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Devin Estrada. Photo courtesy CAC Athletics.
Copper Area News
Hayden High School 2014 graduate Devin Estrada recently completed her first full season at Central Arizona College, displaying the same talent that led her to being an All-Division and All-Section performer for the Lady Lobos a year ago.
Estrada, who batted .586 in her final high school season, played in 46 games during her freshman year with the Vaqueras, finishing with a .344 batting average, one homerun, four doubles, two triples, 22 RBI, and 20 runs scored.
She played catcher and first base for CAC, a member of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, and is more certain than ever that she made the right choice to attend the only school that offered her a scholarship.
“I had went for a tryout in the fall of my senior year,” recalled Estrada when asked why she decided to attend CAC. “Just seeing the environment, I think, was more me than anything and I realized the code was family. (The coaches) care about their players and now that I’m at CAC I think my choice was perfect.”
The soon-to-be sophomore is studying nutrition and plans to continue her education at a four-year school in the future. Estrada admits she hasn’t decided which school or schools she might attend but did say she is considering Northern Arizona University and Arizona State. Her choices might increase if some other four-year schools want her to continue her athletic career.
For most college freshmen transitioning from high school to college requires some adjustments, something Estrada acknowledged to the Copper Basin News.
“I think if anything it’s balance,” she answered when asked what has been her biggest challenge. “Trying to maintain sports and school at the same time. It’s a really difficult season and having to constantly working for my spot (is a challenge).”
In addition to having success on the field, Estrada has enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people, especially her teammates. The opportunity to be a part of a close-knit group was one the deciding factors in her decision to sign with CAC.
“Making new friends and becoming part of a new family,” Estrada said were what she enjoyed the most during her first year at CAC. “They’re people I know I could depend on for the rest of my life.”
Even though she’s had success at the next level, Estrada’s time at Hayden is not too far removed from her memory. She hit one home run as a freshman at CAC this year and remembered her first high school homer in an interview conducted during the season.
“I was a junior,” she said. “I hit it out during the Safford Tournament against Morenci.”
Estrada took the only scholarship she was offered, partly the result of signing before other schools offered. Still, she worked hard to achieve her dreams and suggested others do the same if they want to play at the next level.
“Never stop chasing your dream,” she said. “If that’s really what you want to do and you know you want to do it then you better work hard. Working hard gets you a long way.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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