Marisa Reyes is only a junior in high school, but she has already piled on accomplishment after accomplishment as a softball player.

A star pitcher for Sierra, Reyes has played softball since she was 5. Since then, Reyes has become a standout for the Stallions, leading them to their first state appearance since 2002 this year.

Reyes is the Peak Performer of the Year for softball.

“I feel honored because all of my hard work has led to this,” Reyes said. “I didn’t think it would end up like this.”

At a young age, Reyes played several different sports. She tried many, but landed on softball because of the game’s pace, rules and camaraderie.

“It’s just a perfect game to me,” Reyes said.

Marisa Reyes from Sierra is the Peak Performer of 2023 for softball. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

When Reyes reached high school, she instantly made an impact.

Reyes set Sierra’s single-game strikeout record in her first game for the Stallions, recording 20. She finished her freshman year with 219 strikeouts and logged 223 as a sophomore.

But her junior year was her best yet.

She recorded a career-best 3.96 ERA with a 14-5 record. Her contributions didn’t only come in the circle, as Reyes batted .596 with four home runs.

The Stallions finished the season 16-7 and reached the Round of 16 in the Class 4A state tournament, their first appearance in over two decades.

Reyes made history in her first game at Sierra and has continued to do so through her junior year.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” Reyes said. “I feel special and honored that we could make it that far. Next year we’re going to shoot for the same.”

Sierra’s coach, Dustin Matlock, took over the program before the season. He admitted that Reyes was apprehensive about certain things when Matlock took over but steadily became more coachable.

That improved leadership helped Reyes improve as a player and, in turn, led Sierra to a magical season.

“Over the year, she opened up to me and a lot of the other coaches and drove into the coachability,” Matlock said.

Reyes added, “I would say my sportsmanship and my attitude have gotten better. The girls really helped me realize it’s a team game. I’m really hard on myself, so just having them be there for me gave me the realization that I’m not alone.”

Reyes still has a year to think about her next steps. The pitcher said she hopes to play in college but doesn’t know where.

But before that, Reyes hopes to continue the positive trajectory Sierra’s softball team has seen since she arrived.

“We know that we can make it there,” Reyes said. “We have a really good group of girls, and we only lost two girls.”

Matlock added, “It makes you excited. It makes you want to come back as the head coach. She’s been a leader since she was a freshman.”

Marisa Reyes from Sierra is the Peak Performer of 2023 for softball. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)