MCC’s Emma Pennala signs on with Ottawa University Arizona to play softball

McCook Community College sophomore Emma Pennala (Kennewick, Wash.) has signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career next year at Ottawa University in Surprise, Ariz., an NAIA school, playing in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

While she was not able to make a campus visit, she was impressed with the Arizona school and the softball program under Coach Ernesto Ortiz.

"I did a virtual tour, it's a brand new school in the metropolitan area of Phoenix, and like Coach Mike (Mendenhall) and (Assistant Coach) Rachel Conroy, Coach Ortiz is very family-oriented."

"Emma is so level-headed, I think she is going to be able to jump right in," said Conroy. "You tell her to do something, and she looks and you and gives you a big smile and just does it."

Pennala saw limited action as a freshman, appearing primarily as a pinch runner and had just three hits in 28 at bats as a freshman – a .107 batting average.

"I struggled my first year and didn't play as much but this year my coaches gave me all that confidence that I needed," she said.

"She's faced some adversity here," said Conroy. "Last year she didn't play a whole lot and we were a little concerned going into the season and then late this season she had a collision on the basepaths and was in concussion protocol, but she overcame that too."

The sophomore outfielder batted .374 in 54 games this season, scoring 41 runs with 36 RBIs, 10 extra-base hits and 18 steals. She had a .421 on-base average and 20-multi-hit games including a pair of four-hit games – April 6 at La Junta, Colo., against Otero and again April 15 at Lamar. In that five-game road series at Otero, she had 13 hits in 21 at bats.

"My coaches gave me all the confidence in the world and whatever the situation, they believed in me and did a nice job of building us all up," Pennala said.

For her career, she appeared in 87 games with a .338 batting mark, 57 runs scored and 23 stolen bases in 24 attempts.

"It was amazing to watch her improve, she was a great leader for us on the team even though she is quiet and shy, but she brings such great energy and joy to everything she does," said Conroy.

One of her all-time favorite memories at MCC, was a day that school was canceled because of snow.

"And we all went sledding down the Kelley Park Hill – like the whole student body was taking turns and we were all snowy and cold and it was like the most students ever involved in one thing! And we were all there. It was awesome."

She is a biology major at MCC and plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

"I'm going to miss all the people in McCook," said Pennala. "You really get so connected to everyone and I'm really going to miss that."