CORRECTION: A previous version described American Samoa as a separate country to the U.S., when it is a U.S. territory.
Lela Asi, the speedy Vikings softball outfielder, who has been a key part of the huge success during the softball season, shared her story on how she started playing softball, and told of a recent time when she almost gave up on the sport entirely.
The softball team is looking to repeat as state champions this year under coach Megan Martinez.
Asi, who graduated from Millikan’s class of 2024, is currently a sophomore, going into her second year with the Vikings softball team and is pursuing an associate’s in business marketing.
Though she is currently doing well academically, she was struggling to keep up during her freshman year of college.
“I will say I did struggle a lot last year, trying to get adjusted to college classes, but I have for sure have gotten a lot better, like I have really got the groove of it,” Asi said.
Asi began playing baseball around the age of four or five when she lived in American Samoa.
She then moved out to California with her family, and that’s when she was introduced to softball at the age of 7.
She explained how her sisters were also the reason why she began playing softball.
“So they (her sisters) were put in softball, so I saw them playing it, and I wanted to play too. They are big role models for me and we actually live together,” Asi said.
Asi talked about her time in a place where she was going through a lot mentally and she was close to not wanting to play the game she loved so much growing up.
“I will say last year, I had a little moment where I was really in my head, going through a lot of family things as well. I wasn’t sure that softball was for me anymore, so I took a break, or I basically quit. A little before the season, coach Meg (Megan Martinez) was asking ‘Are you sure? Is this what you want?’” Asi said.
She continued, “I thought that I was sure that’s what I wanted. Until I realized that in my little break that I really do love softball, and it did a lot for me. And then she (coach Martinez) welcomed me back, thankfully,” Asi said.
Asi shared what she discovered in her time off, mentioning how softball is a safe place for her.
“It’s like a community to me, it was like an outside source that I could go to and forget about my outside problems and it was just a very nice environment to be in,” Asi said.
Asi’s mother has been a huge supporter of hers, and when her mom moved to Arizona, it was hard for Asi to adjust and live without seeing her mother there by her side.
“She does visit me and my sisters when she can, and my other siblings come along as well during their spring break so we can see each other and bond with the amount of time we have,” Asi said.
Although Asi has been getting consistent playing time this year, she has been dealing with a bone contusion that caused a big hematoma on her foot from a line drive caused by one of her teammates during a match.
“I wasn’t really able to walk or run, so I was out for a game and then I came back to the next. I’ve been the designated hitter for a while, and then I came back onto the field,” Asi said.
When asked about the leadership and the expectations of playing under a successful coach like Megan Martinez, Asi said, “Be prepared for a lot of tough love from the coaches, they seem like they’re mad at you but it definitely comes from a good spot from their heart. They want the best for you and they do care.”
Asi did show a lot of applause and appreciation for one of her teammates, Mikaela Pacheco, who is also her best friend and was there for her during her hard moments in life.
“I have my best friend on the team, who was also my teammate in Millikan, where we met, and she picked me up and she’s always there,” Asi said.
Going into the final regular season games of the year, Asi is mentally prepared for what’s to come and to be able to defend the team’s state championship.
“Yeah I feel like we’re in a really good spot right now in the season, as we didn’t feel like we were playing well at the start. I feel we do have a good shot at winning or getting second place this year, so it was the groove that we’re currently in right now,” Asi said.
The Vikings softball team’s stats is currently 29-8 overall, 15-5 in conference, and they are currently on a 12 game winning streak. Their next game will be at home against El Camino on April Tuesday at 2 p.m..
They will also go against Santiago Canyon on Wednesday at home at 2:30 p.m..
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