I Committed: 2024 Pitcher/Infielder Natalie Camarena Recaps Why She “Immediately Fell in Love” With Cal Poly SLO!

When you know, ya know!

Natalie Camarena—a talented 2024 pitcher/infielder for Charlie Pikas’ Mojo 18U team—is a junior at Enochs (Modesto, Calif.) High and, last Fall, had the chance to visit and fall in love with her future university.

Everything clicked on her visit to the Mustangs of California Polytechnic University which is about three and a half hours drive or 50 minutes by flight South down the California coast in the beautiful city of San Luis Obispo.

Here is how the recruiting process went for Natalie—who throws what Coach Pikas describes a as a “heavy ball”—and, in her own words, how she went for camper to commit for the Big West Conference program…

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After attending a few different college prospect camps on October 1^st, I attended Cal Poly’s Elite Prospect camp.

I immediately fell in love with the campus and the town of San Luis Obispo and felt like I had my best showing at the camp where I was really impressed with the coaching staff!

I’m so lucky I previously emailed the school because, the day of the camp, I forgot my player profile sheet to handout. After the end of the camp, the coaches told me to stay in touch and to send them my Fall tournament schedule.

The following Monday while I was in class, I received a call from the Cal Poly pitching coach Brie Galiciano saying they liked me and the movement of my pitches and that she wanted to get me on an official visit as soon as possible.

When I got home from school, I called her back, we had a short conversation and scheduled my official visit.

On my official visit, I met the team and coaches at the town’s Farmers Market and the host I was paired with fit my personality and really made me feel comfortable.

During the visit I watched a team practice, interacted with the pitchers, met with an academic advisor and took a campus tour. After the tour my parents and I had a meeting with (Head) Coach (Jenny) Condon about how I would fit in with the program and I received an offer.

I immediately knew I was home and found where I want to spend pursue my college softball career!

I accepted their offer on the spot, that night we had a celebratory dinner and watched the sunset with the whole team.

It was an amazing weekend, and I can’t wait to go to school there!

— Natalie Camarena