RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Ella Hutzler was forced to confront her own mortality as a pre-teen when doctors discovered a tumor on her tailbone in 2016.
“When the doctor got my test results back from an MRI he sat me and my parents down in his office and explained to me that the MRI showed I had a tumor and there was a possibility it was Leukemia,” Hutzler recalled. “My heart dropped. I honestly thought my life was over and at that moment I started thinking about what does life have in store for me? I didn’t think I would ever play softball again.”
Hutzler’s family, friends, coached and teammates all prayed for her. Her fate awaited her the following Sunday morning. The blood tests came back and it was not Leukemia.
“The tumor was benign. It was an osteoid osteoma and could easily be removed with a minor procedure,” Hutzler said. “Through the time in between learning I had a tumor in my back to finding out I would be OK, I learned how blessed my life was.
“I had a lot of time to think of all the things God blessed me with. My ability to play softball, a loving family, supportive friends and so many other things it is hard to list it all. I was going to seek out every opportunity life put before me. I had to learn at a young age how to be strong physically, emotionally and mentally. I knew I had to take good care of the body God gave me. The experience taught me how to stay mentally and emotionally in control and not spiral out thinking ‘what if?’ Every day when I wake up, I write down a Bible verse or I practice gratitude and write down things I am thankful for.”
Hutzler has made the most of her time ever since. The uncommitted 6-foot 2022 RHP/1B/3B is developing into a feared power pitcher and explosive hitter. She recently was named a Select 30 All-American after attending USSSA’s Select 30 National Training Camp over the New Year at USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, FL.
“As far as her skills on the field, she is very athletic, has good horizontal and fluid movement when fielding the ball,” said Hutzler’s Athletics-Mercado/Bonola coach Ismael Vazquez. “She has a strong arm and can easily make throwing plays regardless if she fields the ball cleanly or has a bobble.
“In the circle, she has an intimidating presence given her height and has great command of her pitches. When it comes to hitting, the kid can drive the ball. This fall, she hit some bombs that I think I just heard land. However, I think her best attributes come on the intrinsic side. She is very coachable, takes feedback well, and implements well. She has an uncanny ability to meet adversity with a positive attitude and bounce back from setbacks. It was the non-physical traits that stood out most to me when she began playing against us and led to the no-brainer of adding her to my roster when the opportunity presented itself.”
Veterans Memorial High of San Antonio, TX, coach Stacey Halim is just as excited to have her with the Patriots. Hutzler was the San Antonio Express-News All-Area 5A Pitcher as a freshman.
“Ella is the total package,” Halim said. “She is composed in the biggest games, a threat in the batter’s box, a leader on and off the field, a role model for the younger girls in the program and stays humble through it all. She is the definition of an athlete and what every coach dreams of having on his or her team.
“Bottom line, this girl deserves everything that is coming her way. She never settles for anything less than 100 percent effort. She goes above and beyond what is asked of her. She is always putting in extra work and a student of the game. I can’t say enough about her and her family.”
Hutzler has made a big impression on her teammates.
“Ella is a beast on the field,” Athletics 2022 2B/SS/OF Hailey Sonka said. “She will outwork anyone. No matter what she will always go the extra mile to get better. Ella is dependable on the field and off. She has been such a pleasure to get to become friends with. She is intelligent, sweet, considerate and a really easy person to talk to. Ella is passionate about this game and she plays it exceptionally. She is true to her personality and strives to be the best version of herself 110 percent of the time.”
Athletics 2023 P Isabella Renteria has been teammates with Hutzler since 12U.
“She picks me and her teammates up whenever we’re down and she gives her best no matter what,” Renteria said. “Whether she goes up to bat or she’s grinding on the field, you can always expect 110 percent out of her. She’s like a wolf, leader of the pack and a great team player. I remember once when I played several games over her and instead of complaining, she was the loudest one, cheering me on in the dugout. Ella would congratulate me after every inning and gave me feedback for the next. Together we’ve moved from Texas Blaze to Texas Bombers and now on to Athletics Mercado. I can’t wait to grow, be great and strive with her.”
*** Scroll down to go inside “Extra Star Power” to learn more about one of the top 2022 prospects in the nation.
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EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: ELLA HUTZLER
Hometown: San Antonio, TXÂ Â Â Â
High School: Veterans Memorial High of San Antonio, TX
Club Team: Athletics-Mercado/Bonola 16U
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 6-foot
Position: RHP/1B/3B
Nickname: Big Fella Ella
Twitter: @ellahutzler42Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Honors: San Antonio Express-News All-Area 5A Pitcher in 2019; Superlative 26-5A District Newcomer of the Year in 2019; Defensive Player of the Year for Veterans Memorial High in 2019; Volleyball Academic All-District in 2019-20; National Junior Honor Society Member; AP/Honors Student; carries a 4.0 GPA; and Class Ranking #12 out of 408.
High School Highlights: Freshman Varsity Pitcher; finished with a .477 batting average; hit her high school’s first grand slam; #3 in District with 44 RBIs (Max Preps); #1 in District with 133 Ks (Max Preps); In the top 100 for K’s in Texas (Max Preps); and middle blocker on Varsity Volleyball as a sophomore.
Travel Ball Highlights: Played in Boulder IDT All-Star Game in 2019; Invited to Select 30 National Training Camp in 2017 and 2019; #98 in Extra Inning Softball Position Rankings (Pitchers)for Class of 2022; #277 in Extra Elite Class of 2022 Rankings; and made USA Elite Select All-American Games in 2017.
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Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
I play for the Athletics-Mercado/Bonola 16U. I joined Athletics-Mercado in the fall because after playing against them in past tournaments I was impressed with the players, their techniques and their grit for the game. My team is hysterical, unique and crazy. The most impressive quality is our team chemistry. We immediately bonded when I joined the team. There was no awkwardness when I joined, we all just got along.
*** Scroll down to read more about Ella including her experiences at Select 30, plus more on her medical scare in 2016 that made her reevaluate her life…