Standout infielder Apodaca inks with South Mountain CC

Photo By Raymundo Frasquillo: Morenci Class of 2018 grad Destiny Apodaca listens to South Mountain head coach Christa Pjeninger before signing a letter of intent to accept a scholarship offer. She is the fourth class member to have an education paid for because of athletic prowess.

By Raymundo Frasquillo

Photo By Raymundo Frasquillo: Destiny Apodaca will continue her softball career at Phoenix South Mountain Community College.

MORENCI – Following a stellar individual post-season, Destiny Apodaca capped her softball prep career as a member of the 1A-3A South All-Stars on June 2. The Show Low-held double-header ended with a split.

Three weeks later, the Morenci Class of 2018 grad was offered and accepted a full-tuition scholarship to attend Phoenix South Mountain Community College. The scholarship is worth $1,003 per semester or $4,012 for a two-year period.

On Saturday, Apodaca signed the letter of intent amidst immediate and extended family members plus MHS coaches at Sumitomo Park, in the shadow of her field of dreams. Afterward, she brandished an ear-to-ear smile alongside grandparents Eva Llamas and Fortune Torres, parents Tanya and Isaac Apodaca plus sisters Asiah and Caasi.

Photo By Raymundo Frasqullo: Destiny Apodaca, center, shows her letter of intent. Along with her are, from left, her father, Isaac Apodaca, sister, Caasi, mother, Tanya, and sister, Asiah.

“I saw her once during this year’s high school playoffs,” six-year SMCC head coach Christa Pfeninger said. “I went there and decided to go watch Morenci to see what they had. I saw her dive for a ball and I couldn’t tell if she got it. She missed it, but I was impressed by her effort, drive, and commitment.”

“I usually watch players several times, mostly in club tournaments, before I decide I can use them,” she said.

Photo By Raymundo Frasquillo

Apodaca batted .583 (7-12), drove in six of 23 runs batted in, hit three doubles, a triple, a home run, and did not strike out during three state meet games. Morenci batted .350 (36-103), drove in 23 of 29 runs scored, hit eight doubles, two triples, one home run, and struck out 14 times at state. The No. 4 Wildcats (20-11 overall, 9-3 region for No. 3) ended the season with a 1-run, 8-inning semifinal loss to eventual state champion Benson.

Apodaca batted .543 (44-81), drove in 49 of 235 runs batted in, hit 17 doubles, four triples, two home runs, and struck out six times during a 28-game regular season. Morenci batted .431 (326-757), drove in 235 of 319 runs, hit 87 doubles, 24 triples, and 17 home runs, and notched 86 strikeouts.

Apodaca twice earned 2A East Region 1st team honors, plus was selected All-Conference 2nd team as a senior and honorable mention as a junior by a vote of state-wide head coaches.

“She’s going to be hard to replace at shortstop,” two-year MHS head coach Joseph Garcia and assistant David Gallegos said.

Apodaca excelled at the middle school and high school level and now is poised to take on the challenge at the next level. The diminutive junior college signee will use her talent and skills for the SMCC Cougars beginning in August.