Zambrana said. I try to put the ball in play and not strikeout.
When the Alvin, Texas native steps to the plate, it is unmistakable. From the Bobcat dugout, the Ohio softball field is filled with the AT Alexis from Texas cheer. The cheer does a lot for the Texan.
Alexis Zambrana may be a shortstop, but her impact for the Bobcats this season was anything but small.
Zambrana played a key role for the Bobcats both offensively and defensively.
The freshman finished second on the team in both batting average and runs scored. Zambrana helped the Bobcats post a team batting average of .292 with her own .369 average and scored 25 runs.
For most of the season, the Texas native's average hovered around the .400 mark. Zambrana was utilized in coach Jodi Hermanek's offense in a number of ways.
Whether she was hitting cleanup or leading off, she came up with consistent at-bats and came through with key hits for the Bobcats while recording a team-best 13-game hitting streak at one time.
I just clear my head and try not to think too much Zambrana said. I try to put the ball in play and not strikeout.
When the Alvin, Texas native steps to the plate, it is unmistakable. From the Bobcat dugout, the Ohio softball field is filled with the AT Alexis from Texas cheer. The cheer does a lot for the Texan.
It makes me feel more comfortable Zambrana said. Every time I hear the cheer from the dugout
it makes me laugh. It reminds me of home.
Even without a bat in her hand, Zambrana made her presence known. The slick-fielding shortstop made numerous game-saving plays to help lead a young Bobcat infield.
During the Bobcats' second game against Buffalo earlier this season, Zambrana gunned down a runner at the plate trying to score on a double. The run would have cut the Bobcats' lead to one with the tying run on second.
In the Bobcats' second game against Miami, the freshman made a diving stop on a ball hit up the middle and threw the runner out to preserve what was a perfect game at the time for Melissa Bonner.
The key to Zambrana's success in the middle of the diamond comes from those around her, the shortstop said.
Working with Sara (Clark) at third base and Brooke (Morgart) up the middle at second base has helped
Zambrana said. Just working with them and communicating with them
we know what each other is going to do and we don't have to think about it.
Zambrana's success has followed her from her prep days. While a senior at Alvin High School, Zambrana was named All-State shortstop. She also earned First Team All-District and All-County awards in her state last year.
The awards continued to follow her after her freshman campaign as a Bobcat. Last week, Zambrana was named to both the All Mid-American Conference First Team and the All-MAC Freshman team. She was the only Bobcat to be named to the first team, while four others were named to the second team.
Zambrana is hoping her success carries over to the team in future years.
We've had a roller coaster season from winning streaks to losing streaks
she said. We always pick each other up at practice and keep fighting. I think we're going to be really good in years to come.
With a little more experience we are going to be unstoppable.
,",2,Sports,Michael Lewis,28325a.jpg,Ohio infielder Alexis Zambrana fields the ball during the Bobcats
