McKayla Castro

Though she hails from Tualatin, McKayla Castro, freshman, is starting her high school career pitching for the lions. Along with softball, Castro played junior varsity two (JV2) soccer in the fall as well as club softball. 

“I used to play club soccer for the longest time ever, but I played club softball too,” Castro said. “Two club sports was way too much at the same time, and I always had to miss one for the other, but I’ve always liked softball more than soccer.”

New to the varsity softball team as well as the school district, Castro has continued to pitch for varsity despite the learning curve.  

“I felt very welcomed and I’m really excited,” Castro said. “I’m just really excited to see what the season has for us.” 

In preparation for game days, Castro follows a few different routines in order to keep her mental game in check. Right before the game, she turns to her mother for some words of wisdom. 

“My mom will always read me off a motivational card and then I always take five deep breaths before I even get out of the car,” Castro said. 

When Castro pitches, she has a pattern in order to ensure her mental game is in check. 

“I always have a pitching routine,” Castro said. “After I pitch, I walk back to the end of the circle and then always take two deep breaths and say three words in my head.”

In her time playing in high school , Castro hopes to become a starting pitcher and set some records on and off the pitcher’s mound. 

“[I would] like to set some records, for strikeouts or for hitting homeruns maybe,” Castro said. 

Looking ahead to four years from now, Castro plans to continue her softball careers at schools either in California or Hawaii. 

“One of my goals is to go D1 in softball, so that’s always been my drive and passion [behind] playing softball,” Castro said.