RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
It’s always fun to get to know better the players who make up the Extra Elite 100 and not just for their accomplishments on the field, but who they are off of it as well.
Jayla Castro is one of the top sophomore power-hitting catchers in the country and, as you can tell from her answers below, she’s pretty articulate and deep too.
Let’s just say it’s the first time ever in all our years of asking about what players like that answers such The Arcadian Sundial, the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, and the movie “Shark Tales” have been mentioned!
Here’s a closer look at this future UCLA Bruin who, when it comes to softballs and interview questions, knocks’em all out of the park!
NAME: JAYLA CASTRO
Hometown/State: Rocklin, California
Grad Year: 2021
Position(s): C/OF
Club Team: California Breeze 16U Birch
High School (City/State): Rocklin, California
GPA: 3.8
Recruiting Status: verbally committed to UCLA
Top Honors/Accomplishments: Elite Select 30 All-American (2017), USSSA All American Team for the Northwest Region (2018 Direct Selectee), OnDeck Jamboree (Hemet) and West Coast Elite Camp Invitee (2018)
Other Sports? basketball, volleyball
Other Universities Considered: Oregon, LSU, ASU, Cal Poly
Preferred College Major: English
*****
What does it mean to you to be considered as one of the top 100 players in your class?
It is incredibly humbling because I personally know some of the other athletes on the list so to be right there with them is awesome! It is also a great feeling to see all the hard work I do on and off the field pay off.
Looking back on your softball career so far what’s been your favorite experience so far?
The day I committed to UCLA my mom hadn’t traveled with us so she didn’t get to experience it. Coach (Kelly) Inouye-Perez insisted that we recreate the moment “for momma” so the very next day we got on a call with Coach and when she finally got to the part where she says, “Welcome to the Bruin family!” my mom started screaming and crying! It was a special moment for me and my family and one that I will never forget.
What would you say are your strengths on the field? (and/or what did the college coaches say they liked about your game?)
Hitting is definitely one of my strengths. One time at UCLA I was hitting front toss against Lisa Fernandez and she said, “Man, that girl can swing it!” To have one of the greatest pitchers of all time say that about me is one of the best feelings in the world. I am also a pretty good catcher. This summer at the Elite Select World Fastpitch Championships in Kansas City one of the umpires said I was a “rock star” and asked if he could take a picture with me! It was such a cool moment because that tournament had so many great teams and other great catchers!
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year? Or in general?
This year I’m shooting for straight A’s in all my subjects in school. Freshman year kicked my butt between high school and travel ball so this year I’m working on time management and making sure I maintain a high GPA. I am also hoping I can lead my high school and travel teams to championships. Both teams are really good.
Do you have any softball superstitions?
Yes! I am highly cautious not to step on a chalk line any place on the field.
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
I think my philosophy in life is best explained by one of my favorite lines in a children’s book. “Don’t CRY because it’s over, SMILE because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss.
