Some people have a natural talent for softball. Some live and breathe the sport, refining their skill through countless days of work.
In the case of freshman utility player Myah Arrieta, a utility player specializing in the middle infield, both statements apply.
Having grown up in Grand Junction with a lifelong passion for softball instilled by her family, all of her efforts are beginning to come to fruition in her career with Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU’s) softball team.
“[Myah is] a freshman, and that being said, she’s exceeded everybody’s expectations in her performance,” Redshirt junior middle infielder Ashley Bradford said. “She’s really jumped in and doesn’t even play like she’s a freshman. She does just as well or better than anybody else on the field.”
In her first game, Arrieta played in the place of redshirt sophomore infielder Aislyn Sharp after a mid-game injury; since then, Arrieta has worked hard to stay in the line-up, batting an average of .380 and hitting a home run in a game against Northern State.
These notable first-year accomplishments demonstrate Arrieta’s ability to grow and adapt to new environments. This is seen in how she has become a part of the softball family as much as she is a part of the team.
“At the very beginning, I was really shy, kind of in a bubble. I didn’t really talk to [my teammates] or go out with them as much, and they just really helped me become myself around them,” Arrieta said. “They support me, they help me with anything I need, they ask me if I want to go hang out and just help me really come out of my shell so that I can be myself around them.”
With the help of her team and her own determination, Arrieta has fully blossomed into her true self. This has become clear to the team in recent weeks.
“A couple of weeks ago on one of our road trips back from Tucson, we did karaoke on the bus, and Myah sang the most songs actually,” Head Softball Coach Mercedes Bohte said. “Only one was required unless you were really scared, but Myah sang seven or eight songs. She even sang one in Spanish and was wondering why we weren’t singing along.”
Because of her rapid growth and assimilation into the team, Arrieta has proven her worth and already impressed those around her. These impressive feats all point to more success for Arrieta in the future years.
“I’d like to see Myah step into a leadership role. She’s kind of young right now to be doing that, and like I said, she started out really shy. So when she’s able to fully be comfortable and be a leader, I think the possibilities for her are endless on the field,” Bradford said.
Despite having many years left in her career at CMU, Arrieta has already made a sizable impact on her team. Given her determination, growth and general success, Arrieta will only become more of a crucial component to the team as she continues.
The Mavericks next series will be a road series in Las Vegas, NM as they take on New Mexico Highlands starting April 2 at 2 p.m.
