AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Randall Lady Raider softball third baseman Jaycee Mata signed her National Letter of Intent with Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
Mata will continue playing third base after she graduates and joins the Aggies.
Season performance
This season, Mata has helped lead Randall through district play.
Mata came into the year as a target on opposing teams’ scouting reports after batting .422 with an above .500 on-base percentage as a junior, earning her second team all-district honors.
Signing day reflections
“Today has been a long way coming and it means a lot because everyone around me, this is the moment not just for myself but for everyone who’s pushed me to see how far I’ve come and that all of our hard work as a whole has paid off,” Mata said.
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Mata said Oklahoma Panhandle State head coach Jim Walker welcomed her to the program.
“He really invited me with open arms and he was really excited to have me play there for him and it just feels good to play for somebody who wants you so you know that if somebody wants you to play then you’ll play your best,” she said.
Coaching influence
Mata credited former head coach Michael Collins with preparing her for the next level.
“My head coach, Coach Collins, he definitely helped me. He changed me in many ways. He forced me to grow up and that will definitely help me at the next level,” she said.
Mata also discussed adapting to coaching changes during her high school career.
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“Change is always hard but the more you get used to it I feel like the easier it’ll be especially with a head coach position. I’m getting a precursor to what I’ll see next year,” she said.
Mata recalled a memorable playoff moment from last year when she stepped in to pitch.
“We were down third game in our last playoff round and I had to step up and pitch. I ended up switching going two strikes and then switching with another one of our really good ace pitchers Alyssa Navarrete and we were able to get out of the inning just by doing that and being competitive,” she said.
Coaches’ perspectives
Current head coach Shelbie Watson praised Mata’s impact on the program.
“She’s been a big part of our program the last four years. She is probably the most competitive kid I think I’ve ever met or person, and I wish a lot of kids had that in them,” Watson said. “It’s fun to watch and it’s fun to be around so we look forward to seeing what she does at OPSU and in her life after this. I know she is a grinder and she’s going to accomplish really great things after high school.”
Collins said Mata’s competitiveness will serve her well in college.
“Jaycee has been awesome to be with the last four years. You put it in front of her and she’ll go get it which makes me really excited for her to go to college,” Collins said. “College is way different. You’ve got to have the extra gear, you’ve got to be willing to put in the work, you’ve got to be able to put your time in wherever it is to be successful in college. It doesn’t just happen, it’s a lot harder than high school. I’m really excited to see what she can do there.”
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