Ortis is invaluable to Marble Falls softball
CAPTION: Marble Falls outfielder Aydan Ortis is the Lady Mustangs’ only senior on the 2024 roster. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
Only one senior is on the Marble Falls High School softball roster — Aydan Ortis.
Ortis is relied upon to offer her experience to underclassmen still learning their positions and to help them remain calm in getting three outs to get out of an inning.
The outfielder calls herself a position utilitarian, which gives coaches options on where to put her.
“I play roughly every position on the field,” she said. “I have experience playing every position at least once. I really like playing the outfield and center field. When I’m playing it, it gives me the mobility to do what I can do.”
She first learned the play the sport in tee ball at 6 years old. Softball is her primary sport, she said, thanks to the influence of her family. Her dad and sister played softball, while her brother played baseball.
Ortis said the squad feels more like family than teammates.
“My teammates around me are very inclusive,” she said. “We’re all various ages. It feels more like a team. I really like the people. Playing the games are very fun, very enjoyable. I meet a wide range of people.”
She also commits herself to encouraging her teammates, no matter the outcome of each play, at-bat or game.
“It’s very fun to cheer on my teammates,” she said. “I have learned that a lot is the mental game. All of it comes from what we think. Coaches teach having a strong mentality.”
The daughter of Samantha Ortis and Johnny Ortis plans on attending Syracuse University to become a civil engineer.
“I was told the northeast colleges are the best,” she said. “Syracuse seemed like the best fit for me. I got accepted. I want to focus on building bridges and highways and take in the environmental aspects. A lot of what I decided is thanks to my parents. They tell me I shouldn’t have to worry about what I want to do because they’ll support me no matter what.”
As the Lady Mustangs wrap up the 2024 season with final home appearance against Burnet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, Ortis said hopes her teammates have great memories of her as they have provided some wonderful moments for her.
“I have a lot of fun with them,” she said. “If we go to the playoffs or not, what matters is to have a good time with these girls. I want them to remember me as someone who had fun and very down to earth. Let’s have fun and love the sport.”
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