KING CITY — Emily Espino, the 19-year-old daughter of Lorenzo and Denise of King City will be continuing her education and softball playing at San Diego Christian College next year after signing a Letter of Intent last week at Hartnell College.
Espino, a solid infielder for the Panther softball team will play for the Hawks who are a member of the Golden State Athletic Conference on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
“I have been playing softball for most of my life and playing at the next level was something I have been preparing myself to do,” said Espino. “I have given up many school and weekend activities to be able to play softball on travel teams and in high school. All the work has been worth it because I will be able to play for two more years of college and complete my education. I am exciting to fulfill this goal that my family and I have worked towards.”
This season at Hartnell, Espino batted .272 during the season and helped keep her team in contention for a Coast Conference title until a loss at home to rival Monterey Peninsula College kept the Panthers from earning a chance at the title.
Hartnell finished the season at 27-12 and had an 11-4 conference mark.
The Panthers did play three games in the playoffs win one game and losing two to Diablo College.
“I want to earn a degree in Kinesiology and be able to teach when I am done with school,” said Espino. “I have been around the sport of softball and coaching forever and maybe I will get the chance to teach and coach at the same time. For now I am looking forward to school and playing more softball in college.”
Espino made her family proud with her signing to attend at San Diego Christian and with her earning her AA at Hartnell College.
“I am kind of speechless and so proud with the kind of person that Emily has become,” said her father Lorenzo Espino. “Like my wife Denise said, we always knew she could play at the next level. It is awesome that she gets to continue to play and get her education.”
