In the heart of Huntington Beach, California, Freshman Anaya Togia found her calling on the Softball field of Long Beach City College after not choosing to go to a division one (D1) school.
Fresh off a 17-4 season, Togia was named South Coast Conference MVP after a dominant season hitting with a batting average of .511, the best batting average in California, and eight home runs all as a freshman.
“Not only her athletic ability, she is a pleasure, she makes us laugh every single day. Even in high pressure moments she has something funny, or something light hearted, or something kind to say to her teammates, even to her coaches,” Director of Softball Operations Megan Martinez said.
Like many young softball players, Togia started her career off playing tee-ball when she was about six years old and then travel-ball playing third-base.
Togia continued playing softball at Marina high school playing shortstop, where in her senior year she made the all-cif division two team.
“It was a big thing to be part of the all-cif team. I feel like my name was getting thrown around a lot and I felt like I did my part,” Togia said.
After graduating Marina high school, she dreamt of attending a division one school like many young athletes dream of.
Togia chose not to attend a division 1 school due to her grades which made her want to stop playing softball until assistant coach Mike Rogers convinced her to come play first base for the Vikings.
“Growing up everyone has a dream that wants to go d1, like UCLA, Stanford, all those other schools but I went the route where my grades weren’t very good in Junior year, so I was like I don’t really want to play softball,” Togia said.
Togia currently leads the Vikings in home runs with eight, at bats with 122, hits with 63, doubles with 20, and runs batted in with 57.
‘“I never really look at statistics and like how I’m doing but I think it’s good, also as a freshman this year,” Togia said.
In late March, Togia was even named player of the week by the California Community Fastpitch Coaches Association.
“Coming in as a freshman, it’s scary, it’s nerve racking but I just stuck to the simple things and just tried my best,” Togia said.
Both Togia and the Vikings look to finish off the regular season and start the Regional Playoffs on May 3.