Despite a disappointing 14-25 overall season for the women’s softball team, two sophomores have been nominated for state honors.

Both kinesiology majors, Natalie Orosco, first baseman, and Samantha Cabada, centerfielder, were selected for the first-team All-Western State Champion Gold Division softball squad. They were in the top twelve players of the seven teams in the division. Being selected first-team All Division is a great honor and something to show coaches of four-year schools, Orosco said.

Orosco, 20, is no stranger to the world of baseball and softball. She has been playing softball since age five, and is the daughter of former Major League relief picture, Jesse Orosco, who pitched the winning game of the World Series with the New York Mets in 1986.

Natalie finished the season strong with a .302 batting average, and led the team in RBIs with 33.

After struggling with her grades her first semester, Orosco, said “the key was learning to balance school and softball. … I was stressed whether or not I would get to play.”

With the support of head coach Paula Congleton and her teammates, she turned her grades around quickly.

“She has definitely matured tremendously in the past two years,” said Congleton. “She worked hard and made it happen, in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom because now she understands the importance of academics going side-by-side with her athletic talents.”

Orosco has not committed to a school yet, but is interested in the University of Hawaii, Mid-Western State in Texas, and Florida State University.

Along with Orosco, Cabada, 19, was an essential asset to the team. This is Cabada’s second time being selected for first-team All-WSC. As the season progressed, she said her teammates became like a second family.

“Being away from home, the players and coaches are who we go to,” she said.

She finished the season with a batting average of .310 and 14 RBIs, but was disappointed by how the season ended up.

“I just wish we could have gone farther, winning more games and going to the playoffs,” Cabada said.

Although the season wasn’t their best, individual qualities were worked on and imporoved.

“She has improved her range on defense and her bat speed has increased, she shows determination to play the game well,” Congleton said.

Cabada is looking at Missouri Valley, New Mexico Highlands University, and the University of Hawaii as potential schools.

The importance of them finding a school that fits them is key, said Congleton. The college they choose “has to have their major to continue their four-year degree and the type of program they want to play in.”

Congleton said there is a lot of competition for limited scholarships, so “players must stand out in order to play at the four-year level and I think both of our kids have done really great job this year.”

Being two of the three returning players, Cabada and Orosco stepped up as team leaders to help the freshmen transition from playing high school softball to college level softball.

“I felt like they both did a nice job in controlling and leading the team, cause with so many freshmen they don’t know what the expectations are, and I think having Samantha and Natalie be a little more dominate, it helped us,” Congleton said.

“They both have an incredible work ethic, good character and study habits. They should be able to fit in any type of program.”

Pitcher Victoria Lucido, shortstop Alice Cen, second baseman Amanda Caras and left fielder Danielle deCastro were second-team All-WSC Gold Divison choices.