Born and raised in South Florida, Ericka Garcia, senior psychology major, credits her family as the reason she plays softball and has been playing it ever since she could remember.
“I started playing at 3 and was throwing at 2 because my sisters both played. I started really young and always loved it,” said Garcia. “My sister played softball, rowing and cross-country [at NSU]. My dad played baseball and he was really good and he didn’t want us to be cheerleaders. So he got us into softball.”
Garcia knows the sacrifices her parents made for her so she would be able to continue playing the sport she loves. She looks up to them and hopes to fill their shoes some day.
“Both my parents are role models. We always got involved in positive things. I didn’t get in trouble as a kid,” said Garcia. “And they gave up everything to pay for [my sisters and I to play] sports. I hope to be like that one day with my kids.”
Garcia attended Archbishop McCarthy High School in Southwest Ranches, Fla. where she played both softball and volleyball, before attending Santa Fe College in Gainsville, Fla. She played there the first two years of her collegiate career before making her way back down south to NSU for her junior season.
She is a multi-talented player on the softball team, playing both first base and as a pitcher. She doesn’t look to be just a leader on the field but also off it. She knows the importance of having a team that can rely on each other. She wants younger players to work with her and not just follow her lead.
“I want the younger girls to feel very comfortable and feel like they are capable and know we have faith in them,” said Garcia. “I know that can be intimidating. I have a freshman next to me at second base and I want her to know that I can rely on her.”
There are always expectations going into every season and Garcia knows it.
“We have a very good team and we have a lot of potential, so I expect to win conference and go to nationals,” said Garcia. “That would be a lot of fun. We can definitely do it. I want to enjoy my senior year and have a great year with them.”
Playing softball isn’t the only thing Garcia loves about the sport; she enjoys coaching as well. She coaches year-round with her own travel team, made up of 14 to 18-year-olds.
“I picked it up last summer because they needed a coach so Gina [Bondarenko, another softball player] and I had a good summer and they asked us back in the fall, and now they don’t want us to leave,” said Garcia. “I give lessons as well, so I work as a pitching and hitting instructor also.”
I sat with Garcia to help the NSU community get to know her a little better.
What would you consider your strengths as a softball player to be?
“I’m pretty intuitive. I can read whether a batter is going to drop a bunt or something like that.”
What would you say are your weaknesses?
“I take it very seriously. If we lose a game, I genuinely take it to heart and it really bothers me. I am very hard on myself. Sometimes, you need to let things go.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I will do anything I need to do. I will get hit by a pitch if I know I’m going to get on base for my team. Whatever the team needs me to do, I will do. I put the team first and my body second.”
Would you rather have a game-winning home run or game-winning catch?
“That’s hard, but game-winning home run is always more fun. Do the little trot around the bases.”
What do you do for fun besides softball?
“I love going to the beach. I love anything outdoors. Anything sports related.”
If you could play any other sport at NSU what would it be?
“Volleyball. I used to play it and I love it.”
Who is your favorite athlete?
“I have a few: Hope Solo, Jenny Finch and Dirk Nowitzki.
If there were a movie about your life, who would play you?
“Jennifer Lawrence, just because I love her.”
How would you like to be remembered as a softball player at NSU?
“Hard working. I laid it out on the line and gave everything I had.”
