RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Sometimes it just seems life isn’t fair… or that certain people get more thunderstorms or lightning strikes than should be their lot.
That seemed to be the case for Ella Hutzler, a talented 2022 corner infielder from Texas who had now one, not two, but three significant life-changing events that seemed for a while like it would prohibit her from achieving her goal of playing college softball.
But, as we’re happy to report, Ella let us know this week that she, indeed, will indeed play college softball.
Seems like bad storms can only last a while before the sun comes out again.
“I finally committed,” Ella told Extra Inning Softball this week with a sense of relief and exhilaration. “It was one of the most difficult journeys plagued with a pandemic that closed down our world along with a devastating fire and an injury.”
The senior, who plays for NexGen 18U – Herandez, will play her college softball at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas, a private DII school that competes in the Lone Star Conference. In 2021, the Hilltoppers went 17-21, but Ella plans helping Head Coach Leah Glasgow and crew improve on that record.
“I had some schools interested prior to COVID and a few here and there (after it calmed down); however, no one expressed their interest in me more than St. Ed’s,” the athlete says of her decision to stay instate.
“Last month I finally made the decision to go to a school close to home with small class sizes and numerous accolades earned for the education they provide. I really like Coach Glasglow and how patient she was with me while I tried to decide what school I wanted to commit to. I am very happy with my decision.”
Here’s a look at previous articles we did on Ella so you can get a sense of how happy she is—and we are for her too!—to have survived a tough trio of tribulations…
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
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Softball Community… We Need Your Help! 2022 Texas Athlete Ella Hutzler & Family Lose Everything in Fire
Originally published Sept. 30, 2021 on Extra Inning Softball
I’ve followed the softball career of 2022 grad Ella Hutzler from San Antonio, Texas for over five years.
In that time, I’ve seen the pitcher/corner infielder blossom into a 6-foot-1 standout who’s earned Select 30 All-American honors and been rated by Extra Inning Softball as one of the top players in the current junior class.
A year ago, we did an Extra Star Power on Ella which you can read below.
Here’s where things are today and we need your help!
On Thursday, the apartment that Ella and her family live in literally burned to the ground and the family lost EVERYTHING they have.
The 32-units at the Cortland View at TPC Complex in San Antonio were all destroyed in a fire that was first noticed Thursday at 1 pm and wasn’t extinguished until Friday morning.
The junior at Antonian College Prep high school and travel ball member of Lady Dukes –16U Gold. She led the team in home runs and RBIs last fall and has also been inducted into three National Honor societies: National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Alpha Mu Theta (mathematics national honor society).
Ella explains how she initially knew something was very wrong:
“At first, a few fire trucks showed up and the fire alarms rang, so we grabbed just a few things and sat in the car and watched, and a couple of more trucks showed up to inspect the apartments. It did not seem like a big deal at first because a few of them actually left.”
“Our fire alarms have gone off in the past and it was usually just a heater burning some dust and making it smoke. So we didn’t think it was a big deal, but my mom’s cousin. who is a deputy, texted and said that there was a reported fire at our building and the radio began to really get active, so that’s when we started to worry a little more. More and more fire trucks came and it seemed okay. There was just a little smoke then all of a sudden around 4-5 more fire trucks came blazing in with sirens and everything.”
Horrifically, she was forced to watch the lose of everything the family owned:
“I went outside and couldn’t believe what i was seeing. I was watching it spread and then finally the heartbreaking moment happened and I witnessed my apartment cave in. That’s when it finally hit me that everything was gone and I broke down crying in my dad’s arms. The rest of the day was devastating watching our building just keep collapsing.”
Ella put up the following heart-breaking Twitter post:
A terrible event happened to me and my family yesterday and we lost everything. If you could help us out anything helps and I appreciate those so much who have already reached out and helped. Just keep us and the other families effected in your prayers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VBd7TZ0Qsv
— Ella Hutzler 6’1 2022 (@ellahutzler42) February 19, 2021
April Hutzler, Ella’s mother, told us what happened in the tragedy, which was directly caused by the unprecedented cold wave that’s hit Texas this week.
“A water heater—that had no water in it—had not detected there was no water and the sensor malfunctioned. It continued to heat an empty water heater and eventually caused an electrical fire.”
Even though fire fighters were called early on, the location of the fire prevented it from being stopped.
“They couldn’t find the fire at first because it was in the walls and between the sub-flooring of apartments 1 & 2,” April continues. “We were the top apartment on 4th floor. Once it started to smoke it really did not take long before it was engulfed in flames because we had no water. The complex had been out of water since Sunday night.”
“Then when the fireman tried the fire hydrant it was completely frozen. They had to truck in water all night. The fire burned until Friday morning.”
Read more about the fire in this article Residents lose ‘everything’ to massive apartment fire in North Bexar County.
Ella has started a GoFundMe page to help raise to assist the family in getting back on its feet, to help provide everything from food to clothing, electronics like computers to furniture.
Click HERE to access the GoFundMe link… please donate if you’re in a position to do so.
As the softball player’s mother explains:
“Everything is gone, everything really. We only have what we were wearing and the car we were sitting in. We lost my Jeep and another car—they were parked in the garage under the building.”
“Once the smoke came, I asked the firefighters if we could move our cars and they would not let us. The building burnt to the ground…. it’s a total loss.”
Of course, many material things can be replaced and will be in time. However, sentimental items signifying memories and accomplishments on and off the softball field cannot.
“Ella is so sad,” her mother explains. “She loves her trinkets, all her paintings—she is quite the artist!—and her little knick knacks. All of that is gone.”
The athlete herself is moving forward with faith that everything will be alright.
“It’s hard to see the bright side of things, but there’s a beautiful book in the Bible called Job. He lost everything and everything was taken from him, but he never lost faith in God he trusted him no matter his situation and God gave him back twice the amount he ever owned. It’s hard to see the bright side of things right now but through everything I trust God.”
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
*****
Extra Star Power: After Medical Scare in 2016, Select 30 All-American Ella Hutzler Gains New Perspective on Life
Originally published Jan. 17, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
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.
*** NOTE: Click on the words in Bold to discover hidden links!
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EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: ELLA HUTZLER
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
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: @ellahutzler42
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.
Tell us about your experience at the USA Elite Select 30 National Training Camp?
Select 30 was an amazing experience. I learned so much from the classroom sessions about college life and what the athletes went through during their journey as a collegiate athlete. I was star stuck by all of the Pride professional athletes. The atmosphere of Select 30 was incredible. It’s not every day you get to closely interact with elite collegiate athletes and professional softball players. To be able to learn, meet and play in front of players I have watched on TV was surreal.
What were some of the best things you learned from the coaches and players at the Select 30 Camp?
Lauren Chamberlin was very interesting because she was so real in her presentations. She gave us great advice on how to brand ourselves if we wanted to continue our softball careers after college. Her insight on how fortunate our lives are to be able to play at the level we play and the fact that our parents travel and spend so much time taking us to places to play the game we love.
My coach was very fun and made the experience less stressful. I was really nervous about being there and performing my best. She helped me stay calm and encouraged us all to have fun.
Coach Stratton, the Strength and Conditioning coach, was extremely informative. He showed us several different ways of how to take care of our bodies by warming up properly, lateral movement and how to prevent injuries. He was a great asset to the camp.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
I have never shared this openly but the one thing that helped me become who I am today was in 2016 I found out I had a tumor in my tailbone. 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. 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.
My entire family along with friends, coaches and everyone I knew prayed for me. On the following Sunday at 8:00 in the morning, the doctor called my parents to tell them all my 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. 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.
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I love K-Pop!
What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
No matter how many times I get knocked down I will always rise up. There is always a tomorrow to regroup and get better.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
I am an artsy person. I have had many of my art projects in shows at school or in the display cases.
If you could have dinner with four people dead or alive, who would it be?
Khalid. His vibe and energy is very positive. Rachel Garcia because she is someone who I admire as a softball player. She can pitch and hit. I want to be a softball player, not just a pitcher. Haley Cruse. She is hilarious on Twitter. Her personality and dance moves are the best. I love that she recently showed a vulnerable side of herself. It showed me to be comfortable with who you are and leave out all the noise of haters. The Korean pop group BTS because as I mentioned before, I am a huge K-Pop fan.
What are you looking for in a college?
I am looking for positive energy, a good education and people who I can see as a second family for four years. If I can get those things and enjoy playing softball, I will be set.
What do coaches say they like most about you and your game?
The feedback I generally get is they like my height, how athletic I am for my height and my ability for being a power hitter. I have also been told they like that I am a versatile player who can pitch, play in the infield and hit well. I have also been complemented by several different coaches on my work ethic.
What’s been the highlight of your athletic career so far?
I’m still waiting for it. Stay tuned.
EXTRA INSIGHTS
What’s the scariest thing in the world? My darkroom at night and the monsters that hide under my bed and in my closet. Also, my big black dog looks like a very scary shadow in the dark. Basically, I am scared of the dark.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? That I am good enough. I will get there one day. To keep working hard and to not compare myself to others.
What’s your spirit animal? Polar Bear. I can smell food from miles away.
Favorite pro athlete: Cat Osterman.
Favorite Movie: “Crazy Rich Asians”
Favorite song/artist: “Boy with Luv” by BTS featuring Halsey.
Favorite actor/actress: Matthew McConaughey.
Favorite TV show: “The Office.”
Favorite motto/philosophy on life: Take the risk or lose the chance.