Monrovia High School Softball Season Preview

As the Monrovia High School softball team gears up for their upcoming season, head coach Marcel Mayorga has high hopes for his team. His main goal for this season is to make the playoffs and remain competitive. In order to achieve this goal, the team must remain healthy and continue to grow and improve as a unit. Coach Mayorga is confident in his team's ability to reach their goals, citing the strong senior presence and experience on the team. Their top returning seniors include short stop and leadoff hitter Kate Nelson, who has committed to play at SF State, and left-handed pitcher Angelica Oseguera, who has been playing varsity for four years. Jocelyn Rangel, a first baseman with a powerful bat, and Natalie Huelster, a second baseman with strong contact hitting skills and leading in RBIs, round out the standout seniors on the team. There are also promising sophomore players, including third baseman Madison Cardona, outfielder Mikki Ortega, and catcher Macky Delgado. The team also has some talented new players who are expected to make an immediate impact, including freshmen Mia Parker and Mischa Lue-Long, both quick and strong outfielders. When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Mayorga looks for players who are committed, responsible, and natural leaders. This season, the team's captains are seniors Kate Nelson and junior Marissa Polanco. To build team chemistry and camaraderie, the team has been playing together since fall and has had multiple team bonding events including breakfasts and dinners. Coach Mayorga believes that spending time together off the field helps the players get to know each other on a more personal level and leads to a stronger bond on the field. Motivating the players to push themselves to their full potential is a key aspect of Coach Mayorga's coaching philosophy. He emphasizes proper communication with his players and holding them accountable for their workouts and daily improvements. The team's progress is measured weekly as a group, allowing the players to see their improvement over time. As with any sports team, injuries have been a challenge in preparing for the season. Coach Mayorga stresses the importance of keeping his players healthy and mentally tough to overcome any obstacles that may come their way. Looking at the team's schedule for the season, Coach Mayorga anticipates facing tough opponents in their league, especially Temple City.