Ashley Osegueda has high hopes for her future.
She wants to one day be named a player of the year. And she would like to play softball at one of her favorite schools – University of Arizona or University of Washington – two of the top-ranked programs in the nation and mainstays at the Women’s College World Series. She idolizes fellow shortstop Sis Bates, of the Huskies, a defensive superstar and All-American who was once named the greatest college shortstop of all time.
Osegueda is well on her way to those goals, being named to the all-state first team in her sophomore season. Complementing her was sophomore pitcher Camille Hernandez, who was named to the all-state second team.
“It’s an honor,” said Sundevil coach Robbie Garcia. “They’re recognized by our coaches in the district with their play, their skills, their ability.”
Osegueda ranked third in the state in 4A with a .667 batting average on the season, with her 48 hits leading all hitters. She hit 20 doubles this year, a mark that ties for the state lead across all divisions, according to MaxPreps.
“I didn’t really think I would make it up there,” Osegueda said. “A lot of people are saying congratulations to me, especially the younger kids. I’m glad to be a role model for them.”
For Hernandez, her 97 strikeouts on the year were third in the state at 4A, and her total innings was far lower than those surrounding her on the leaderboard. In addition to her 6-1 pitching record, she led the Sundevils with five home runs and 34 RBIs, one of the only players with the power to hit it out of the deep outfield in Española. She and Osegueda formed an unstoppable pairing in the middle of a lineup that averaged nearly 10 runs per game and ranked as one of the state’s best.
“She’s going to be a player to be reckoned with for a long time,” Garcia said.
Osegueda enjoyed watching her brother play baseball for the Sundevils, and started playing softball with her family. She played varsity in 2019 as an eighth-grader, and was already one of the top hitters on the team. That did not make it any easier in 2020, when the season was cut short after just three games, and the Sundevils never had a chance to play out the year.
“We were all sad and disappointed,” she said. “To me, softball is everything. It was really fun to be back up on the field and playing.
Hernandez was playing on varsity for the first time with Española in 2021, but had no struggles in adjusting to the team. Garcia said she brought “a new energy” to the team. He said the strikeout total is likely a school record, despite a shorter season than usual and a lack of additional games through a state tournament.
Garcia said their recognition, especially headed into their junior season, will help both with college recruiting for showcasing their talents.
“It creates a foundation for the rest of the team,” he said. “It shows that if they could do it, the rest of the team can do it.”
Pojoaque Valley High School senior Anaya Aguirre was also named to the all-state first team after a star two-way season leading the Elkettes to a district title. Her batterymate, senior catcher Jessica Roybal, was named to the second team.
For Española, junior catcher Marissa Abeyta was named to the all-district first team along with Osegueda and Hernandez. Senior Hailey Guinn, junior Trinity Ortega and junior Jordan Torres were named to the all-district second team.
The Sundevils finished a disappointing 7-5 in the district, losing out on a chance to play in the state tournament in a reduced field, and were 12-8 overall. But the team loses just two seniors, returning many potential stars. Osegueda said many of the struggles came from having the time away and coming into the year rusty.
“I think we did really good,” Osegueda said. “(Next year) I hope we do make it to state. Last year, we could have made it to state. This year, we for sure will make it.”