MCC Indian signs to play for Ottawa in Arizona

McCook Community College sophomore Emma Pennala (Kennewick, Wash.) has signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career next year at Ottawa University in Surprise, Ariz., an NAIA school, playing in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

While she was not able to make a campus visit, she was impressed with the Arizona school and the softball program under Coach Ernesto Ortiz.

“I did a virtual tour, it’s a brand new school in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, and like Coach Mike (Mendenhall) and (Assistant Coach) Rachel Conroy, Coach Ortiz is very family-oriented.”

“Emma is so level-headed, I think she is going to be able to jump right in,” said Conroy. “You tell her to do something, and she looks and you and gives you a big smile and just does it.”

Pennala saw limited action as a freshman, appearing primarily as a pinch runner and had just three hits in 28 at bats as a freshman – a .107 batting average.

“I struggled my first year and didn’t play as much but this year my coaches gave me all that confidence that I needed,” she said.

“She’s faced some adversity here,” said Conroy. “Last year she didn’t play a whole lot and we were a little concerned going into the season and then late this season she had a collision on the basepaths and was in concussion protocol, but she overcame that too.”

The sophomore outfielder batted .374 in 54 games this season, scoring 41 runs with 36 RBIs, 10 extra-base hits and 18 steals.

She had a .421 on-base average and 20-multi-hit games including a pair of four-hit games – April 6 at La Junta, Colo., against Otero and again April 15 at Lamar. In that five-game road series at Otero, she had 13 hits in 21 at bats. Watch for more signing info.