GILROY—Gavilan College ace Paige Miguel is moving from one championship team to another.
On May 8, the San Benito alumnus signed her letter of intent to play softball for William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Miguel had several offers from other schools, but said WPU and the town of Oskaloosa felt just like her hometown of Hollister.
“I went and visited the school and anyone who knows me, knows I’m a small town girl,” she said. “I like the country and everything—I’m not a city girl.”
Miguel racked up 21 wins this season, including six shutouts. She helped the Rams to their first Coast Conference South Division Championship in 30 years and will be joining the Statesmen who won the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Gavilan coach Nikki Dequin said with the poise and maturity Miguel displays on the mound, she has no doubts she’ll be successful with her new team.
“She’s a very determined young lady,” Dequin said. “Some of our freshman pitchers were able and have said that they’ve learned so much from her as far as her presence on the mound.
When you watch her play in a tough situation, she has the same approach and the same face every single time—it’s very mature of her. She knows how to control her emotions which has helped her become so successful.”
Miguel said her time with Gavilan has been well spent. It was here that she figured out her major—Excercise Science—and how to apply it to a career in coaching. The ultimate dream, she said, will be to return to the South County to help coach at Gavilan.
“I’m really excited for her. I’ve known that she’s going to be successful with whatever she puts her mind to,” Dequin said. “Softball is something that she wants to do. Coaching is something that she wants to do. …This is why I do what I do, to help young ladies like Paige out.”
For Miguel, who didn’t join her first travel softball team—the Hollister Heat—until she was 16, the idea of traveling across the country is invigorating. She said she hasn’t spent much time outside of California, but she’s ready for the next phase in her life.
The Rams—though excited for their pitcher—will be saying goodbye with heavy hearts. Dequin said the squad will miss Miguel not only for her arm next year, but for her quiet leadership and maturity on the field.
“It is a little scary, but exciting scary,” Miguel said. “Everything about it (is exciting)—the next level, the next step. I’ve been in junior college a year more than I should have been. Getting my degree and everything, it’s all really exciting.”
