April 11, 2018
By Andy Kuros, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With two outs in the seventh inning and Penn State trailing by a run in its March 28th matchup with Kent State, head coach Amanda Lehotak called upon a freshman off the bench to pinch hit with the game on the line. It was catcher Haley Vallejos, who represented the Nittany Lions' last chance to complete its comeback.
Vallejos, after a long at-bat, calmly hit a line-drive single that led to the eventual game-tying wild-pitch just one batter later. Lehotak showed great confidence in her underclassman as she did not hesitate in choosing Vallejos to bat in crunch time.
"Honestly, she's really great in those pressure situations," Lehotak said. "She broke up a no-hitter against Texas A&M and kept that inning going verses Kent State. She really excels in those positions."
"As a pinch-hitter, I just try to take my best three cuts," Vallejos said. "I try not to think too much and I just try to keep my head clear and do what I do."
Despite registering a total of six hits and two doubles so far on the season, including her great success as a pinch-hitter, Vallejos believes her strength as a player is defensively behind the dish.
"Probably my framing (of pitches) out of everything," Vallejos said when asked about what she believes is the best part of her game. "Also, my ability to call pitches, too."
"I like being able to control the field and being able to go at my pace," she said about the being a catcher.
Lehotak is utilizing Vallejos' good defense and high IQ as a catcher, as she has not only appeared in 22 games there in her first season as a Nittany Lion but has also been the starting catcher in 14 of those games.
"Haley's been a spot starter here and there. She's coming back from an injury, which kind of delayed her progress...We expect Haley, over the next four years that she is here, to be really special," Lehotak added.
As for her transition from a four-year letterman in Chandler, Arizona to a being freshman playing in college softball's Big Ten Conference, Vallejos credits her teammates, especially senior infielder Gianna Arrizurieta. for making the process easier.
"I think every girl on the team has helped me tremendously in everything that we do, including school, softball, and my personal life," Vallejos said. "Everyone cares, so for me that helped a lot."
"Probably Gianna because she is a role model on and off the field," Vallejos said when asked who she looks up to on the team. "She's just someone you can go to, no matter the age difference."
Vallejos and the rest of the Nittany Lions will host the Michigan State Spartans for a three-game series at Beard Field this weekend. Game one will begin Friday night at 6 p.m.