Ortiz ties national home run record at 38
Luna Community College softball player Angelica Ortiz has signed a national letter of intent to continue her academic and playing career at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Ortiz, a sophomore from Albuquerque, is a graduate of Atrisco Heritage Academy.
“When I went on my visit, my future coaches and teammates were very welcoming,” said Ortiz. “They didn’t just look at my statistics; they wanted to know me for my leadership skills.”
Both her statistics and leadership skills speak volumes. So far this year, Ortiz has 38 home runs, which ties a National Junior College Athletic Association record for one season. The good news is that Ortiz has a chance to break that record this weekend against Lamar Community College. The Lady Rough Riders are scheduled to play two games in Lamar on Friday, April 19, and then play a season-finale doubleheader beginning at noon on Sunday, April 21 at home. The Lady Rough Riders play their home games at Rodriguez Field.
Ortiz says she gives her current teammates and coach credit for her success.
“This team makes me who I am,” says Ortiz. “Without them, I would not be where I’m at. I would not be where I’m at today without coach Randy (Krutsch) either. I walked on my first year at Luna and earned my scholarship. He gave me a second chance at the sport I love.”
Ortiz platoons between catcher and third base for Luna.
“Angelica is a great leader and she’s been great for our team,” says Krutsch. “She is the kind of student-athlete you want to build your program around. Angelica put Luna on the map; she gave us national exposure. She is something special; we are going to miss her. She will have great success at the University of Texas at San Antonio.”
Aside from her home runs, Ortiz could also break the NJCAA record for RBI’s which currently stands at 117. Ortiz has 111 RBI’s on the year, which leads the nation. Ortiz’ .536 batting average is fourth in the nation this season.
Ortiz, a criminal justice major, says that it was not all about sports at Luna.
“Luna is a place for second chances and my professors and the staff at the college cared about me academically,” says Ortiz who would one day like to be a detective.
Luna is 18-27 overall and 5-15 in Region 9 play.
UTSA is a member of the American Athletic Conference and teams in softball include, Florida Atlantic, Tulsa, Charlotte, North Texas, UAB, Wichita State, South Florida, East Carolina, and Memphis.
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Luna’s Angelica Ortiz has 38 home runs on the season. With one more home run Ortiz would break National Junior College Athletic Association record.
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