Living by optimism

Former Southwest softball pitcher stays positive as Coronavirus Pandemic continues.

Imperial Valley native Sadriena Rodriguez lives by the code of optimism in her life as a student athlete.

Her positive mindset has served her well as a Southwest Eagle.

Rodriguez thrived as a multi-sport student athlete in the sports of volleyball and softball; but it didn't take her long to realize that her calling was in the latter.

Her talents on the mound and the outfield were recognized her freshman year, as Rodriguez spent all 4 years of her high school career on the varsity softball squad.

Rodriguez eventually had a breakout season her junior year; going an astounding 25-2 overall as the club's ace pitcher, with 217 strikeouts and an earned run average of below 1.5.

That season, Rodriguez would help the Eagles soar their way to a CIF-San Diego Section Division 3 title.

Her success in high school softball opened the door for the next level, as she joined up with the College of the Mines in Colorado.

But, her dream of playing collegiate softball was halted by the Coronavirus back in March.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, Rodriguez found herself being sent back home to the Imperial Valley due to the shutdown of her school and it's entire athletics program.

But, the optimistic mindset that had cultivated over the years would serve her well yet again, in this time of isolation and uncertainty.

"I am just trying to do my best by staying positive. I know there's a lot of negative outlooks that we can try to have in this situation, but I think I stay the most productive when I'm trying to be positive in the smallest things; like lifting weights, running, and stuff like that."

Rodriguez knows that this pandemic will run it's course.

And when it does, she wants to be ready to continue thriving in her new role as a relief pitcher and in the classroom.