Alyssa Castillo, a junior softball player at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward, has been named the Tri-City Voice Female Athlete of the Month for May, 2010, based on her performance last month. She is a starting pitcher on the Mariners’ softball team coached by Chris Krisman and has a won-loss record of 7-1 so far in 2010 with a 1.17 ERA.

In the Standley Cup Tournament at Oliver Sports Park in Hayward, April 8-10, she pitched against Cloverdale High School and Montgomery High School of Santa Rosa (both ranked in the top 25 in the state). First, Castillo shut out Cloverdale 3-0 with 14 strikeouts while walking only 3. Then she pitched a 10 inning game against Montgomery, again striking out 14 and yielding 2 walks in a hard fought, 5-4, come from behind victory.

Castillo has pitched 60 innings giving up 15 runs (10 earned) and 32 hits. Opponents are hitting .151 against her. As of the end of April, she had 88 strikeouts while allowing only 15 walks. At the plate she is hitting .361 with a triple, six doubles and seven RBIs. Castillo also pitched a perfect game against San Leandro High School at the end of March.

When advised of her award, TCV asked Castillo the following questions followed by her responses:

TCV: How did you get started playing softball?
AC: When I was little my parents put me in every sport including karate, volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, and finally softball. Softball was the one sport that I fell in love with and stuck with it since I was 7 years old. I worked up from Newark bobby sox all the way to 18 gold travel ball playing for Lady Sharks Gold coached by Rob Piper.

TCV: Do you have any other siblings?
AC: I am an only child.

TCV: What are your parents names and were they, or are they, still athletes and in what sports?
AC: My parent’s names are Shari and Chris Castillo. My mom was a varsity cheerleader and my dad played varsity football and was on the varsity wrestling team in high school and in Junior College.

TCV: What is your favorite subject or subjects in school?
AC: My favorite subject in school is English. I love writing the essays and the class discussion we have. My teacher Ms. Dwyer makes the class fun which helps keep me motivated.

TCV: Do you plan on going to college or junior college after high school?
AC: I plan on going to college after high school, hopefully playing college softball.

TCV: If so, in what colleges are you interested?
AC: St Mary’s, SFSU, Humboldt

TCV: Do you have any idea what field you would like get into when your school days have finished or maybe delayed for a while?
AC: I am very interested in becoming a nurse. It kind of runs in the family as my Aunt and Grandma are both nurses. I am also a student volunteer at Washington Hospital and that gave me a glimpse of what it would be like to work in a hospital environment and I love it.

TCV: Would you like to continue playing softball or any other sport after high school?
AC: I would love to continue playing softball in college as it is what I have working towards since I was a little girl.

TCV: Who has been your hero or role model to this point in your young life?
AC: My parents have been my role models in my life. They always point me in the right direction and have taught me valuable life skills. I wouldn’t be playing softball if it wasn’t for my father. I can’t imagine where I would be without them.

TCV: Is there any athlete you have admired during your growth?
AC: Jenny Finch, Monica Abbott and Lisa Fernandez who are all phenomenal pitchers and great female role models.

TCV: What is your favorite food?
AC: Mexican Food and Sushi.

TCV: To what kind of music do you listen?
AC: I listen to all kinds of music; I have over 800 songs on my iPod!

TCV: Do you have a favorite movie?
AC: Mean Girls, Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Rocky, and most recently The Blind Side.

TCV: What do you like to do when not doing school work or athletic activities?
AC: I love talking and hanging out with my friends whenever I can. When I’m not hanging out with friends I am outside either swimming or enjoying the fresh air. I can’t stand being stuck inside the house.

TCV: Do you have any superstitions you do before or after a softball game?
AC: I’m not a superstitious person. I don’t dwell on a certain pregame warm up. I just focus on the game and pretend I have never faced the team before so I don’t let anything psych me out. This allows me to stay cool on the mound.

TCV: Is there anything else you would like to add?
AC: I enjoy playing softball and it is awesome that I am being recognized in your newspaper for something I love to do and represent Moreau Catholic High School. I love my softball teammates and I hope to help our team take NCS this year. Go Mariners!