MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama softball freshman outfielder Victoria Ortiz sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss her path to South Alabama, one area of her game she wanted to work on this fall and the most influential person in her life, among other topics.

Ortiz signed with the Jaguars after concluding her prep career at Baker High School in Mobile, Ala., where she lettered for six season and was a three-time all-state and all-region selection during her prep career.  During that span, Ortiz accumulated 57 home runs and 309 RBI at Baker, both program records. As a senior, she hit .515 for the Honeybees with 16 homers and 78 RBI, and also had 26 doubles and was 15 of 17 in her stolen base attempts.

For her play, Ortiz was a second-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, as well as a first-team all-region selection by the organization as a senior. She also earned multiple in-state postseason honors following her final prep season as she was a first-team AL.com Coastal Alabama All-Region selection, as well as being named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Super 10 All-State Softball team. Ortiz was a ASWA 7A first-team all-state selection, first-team AL.com Coastal All-Region selection and was named to the AL.com Super All-State Softball Team as a senior, while also being named to the 2018 AL.com High School Prep 100 List where she was ranked 88th on the list, while also finishing seventh in the 2018 Miss Softball voting.

Talk about your path to South Alabama?
"Being from Mobile, I've always known about South Alabama. Once I found out they were interested in me coming here, I came on a visit and loved it. I remember telling Coach [Becky] Clark after my official visit that after coming to campus and being with some of my future teammates, I felt like this was my forever home instead of just the place I had grown up."

Being from Mobile, what does it mean to you to be able to continue your softball career in your hometown?
"It's very cool. A lot of my friends and coaches are able to come see me play. This past fall, my travel ball coaches came and watched some of our games which was really nice. Being here in Mobile in general is much easier and less stressful."

Talk to me about how playing from a perennial power program like Baker helped you develop as a player?
"For me, Baker gave me a huge idea of how I was going to have to work here at South. We had really long and hard practices at Baker, not a lot of high school teams do that. Coming from the environment and way that Coach [Tony] Scarborough ran his program made the transition to college practices so much easier

What kind of an impact do you hope to make on the team this season?
"If I'm in the lineup, I just want to be able to make a difference any way I can. I want to help South Alabama be a force in softball this season."

You mentioned the fall season a few minutes ago. How do you feel the fall went and what did you take out of it?
"Fall went really well for me. The game at this level is very different and it moves so much quicker than it did in high school. I definitely took a lot out of it and learned from those experiences."

Was there one area of your game you wanted to work on heading into the fall?
"I was focused on my play in the outfield a lot because. In high school, I really just played first base, but when I came to South, Coach Clark said that she needed me to work on my outfield play, so that's all I've been doing. I've also worked on my mental game and just made sure that I'm not hesitant with any part of my game."

What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the team and why?
"I compete. I like to think of myself as a fighter. I will bring a winning attitude."

You mentioned your adjustments to this level on the field earlier. How has the adjustment to college life gone for you?
"It was a tough adjustment for me at the beginning learning how to manage so many classes. In high school, it's a little more broken up. Learning how to study at this level was my biggest thing, but for the most part I feel I've figured it out and things have come together."

Is there a teammate of yours who you look up to?   If so, who and why?
"I would have to say Taylor Stevens. Last year after my official visit, she reached out to me and told me how excited she was for me to be here. Ever since then, we've had a close relationship. Even before I arrived here on campus, I knew I could reach out to her if I had any questions. She is just a great person who is such a good role model in every way, not just as a softball player, but as a person."

What type of player can fans expect to see out of the field?
"Like I mentioned earlier, I'm a very high-energy player. I guess fans can expect to see someone who is going to give it their all every time."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"Right now it's health sciences, but I will probably change it. I'm thinking about going into exercise science or pre-med. My goal is to go to medical school. I'm not exactly sure what area I want to go into right now, but I know I want to do something with medicine."

What is one interesting thing that Jaguar fans may not know about you?
"One thing that may or may not be interesting is that I have a very good memory about small details. I can remember numbers or what someone told me they had for breakfast five years ago."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It means everything. I wear it across my chest every day with pride. I'm able to say that I'm a student at the University of South Alabama everywhere I go. That means a tone to me."

Do you have any pregame superstitions?
"I don't really have any type of pregame superstitions, but pre-at-bat I always take two deep breaths before I step into the [batter's] box and I always twirl my bat."

What is your favorite type of music to listen to?
"I like country music."

Do you have a favorite artist?
"Carrie Underwood."

What's your favorite meal?
"My mom's mashed potatoes with any type of chicken."

What's the best advice you've ever been given or seen?
"I once had a coach tell me a long time ago that 'Whatever day you're not working, someone else is.' That's kind of what has driven me for years. I come out to work every day and put my all into everything I do."

What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing softball?
"A memory that will always stand out to me is when we won state my freshman year. Going into that year, I wasn't even sure if I was going to be on varsity, but I ended up starting in the state championship and being a part of that team. That's probably been my favorite thing."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"Usually I'll just hang out with my friends. I also study a lot."

Who has been the most influential person in your life?
"It's probably a tie between my mom and my older brother. There are four kids in our family and all of us are different ages with different needs. She works tirelessly and makes sure we have everything we need. Me and my older are only a year a part. He's always been there with me. He's always been the most genuine, honest and kind person no matter the situation he is in. He always figure out how to handle things in the best way possible."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSout_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the Bullpen Club, the softball specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  Members have access to purchase parking passes and receive Jaguar Softball gear.  All donations to the Bullpen Club go directly to support the South Alabama softball program.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/bullpenclub.

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