By Uriel Ortega |Staff Writer|
Softball player Darian Manuz is the Coyotes’ outfielder and currently the only senior on the team.
She’s looking to finish her season out strong.
Last season, Manuz was very productive for the team. She started 44 games, had a batting average of .273 and the second most walks on the team.
She played second base for the majority of the season and finished fourth in fielding percentage with a .951.
Some highlights of last year included her seven multi-hit games.
Manuz transferred from Palm Desert Community College where she played both seasons and was named school athlete of the year. She also earned first team all-Foothill honors in 2012.
Manuz’s accolades began at Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, Texas where she grew up.
She later moved back to California after high school in 2010.
“I moved to California to be with my family. I was originally born in California, just Texas raised,” said Manuz.
Manuz said that she chose CSUSB because she felt a connection with coach Duncan.
“I thought she knew the game pretty well; she was extremely family oriented, she believed in the game and getting you through school,” said Manuz.
Munaz comments on her family’s support for the game and that it is because of them she is able to play the sport she loves and are the reason she is here today.
“My mom and my sister have been my back bone my whole life,” said Manuz.
They are her biggest supporters. Her sister always calls her and texts her before every game and her mom always attends the games to watch her play.
As both a communication major and student athlete, Manuz said it can be very tough but she believes that college is shaping her for the rest of her life.
Softball and being a student has helped her.
As senior and leader of the softball team, Manuz remarks on the bond that she has with her teammates.
She explains how important it is to stay together and have each others’ backs, and that working hard will eventually pay off.
“We beat Humboldt who is number one in the nation. We came out and actually did it and what we have been working for months actually happened, “said Manuz proving her point to hard work.
Manuz comments on the bond that the softball team has.
They have supporters such as the big sister and little sister on the team, who help support each other through the everyday challenges.
Her message to the team is “Keep your head up, and keep you heart strong.” This helps her get through those tough times and conveys this back to her team mates.
“I believe that keeping your head up and your heart strong is what’s going to get you through the day,” said Manuz.
The Coyotes softball team is 9-6 overall and are making an impression in the CCAA conference.
The Coyotes are coming off a doubleheader sweep against Sonoma State and are looking to keep the momentum as Darim Manuz continues to inspire and motivate her fellow team members and supporters as she finishes her senior year.
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