'They already feel like family': Kingwood High School senior to play softball at Louisiana Tech

Mary Martinez hit two home runs recently and neither took place on the softball field.

One occurred off the field when Martinez signed a letter of intent to play softball at Louisiana Tech next fall, while the other took place at the 2022 Humble ISD Livestock Show where Martinez's lamb won the Grand Championship.

“The past couple of days I have been on cloud nine to say the least," Martinez told click2houston.com of her two recent accomplishments. "I’ve felt so many emotions to be able to see everything I’ve worked for pay off. Both of these programs are unbelievably rewarding in different ways and have impacted my life tremendously!”

The Kingwood High School senior worked hard to find success in both her passions. She tends to her animals for 30 minutes each day before going to school where she attends a full day of classes before heading to softball practice for another couple of hours. When practice is over and the sun is setting, Martinez is back tending to her livestock.

Martinez has shown animals at the Livestock Show every year she has been in high school, working with goats the past few years, and winning Grand Champion last year.

"Every year for me show season and softball season fall in the same months," she said. "Keeping a routine every day and sticking to my schedule is how I’ve prepared for both. I try and split my time equally between my two activities. Yes, I have a lot of late nights, but it has been 100% worth it!"

Playing softball has been worth it, too, landing Martinez an athletic scholarship at a major university.

“I am extremely excited to play softball at Louisiana Tech,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit last fall and instantly knew I wanted to call it home. I am also super blessed to be able to play under such an amazing coaching staff. They already feel like family to me!"