Imperial Valley softball star returns to stomping grounds for NJCAA Tournament
Amber Flores points to her father's influence and Imperial Valley roots to pave successful softball career
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Last weekend, 16 of the nation's top junior college softball programs settled into Yuma for the NJCAA Division I tournament - all with the goal of winning a championship.
One face who stepped off her team bus at the Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex got a familiar look at the region she grew up in and a place where she laid the groundwork for many successful athletes.
Amber Flores grew up in Calexico, California and went on to shine on the softball diamond at Southwest high school before graduating in 2006.
From there, the standout spent her college years as a Sooner for the University of Oklahoma where she became the first ever two-time Big 12 Player of the Year.
Now in 2022, Flores is in her 9th season at the helm of the Seminole State College (Oklahoma) Trojans program - a team that came into the 2022 NJCAA Division I tournament as the #4 seed, looking for its first title.
Through all of the sights and sounds of a crowded national tournament, Flores did find some time to reflect on her time spent in the Imperial Valley and Yuma that molded her career.
"To be able to represent the Valley is awesome," said Flores. "It kind of guided me and forced me to be a tough player and a tough person, and to really be the best of my ability because there is so much talent down there. I played a lot of softball in the Valley and Yuma for travel ball... it's a great place and I feel grateful to have grown up there."
Flores' success making her an influential role model in the community in a journey that began from the first time she could pick up a softball.
"Since I was born, I grew up around a field. My dad was a baseball coach and I feel like since I remember walking, it was all I knew, it was in my blood," said Flores. "Being around my dad all the time and my brother, it was just ingrained in me."
Once softball made a huge impression on her life from a young age, Flores then thrived off of one concept that not only made her excel on the softball field, but translated to life: compete.
A mentality she has carried with her and passed on.
"That's always something that stood out to me since I was a young girl and my dad always saying 'whatever you do, whether it's softball or you want to be a doctor, compete and do it the right way,'" said Flores. "Whether it's softball or life, I try to compete every day. I try to set the right example for my team and show up every day for them."
And using her experiences and wisdom, she had words of advice for any young athlete coming out of the desert southwest.
"If any young ladies are looking to play DI softball, the only way to get there is through work ethic. In this game and life in general, you have to work for anything. If you want something, go after it," Flores added. "I worked for everything that I have and nothing came easy at all... never did I think that a young girl growing up in Calexico, California could do what I've done, and it happened."
And coincidentally enough, Flores' trip to Yuma in hopes of winning a national title landed on the same week of the CIF playoffs - where two Imperial Valley teams would battle for a championship just hours away.
Her hometown of Calexico playing for the Division III title against her former Southwest high school teammate, Melissa Snyder, and the Holtville Vikings.
Flores and Snyder making a CIF final together back in their high school days, as well.
"Melissa is awesome. I enjoyed my time with her and my time at Southwest high school," said Flores. "It's so cool and awesome to see what she's done at Holtville high school and what she's going to continue to do there. I'm super happy to see her have so much success."
Unfortunately, both Flores and Snyder took their lumps in championship week.
Snyder's Vikings lost (4-2) to Calexico on Saturday in the CIF Division III final to end their season.
Meanwhile, Flores' stay in Yuma was cut short as her Trojans fell in the third round of the elimination bracket on Thursday.
Seminole State lost the opening game to #13 Lake Land College, blowing a 3-run lead in the seventh inning, before surviving two straight elimination games on Wednesday. They did that with a thrilling (9-8) walk-off win against San Jacinto and a (5-1) win to eliminate the College of Central Florida later that night.
But the road came to an end on Thursday, losing to Yavapai (14-2). The Trojans finishing with an overall record of (46-4).
