Cuesta College Athletics Department is proud to announce this month's selections for the Cuesta Athlete of the Month.  This distinct honor recognizes two Cuesta College Athletes each month during the school year who have performed to the highest standards in their sport.  Our female selection for March is Outfielder Emily Valdez.

Returning All-WSC Outfielder Emily Valdez has sparked Cuesta Softball's drive for the program's first playoff berth since 2015.  A multi-tool star, Valdez hits for both power and average, steals bases and is a gold glove outfielder.  On offense she is the Cougars' leadoff hitter and offensive catalyst.  Anytime Valdez gets on base becomes a scoring opportunity for the Cougars.  She has reached base a combined 50 times, between hits, walks and hit by pitch, and come around to score a team-leading 37 times (4^th in State).  The switch-hitter is batting a team-high .410 on the season, while leading the team with 11 extra-base hits for a team-best .600 slugging percentage.  Once on the base paths, Valdez is 5^th in the State with 20 stolen bases.  It has been suggested that Valdez's glove is where flyballs go to die and that two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered by water and the rest is covered by Valdez.  She set a school record for outfielders with eight putouts in centerfield as her defensive highlights led Cuesta past #3 Monterey Peninsula on March 23 and her 65 catches this season rank third on the team. All time at Cuesta, Valdez ranks 4^th in both career runs scored (65) and stolen bases (38).

Softball ended March in second place in the Western State Conference and riding a season-best five-game winning streak.  The Cougars are 17-12 overall and in 2^nd place in the WSC with a 6-2 record against the circuit.