Martinez's passion leads to fantastic BHS softball career
By Steve Carfagna
BLOOMFIELD - Under Bob Mayer, Ashley Martinez certainly blossomed into one heck of a softball player.
And according to the Bloomfield High School coach, the recent graduate should only continue to improve when she gets to college.
“Ashley has all the tools to succeed and her love for the sport gives me reason to believe that she’s only going to get better from here,” said Mayer of Martinez, who will be headed to Dominican College in the fall. “She was good when she got here but it’s amazing how much she progressed during her four years here. Now, as she gets stronger and continues to build her confidence, she will get even better.”
As for Martinez, the 17-year-old said her No. 1 goal was to work as hard as she could.
“The goals I’ve set so far while in college, are to concentrate on my studies and work harder in softball,” she said. “I enjoy working hard to become a better athlete. Working hard is not a problem as long as it makes me better, and stronger.”
Pertaining to her time as a Bengal, Martinez said she had no regrets when it came to her high school career.
“Looking back, my high school athletic career was very successful. Not only did I play softball, I ran cross-country all four years and did track as well for my junior and senior years,” said Martinez, who also competed on the basketball court as a freshman.
Perhaps most of all, Martinez said she would miss her teammates the most.
“I will definitely miss all of my teammates from all seasons. They have shaped me into the person that I am today. I’ve been involved in sports for many years now and as the years have gone by, I’ve met many wonderful friends that not only have helped me with my skills but also with my personality as well,” she said. “When you play with a team, it’s like you become a family. I know I will keep in touch with them because you can never forget family.”
Indeed, her teammates and coaches will in turn miss her just as much.
In fact, Mayer said Martinez, a four-year-player, ranked high on his all-time list.
“Ashley just had a terrific career here in Bloomfield,” he said of the center fielder, who enjoyed a stellar senior campaign as she broke the school’s record for hits in a single-season with 52. “She was just tremendous for us this year.”
As the team’s leadoff hitter this season, Martinez, a first-team All-NNJIL selection, had six home runs, 49 runs scored, a .515 batting average and 28 RBI.
“Twenty-eight RBI for a leadoff hitter is outstanding when one considers all of the many at-bats she had where no one was on base,” he said.
Aside from her hitting abilities, Mayer said Martinez was also solid in the field as well.
“Not only was she great at the plate, but she was also one heck of a center fielder,” he said of the complete athlete. “In our (state) playoff win against Belleville, she got a grand slam home run and she came up with a really nice catch that helped us get the win.”
In general, the Bengal coach said Martinez’s athleticism is what separated her from the rest of the pack.
“A former track star, Ashley is a great athlete with outstanding speed,” he said. “She battled with a knee injury for most of the season and yet she didn’t get called out attempting to steal once this season.”
Along with those abilities, Mayer said Martinez’s leadership qualities were just as impressive.
“She was a good leader. She led by example, and at the same time, she was vocal as well,” he said. “She always did things the right way. She was very positive. She always kept the girls up and she was a very big part of our wonderful playoff run. Indeed, she really came through for us.”
Mayer said Martinez, who received a partial scholarship to continue playing softball next year on the Division 2 level next year at Dominican, would certainly be missed by Bloomfield.
“She definitely meant a lot to this program,” said the coach who wished his star pupil all of the best. “She’s a real competitor and there’s no reason to think that she won’t succeed on the next level.”
And according to the Bloomfield High School coach, the recent graduate should only continue to improve when she gets to college.
“Ashley has all the tools to succeed and her love for the sport gives me reason to believe that she’s only going to get better from here,” said Mayer of Martinez, who will be headed to Dominican College in the fall. “She was good when she got here but it’s amazing how much she progressed during her four years here. Now, as she gets stronger and continues to build her confidence, she will get even better.”
As for Martinez, the 17-year-old said her No. 1 goal was to work as hard as she could.
“The goals I’ve set so far while in college, are to concentrate on my studies and work harder in softball,” she said. “I enjoy working hard to become a better athlete. Working hard is not a problem as long as it makes me better, and stronger.”
Pertaining to her time as a Bengal, Martinez said she had no regrets when it came to her high school career.
“Looking back, my high school athletic career was very successful. Not only did I play softball, I ran cross-country all four years and did track as well for my junior and senior years,” said Martinez, who also competed on the basketball court as a freshman.
Perhaps most of all, Martinez said she would miss her teammates the most.
“I will definitely miss all of my teammates from all seasons. They have shaped me into the person that I am today. I’ve been involved in sports for many years now and as the years have gone by, I’ve met many wonderful friends that not only have helped me with my skills but also with my personality as well,” she said. “When you play with a team, it’s like you become a family. I know I will keep in touch with them because you can never forget family.”
Indeed, her teammates and coaches will in turn miss her just as much.
In fact, Mayer said Martinez, a four-year-player, ranked high on his all-time list.
“Ashley just had a terrific career here in Bloomfield,” he said of the center fielder, who enjoyed a stellar senior campaign as she broke the school’s record for hits in a single-season with 52. “She was just tremendous for us this year.”
As the team’s leadoff hitter this season, Martinez, a first-team All-NNJIL selection, had six home runs, 49 runs scored, a .515 batting average and 28 RBI.
“Twenty-eight RBI for a leadoff hitter is outstanding when one considers all of the many at-bats she had where no one was on base,” he said.
Aside from her hitting abilities, Mayer said Martinez was also solid in the field as well.
“Not only was she great at the plate, but she was also one heck of a center fielder,” he said of the complete athlete. “In our (state) playoff win against Belleville, she got a grand slam home run and she came up with a really nice catch that helped us get the win.”
In general, the Bengal coach said Martinez’s athleticism is what separated her from the rest of the pack.
“A former track star, Ashley is a great athlete with outstanding speed,” he said. “She battled with a knee injury for most of the season and yet she didn’t get called out attempting to steal once this season.”
Along with those abilities, Mayer said Martinez’s leadership qualities were just as impressive.
“She was a good leader. She led by example, and at the same time, she was vocal as well,” he said. “She always did things the right way. She was very positive. She always kept the girls up and she was a very big part of our wonderful playoff run. Indeed, she really came through for us.”
Mayer said Martinez, who received a partial scholarship to continue playing softball next year on the Division 2 level next year at Dominican, would certainly be missed by Bloomfield.
“She definitely meant a lot to this program,” said the coach who wished his star pupil all of the best. “She’s a real competitor and there’s no reason to think that she won’t succeed on the next level.”
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