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Valeria Torres, 18, surrounded by teammates and family members, signs the National Letter of Intent and Scholarship Agreement Form with Seminole State College in Oklahoma at Southwest High in El Cento on Thursday. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / January 17, 2013) |
Southwest High senior Valeria Torres has yet to play her final season of high school softball but she already knows where she’ll be playing next year.
The recently turned 18-year-old signed a Letter of Intent on Thursday to play at Seminole State College in Seminole, Okla., next year.
The choice was clear
She was given a full-ride scholarship to play with the Seminole Trojans and for newly-named head coach, Southwest graduate and former Oklahoma star Amber Flores.
“That was the No. 1 factor of my decision and I’ve always known that if I had the opportunity of becoming one of her (Flores) athletes. … I know for a fact that I will learn a lot from her,” Torres said.
Torres has known Flores since she started her softball career as a youth.
“I always had a close relationship with her,” Torres said.
The Eagles catcher will join a Seminoles squad that finished 44-13 overall last year and 24-4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region II Oklahoma Collegiate Athletic Conference.
That was under former head coach Kristina McSweeney.
Under Flores, the team will kick off its season Feb. 6.
“I’m looking forward to learning a lot from Amber and being able to produce, be a part of the team,” Torres said. “It’s a great honor to be a part of her team.”
At Southwest, Torres would bat either third or clean-up. She said Flores has told her she plans to use her at catcher and maybe at third base. Her spot in the batting lineup has yet to be determined.
Joining Imperial graduate
Torres won’t be the first Valley player under Flores. Imperial High graduate and pitcher Erica Lopez will be starting her first year at Seminole this season.
Studying pre-veterinary medicine
Torres wants to work in wildlife rehabilitation and feels Seminole can be a successful first step.
“The academic achievements from the school appealed a lot to me and knowing Seminole is a direct link to the University of Oklahoma. … I was real appreciative of the offer and I couldn’t have asked for a better offer,” Torres said.
One more
season to go
The Eagles won the Imperial Valley League title last year and Torres is confident her team can clinch back-to-back titles.
“I’m very confident with my girls, we’ve been together since sophomore and I’m very confident we’re going to kick some butt this year,” she said.
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