Queen of Diamond: Torres a two-way talent for softball
GAGE PFEIFER/The Tower
Manteca High junior Nayellys Torres leads the Buffaloes from the dish and the chalked circle. The two-way star ranks among the team’s top offensive talents and leads the Buffaloes’ stable of pitcher.
By GAGE PFEIFER
The Tower
Nayellys Torres is a two-way talent for the Manteca High softball team.
Torres is in her third year with the program. At press time, the Buffaloes were 9-2 after after suffering an 11-0 loss to Valley Oak League giant Oakdale on April 3. Nevertheless, the Buffaloes have outscored their opponents 81-42.
Torres has pitched 39 innings, allowing 14 runs with 54 strikeouts and three walks.
Torres was the third hitter against Linden. She had three at bats and reached base once on a fielder choice. She scored once and brought a run in. On the season, she has a .156 batting average, but she leads the team in home runs with two. Torres has five hits with seven runs scored and a team-high 10 runs driven in.
Manteca High coach Joshua Farris believes Torres is in a class all her own.
“Nelly is the heart and soul of our team,” he said. “She is a special player and one of the best pitchers this school has ever had. She can do it all, pitch, hit, run the bases, and has such a competitor spirit.”
“Last year in the school’s first playoff victory in school history (to our knowledge) she pitched 11 innings, giving up only one run and striking out 13. What I saw from her that day was one of the most special things I’ve ever seen as a coach in any sport at this school,” he added. “I have loved watching Nelly grow from the first days she stepped on this campus. Her personality is infectious. She has such an awesome heart and love for her teammates and the game. We are so blessed to be around her every day.”
GAGE PFEIFER/The Tower
Manteca High junior Nayellys Torres hurls a pitch toward the plate in a non-league victory over Linden.
The Tower caught of with Torres to discuss her love for the game.
The Tower: When did you first get into softball?
Nayellys Torres: I first started playing softball when I was 8 years old.
TT: What made you want to play softball?
NT: At first my dad put me in it just to try a new sport but I enjoy the sport, so I just kept playing.
TT: What accomplishments have you acquired playing softball?
NT: I’ve been to a couple of national championships and I’ve got a first team all-league.
TT: Who influenced you to keep playing softball?
NT: Honestly, I just love playing so I do it for myself, but I love playing with the girls and the awesome coaches I have.
TT: What has been your favorite moment in your career and why?
NT: The time I play Vintage when I hit two home runs in one game and pitched a complete game.
TT: Do you want to continue your career in college?
NT: Yeah, my plan is to get a scholarship and continue to play college level.
TT: What has softball taught you?
NT: Taught me to be a great teammate and have good responsibility skills and have good communication skills.
TT: What is your favorite pitching or hitting?
NT: It depends. Sometimes I like hitting more if my pitching day is not going well, but I really love pitching.