playoff victories against Laredo LBJ, San Antonio O’Connor, and New Braunfels Canyon.