Itza Gonzales was a star freshman this past season for the Panthers softball team. While being known for her power (7 HR), she ended up slugging .510 with 19 runs driven in. She also connected on 11 extra-base hits (second on team) while playing in 41 games on the season. Get to know the star hitter form Texas, who enjoys rooting on her beloved Dallas Cowboys during football season!
GoMCPanthers Question: How would you describe how your first season went?
Answer from Gonzales: I feel like my first season went really well, I learned a lot about what I need to work on and what my strengths were.
GoMCPanthers: What are your goals for next season?
Gonzales: My goals for next year are to make First-Team All-Conference, work on my hitting, & work on my range on the field.
GoMCPanthers: What are you looking forward to most next season on the team?
Gonzales: I'm really looking forward to meeting the new girls & just winning a lot of games next year!
GoMCPanthers: How are you able to balance studies, and social/family life to go along with games/practice?
Gonzales: I use my planner to plan things out like school, games, and practice and I kinda just go from there with my free time.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite/current athlete?
Gonzales: My favorites would be Bryce Harper & Kris Bryant!
GoMCPanthers: Favorite thing we don't know about why you love softball?
Gonzales: One of my favorite things about softball that no one knows is I love making stretches at first.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite part about playing on the team….
Gonzales: For sure the jokes and laughs we share.
GoMCPanthers: How do you drive in so many runners and hit so many home runs, is it the practice and focus or is it so much more?
Gonzales: It's definitely practice and the drive to want to hit better each game, but it's so much more, I want to be the best hitter I can possibly be and I take so much pride in my hitting that I want to improve each at-bat.
GoMCPanthers: Hitting a home run or making a huge play on defense, what is more enjoyable?
Gonzales: I would say making a huge play on defense.
GoMCPanthers: Have to pick: CUBS or SOX?
Gonzales: Cubs all the way!
GoMCPanthers Question: Favorite pre-game or postgame meal/ritual?
Gonzales: My favorite pre-game ritual is just blaring music in my truck to hype me up.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite TV/Movie?
Gonzales: My favorite movie for sure is The Blind Side.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite sport to watch?
Gonzales: My all-time favorite sport to watch is football, especially the Dallas Cowboys, I'm always sitting in my living room screaming and jumping up and down on gameday!
GoMCPanthers: Favorite part about your coach Aaron Moore?
Gonzales: My favorite part about him is he cares so much, he wants us to be the absolute best player and person we can be and he has always celebrated every good thing I've done this season but he always pushes me to be better every day.
GoMCPanthers: Something you miss about Texas besides your family?
Gonzales: Definitely the food, Texas restaurants like Fidelo's, Whataburger, Dos primos, & Bill Miller's are what I'm missing most.
GoMCPanthers: Something you enjoy in Illinois over Texas?
Gonzales: I love the summer weather here, it's so much cooler and nicer than the Texas heat.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite class you've taken at Morton College?
Gonzales: My favorite class this year was my Algebra class, the teacher was just amazing and she was so understanding about softball.
GoMCPanthers: Why did you choose Morton College? What do you love most about it?
Gonzales: I chose MC because it allowed me to explore a new state while playing softball at the next level. I love the environment, I've met some of the greatest people here through the athletic program.
GoMCPanthers: Funniest teammate and example or why are they so funny?
Gonzales: My funniest teammates are for sure Paulina Viveros and Kennedi Meinecke, we were just always cracking jokes and laughing on the field.
GoMCPanthers: Personal adjustments you made at the plate this season…
Gonzales: I made adjustments on hitting outsides pitches, it's my least favorite type of pitch and I definitely had to learn how to be more comfortable with them.
GoMCPanthers: One thing we should know about why you are successful?
Gonzales: I have had such a supportive group of people back home, I had coaches like Jason, Manny, Joe, Lillian & David who just wanted the absolute best for me. I also had my Dad who pushed me to be the best & my mom was so supportive that these people are the reasons why I'm so successful today.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite part about softball?
Gonzales: Definitely winning!
GoMCPanthers: Other sports that you enjoy playing back in the day or fun with friends, and family?
Gonzales: I enjoyed volleyball, it was where I met some of my best friends to this day.
GoMCPanthers: Favorite time of the year?
Gonzales: Fall, because I love the weather & seeing the leaves change colors.
GoMCPanthers: Birthday?
Gonzales: October 6th
GoMCPanthers: Twitter Account for Panther nation to follow?
Gonzales: @itzaxgonzales
Original source can be found here.
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