United South High School’s Andrea Guerrero, a four-year starter for the softball team, has signed her Letter of Intent to play at Coastal Bend College in Beeville.
When asked why she loves softball, Guerrero had this to say: “It was more the thrill and the adrenaline in it, and it was very exciting and I really like the idea of hitting the ball, running the bases and having that competition with that other team, going back and forth if it was a rally. It was super exciting to me.”
When Guerrero landed on varsity as a freshman, it was an experience that built her character.
“I won’t lie. It was very scary and very intimidating because there were other girls who I knew had more experience than I did,” she said. “It was just something I learned to love at the end of the day, and I would never take away my freshman year. It made me the person I am today.”
Guerrero plans to major in criminal justice and minor in psychology. Her career goal is to work in Border Patrol.
Melinda Portillo, head softball coach at USHS, said Guerrero was a leader on and off the field. She also has grown tremendously over the past four years. The starting catcher had her first grand slam in early April.
“She is a great leader and goes 100 miles an hour because she is so aggressive on the field and inspires the other girls to be just as aggressive and as confident in her playing abilities,” Portillo said. “I love having her on the field because she has been such a leader behind the plate and you can see it. You don’t have to know softball to know that she is a leader. She has grown a lot since her freshman year, and I am proud to see the growth as an athlete and young lady.”
Guerrero said Portillo has been a tremendous influence in her life.
“Thank you so much, coach. For the past four years, you have been my second mom. You helped me become the person and player I am today,” Guerrero said, fighting back tears. “I really wanted to be the person my teammates could look up to or come to if they ever had a problem. Thank you for your support, coach.”
The Coastal Bend College coaches invited her to practice with them and offered her a full-ride to the school. After she talked to her father, she decided to accept the offer.
Guerrero added that her father, Jose Guerrero, who has his own softball travel team, has been a huge influence as well.
She began playing when she was 10 and soon after moved to fastpitch, eventually becoming an 11-year-old on the 14-year-old team.
“If it wasn’t for my dad and other coaches believing in me, I really wouldn’t be here where I am today,” Andrea Guerrero said. “To my team, they have been an amazing support group through my whole four years. I always wanted them to feel welcomed and connected as a family. As a building team last year, we lost every game. From last year to this year, we have played more united, like a family, than we ever did. I love them.”
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