Junior pitcher/shortstop Nathalie Magallanes is the future of softball at Channelview High School.
She’s one of the team’s top hitters, fielders and pitchers, though her introduction to the sport came with a bit of a misconception.
“I remember when the Little League came to my elementary school and I thought it would be fun to play,” she laughed. “I only tried out because I thought the ball was actually soft… like the name. I found out really quickly that it was not.”
She pushed through the early sting of a not-so-soft softball and has come out on the other side as one of the program’s rising stars.
“It became a family thing,” she said. “On Sundays, my family would play for fun and it just became my thing. It’s really helped me grow as a person.”
As many athletes learn, the life lessons of sports often extend far beyond the field.
“Softball is really mental,” she said. “When I got into high school, a lot of things would get to me. The game has taught me humility and how to overcome adversity. I try not to show a whole lot of emotion anymore as I’ve grown up.”
Speaking of growing up, Magallanes hopes to continue her softball career at the next level while pursuing her future off the field.
“Playing select ball has really shown me that playing in college could really happen for me,” she said. “So I’m going to keep working hard. I want to go to college to pursue construction management or crime scene investigation. That’s the plan. I’m just going to keep investing in myself through the sport and see where it takes me.”
For Magallanes, the journey that started with a simple misunderstanding has turned into a passion — and possibly a pathway to the next level.