Adriana Ibarra vividly remembers being in the stands and cheering on her older sister, Marisa, whenever the San Benito High softball team took up the field.
“I went to every single game, home or away, to watch my sister,” Ibarra said. “Never missed a single game.”
Now, in a role reversal, it’ll be Marisa, 22, a recent San Francisco State graduate, who will be in the stands this season rooting hard for her younger sister to help keep the Haybalers’ streak of Central Coast Section titles — they’ve won eight consecutive Division I championships — intact.
“It’s going to be neat that she will be watching me now,” Ibarra said. “I had so many great memories of watching her lead the team to championships. She was my role model growing up. She still is.”
Ibarra, 16, a standout junior who excels at three positions — catcher, pitcher and first base — couldn’t have had a better role model than Marisa, who was a four-year varsity starting pitcher and graduated as the all-time pitching wins leader in the tradition-rich San Benito program before enjoying a solid career at SFSU.
The Balers were 3-0 entering Thursday’s game against Seaside, having collected wins over Sobrato, Santa Catalina and Gilroy. In a 4-1 victory over Gilroy on March 25, Ibarra did it all, tossing a complete-game, one-hitter, and producing a game-high two hits.
Not even Marisa was lethal with the bat as Adriana is, but the younger Ibarra doesn’t take any of the credit.
“Growing up, I saw how hard Marisa worked, and I knew if I wanted to reach her level, I would have to do the same,” Ibarra said.
And so it is for Ibarra, who as a sophomore last season led a senior-dominated lineup in plate appearances (100), at-bats (87), triples (five), while ranking second on the team in hits (29).
The left-hander was also a force on the mound, recording 36 strikeouts in 47 innings-pitched. This season Ibarra is the team’s top returning hitter — bar none — and Balers coach Scott Smith is counting on her to be a leader with her words and actions.
“As one of our elite players, Adriana knew she had to take on a greater leadership role,” Smith said. “No matter what is happening with her or around her, she has to personify a positive demeanor because her teammates are going to be looking to her in times of fierce competition. I think with Marisa being back home now, she’s had a huge influence on Adriana on how to carry yourself as a leader.”
Indeed, Marisa has always influenced her younger sister in a positive way, whether it was helping the younger Ibarra hone her softball skills to putting on make-up to fashion choices.
“Marisa taught me you don’t have to dress to impress,” said Ibarra, who often wears sweats and a t-shirt to school. “You don’t have to live your life trying to live up to other people’s standards just to make an impression on them.”
Ibarra has clearly impressed college softball coaches; she’s already verbally committed to play for San Jose State University. At the Division I level, Ibarra will be a catcher.
At the prep level, she’s versatile and talented enough to play three positions at a high level, something that Smith said doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Adriana can affect the game in so many ways, and it’s great to have a player like that on your team,” Smith said. “She carries a confidence that allows her to relax and play the game at a slower pace, and she doesn’t let the pressure of a situation get to her. She’s the ultimate team player.”
As an example, Smith pointed to the fact that Ibarra will do whatever is called of her based on the situation. Behind in the count but needing to put the ball in play? Ibarra will shorten up her stroke to make sure she puts the ball in play.
And if Smith gives her the sign for a drag bunt? Ibarra, who bats third or fourth in the order, doesn’t hesitate.
“Whatever it takes to get the job done, I’ll do,” she said.
As one of the more prominent players on the team, Ibarra knows she’s held to a higher standard. At the opening ceremonies to kick off the Hollister Heat’s 2014 season two weeks ago, Ibarra and her teammates walked out the players from each team, holding their hands in the process.
“It was a great experience because the little kids think you’re the most awesome person in the world,” Ibarra said. “You just look at their eyes and the way they’re staring at you, and it’s a great feeling to know they look up to you. I have a responsibility to watch what I do, because I need to be a good role model.”
Ibarra had the ideal role model in her sister, and now she’s proving to be a shining example to the next generation of Hollister softball players.
