Armenta was a catalyst at Texas<br>A&M–Corpus Christi this season

Erica Armenta, 2003 graduate of Winslow High School, was the lead-off batter and second baseman for the Texas A&M-Corpus Cristi Islanders softball team during the team’s 2004 season.

Armenta started all 60 of her team’s games in the lead-off position and was a major reason the team won the Southland Conference and enjoyed a highly successful 39-21 season that included a trip to the NCAA Regional Tournament.

Armenta led the team in batting average in her freshman year, hitting at a .313 clip. The second best average was .285. She also led the team in runs scored with 36, hits with 61, stolen bases with 22 and walks with 25.

Armenta was second on the team in on base percentage with a .407 mark.

She was also second in number of times hit by the pitcher, being plunked on six occasions.

Armenta led the team in a few undesirable areas and was caught stealing where she was tied with five failed steal attempts in 27 tries (most on the team).

Her stolen base percentage was .815, fourth best on the team but excellent considering how many more attempts and successes she had.

The former Lady Bulldog star was fourth on the team in sacrifice bunts with five and total bases with 67.

She was fifth in slugging percentage with a .344 mark and tied for fifth in doubles with six and runs batted in with 12.

During her days as a Winslow Lady Bulldog, Armenta was also the catalyst for the team’s offense and usually the reason the team won close contests.

She started out her high school career as a catcher, but moved to shortstop when it was determined the change would improve the team at both positions.

Not many players were willing to put in the time and effort that Armenta did during her WHS high school career.

She was often seen after games were over or on week-ends with her father, Ed Armenta, taking grounders and extra batting practice.

Ed Armenta was a huge help to many players who took advantage of his generosity with his time and expertise. He continued to help the 2004 Lady Bulldogs and, undoubtedly, deserves some credit for the team’s fine 27-7 season despite having to overcome a series of injuries and other mishaps.

The Islanders will have their excellent mound ace, Sarah Pauly, back for one more season.

Pauly finished the season 27-10 and should be ready for another banner season. She has pitched her team into the NCAA Tournament on two consecutive years.

The Islanders will lose only three players to graduation and will look to Armenta to continue to jump-start the offense, something she did well this season and for four years at Winslow High School.

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