Softball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

There might be a number of softball players in the SGV area that are better known than Azusa High School senior Natalie Wilson.

But without question, Wilson’s four-year run statistically puts her in a very elite club.

In the spring of 2020, Wilson’s senior year ended abruptly after just seven games.

It was frustrating for a number of reasons, but the two that stand out the most included Azusa (6-1) getting off to a quick and solid start, and the fact that Wilson had the third highest batting average in the SGV.

In those seven games, Wilson batted .583, with 14 hits, eight runs, nine RBI’s, two doubles, one triple and a .630 on-base percentage.

Wilson would also be the first to tell you that her teammates deserve as much credit as she does.

Iliana Cardenas (4-1, 1.89 ERA in the circle, & .435 average, 10 hits at the plate), Arianna Sosa (.429, nine hits), Alyssa Ceballos (.474, nine hits), Kailee Miller (.577, 15 hits), Breanna Rodriguez (.423, 11 hits) and Gwen Rivas (.412, seven hits) more than did their part as well.

Azusa also seemed primed to make a solid run at a Montview League title.

Wilson’s hard work in the classroom earned the 17-year old the opportunity to spend the next four years at UC San Diego.

She finished with a weighted GPA of 4.3 and Wilson said her French class and Miss Thomas were her favorite class and teacher, respectively.

Wilson’s career stats were just as insane as her academic success.

She batted .516, with 99 hits, 79 runs scored, 75 RBI’s, 19 doubles, 10 triples & five home runs.

During her tremendous run at Azusa, Wilson never hit less than .415, and the high-water mark for her career came in 2019, when she hit .638, with 37 hits and 24 RBI’s.

Natalie said her parents, Chuck and Karina, were vital to her success in softball and life.

“When I’m at my lowest point, they made me believe in myself again and they always pushed me to be the best in everything I do. They taught me the value of an education and treating people well. I also learned that you have to work hard for everything you want in life,” she said.

Her Godparents, Blanca Carrillo and Uriel Macias, both play really important roles in her life as well.

The only downside of going to UC San Diego is that Wilson won’t be playing softball.

Wilson hopes that somewhere down the line she’ll get a chance to tryout for a walk-on spot.

The education she’ll receive and her stay in the upscale town of La Jolla, though, will be top notch.

Wilson acknowledged she had some opportunities to play in Massachusetts and Michigan, but being in San Diego was too good to pass up.

Throughout her young life, Wilson has always set enormous expectations for herself, and when asked what she’d like to do for a career, that trend continued.

Wilson dreams of being a CEO of a Fortune 500 company in the near future.

Perhaps her coach at Azusa, George Penalbar, put it best when talking about the special player and person Wilson became.

“As good as she is, Natalie always cared more about ‘us’ than she did about ‘me,’ and I’m very thankful for that,” Penalbar said. “She was as good in the field as she was with her bat, and that says a lot.”

Finally, we asked Natalie to comment on her time at Azusa, what experiences helped her take her game to the next level and her favorite team moment with the Aztecs.

Said Natalie Wilson: “Azusa is a really small town, so you feel like you know everyone. I made some great friends and was around a lot of really good people, and I hope to remain in contact with them. I was able to challenge myself the most playing travel ball for the SGV Clutch, because you’re playing so many games against tough players at every position. I took pride in being the most versatile player I could be. I am so proud of my teammates and appreciate my coaches at Azusa for all they’ve contributed to my career and life. I think the moment I look back on most was actually a loss in extra-innings to Sierra Vista. But in spite of the loss, the way we kept battling back in every inning made me so proud to be part of.”

Quotable:

Azusa High School coach, George Penalbar: “Natalie came in as a good softball player as a freshman, and each year she got better. She ended up one of the greatest players I’ve ever coached. She is known for her bat, but I don’t think she gets enough credit for how good she is in the field (at first/third base). Natalie had a quiet leadership and her work ethic was outstanding. When she first came in, she was shy and would listen to the older girls, and around her junior year, she really stepped into a leadership role. When she talked, they listened. She is obviously a very bright young lady as well. If you’re succeeding in the classroom, it means you’re doing your work. She carried that out onto the softball field as well. Her willingness to do what it took to help the team win games showed her selflessness and character. She didn’t put Natalie first, she put her team, and I’ll always appreciate that about her.”

San Gabriel Valley Clutch softball coach, Christine Valenzuela: “Natalie joined my travel ball team as an eighth grader. I remember the first weekend she came out to play with us for a Mother’s Day Tournament. I was so impressed, not only by her athletic abilities, but how she quickly gelled with the team. We won that tournament and that was the beginning of Natalie’s travel ball career. She played the hot corner at third base for us. She had a rocket arm and always cheered on her teammates in the dugout and on the field. On offense, her stats speak for themselves. Each travel ball season, Natalie’s batting average was above a .450 average. In the cleanup spot, she was consistent with putting the ball in play and moving runners. Especially for clutch hitting, Natalie would deliver with power. We had a very special team and it was always so exciting to watch the team and Natalie play.

What I appreciate most about Natalie is her tremendous work ethic, both on and off the field. She was also very coachable and hardworking. During practice, while the team would take water breaks, Natalie would ask us to hit ground balls to her to work on her fielding. She would say, “hit the ball harder,” to work on her reaction time. She was always looking on how to improve herself as a player. As a student, with a 4.2 GPA, she was truly the ultimate student-athlete.

Natalie’s legacy will be her exciting clutch hits that her teammates counted on and she delivered. Her contributions gave us thrilling games, medals and championships. This will forever be remembered by her teammates, coaches and the families. She is a tremendous young lady and I am proud to have been a part of her softball journey. I wish Natalie the best at UC San Diego. Hopefully, I get to see her on the field again someday.”

Natalie Wilson’s Career Stats at Azusa High School:

2020: .583, 14 hits, eight runs, nine RBI’s, two doubles, one triple, .630 obp, .750 slugging, 1.380 OPS

2019: .638, 37 hits, 33 runs, 24 RBI’s, seven doubles, four triples, three home runs, .685 OBP, 1.051 Slugging, 1.737 OPS

2018: .426, 26 hits, 23 runs, 24 RBI’s, six doubles, three triples, two home runs, .507 OBP, .721 slugging, 1.228 OPS

2017: .415. 22 hits, 15 runs, 18 RBI’s, four doubles, two triples, .492 OBP, .566 Slugging, 1.058 OPS

Career: .516, 99 hits, 79 runs, 75 RBI’s, 19 doubles, 10 triples & five home runs

Azusa Records:

2020: (6-1)

2019: (12-8, 6-4)

2018: (12-10, 8-2

2017: (16-6, 8-2)