Senior Spotlight: Katie Castellon

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State softball will celebrate its five seniors in its final home series of the season against UNLV this weekend (May 4-6). The seniors will be honored before the first pitch on Sunday. GoBulldogs.com met with senior infielder Katie Castellon to reflect on her four-year career as a Bulldog and all she has accomplished in a Fresno State uniform.

Castellon saw game action all four years as a 'Dog. The Stockton, Calif. native chalked 20 starts and knocked 11 hits as a freshman. Her first collegiate home run came against Santa Clara in the season's home opener on Feb. 13. Castellon wrapped up her first year with a .190 batting average and a .276 slugging percentage. She recorded 83 putouts and 16 assists for the Bulldogs in 2015.

Castellon appeared in 42 games as a sophomore. Primarily at second base, she turned three double plays, logged 29 putouts and 28 assists while maintaining a perfect (1.000) fielding percentage. Castellon earned a spot on the 2016 Mountain West Academic All-Conference team and was named a 2016-17 NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete.

As a junior, Castellon found her place at shortstop where she started all 58 games. She notched 93 putouts and a team-high 87 assists on the year. Castellon hit .203 with a .302 on base percentage and .305 slugging percentage. The junior tallied 26 hits with four doubles, three triples and one home run. Castellon saw another year of Mountain West honors as she was recognized for being a MW Scholar-Athlete and as she earned a place on the 2017 MW All-Conference Academic team for the second consecutive year.

In her final year as a 'Dog, Castellon has 44 hits with 11 doubles, three triples and seven home runs. Castellon has 13 multi-hit games this year, with her best performance at the plate on March 30 against New Mexico where the senior hit two home runs and a double, notching six RBIs and scoring three runs in part of the 'Dogs 14-4 victory. Castellon leads NCAA Div. I with 16 sacrifice bunts this season and ranks in the top three in the Mountain West in batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage in conference games.

Castellon met with GoBulldogs.com to touch on her experience as a Fresno State student-athlete.

Q: What is your most memorable moment as a Bulldog?

Castellon: "My most memorable moment as a Bulldog has been creating friendships that I know will last me a lifetime. Despite the wins, losses and championships, coming to Fresno State has allowed me to make friendships that I know will last long after I leave. I have created a lifetime of memories with my teammates and I will cherish them forever. Eventually I'll forget about the wins and losses but I know the friendships I have made will always be there and that is what I cherish the most."

Q: How was your transition from being a high school athlete to a collegiate athlete?

Castellon: "The transition of coming to Fresno wasn't terrible. I only live two hours away so throughout my 4 years here I have been able to go home basically whenever I wanted to. My family was always able to come down here for games as well. Being apart of this team is also like having a family. You are never alone and when times get rough you always know you have people you can rely on to be there for you."

Q: Who has been your biggest role model?

Castellon: "My biggest role models are my mom and dad. Truly, without them I wouldn't be the person I am today. They have supported me with everything in life and I strive to make them both proud of me. They have made so many sacrifices to get me where I am today and I just hope one day I get to repay them back for all they have done."

Q: Do you have any pregame superstitions/rituals? What is your favorite song to warm up to?

Castellon: "Before every game, I tape my wrist. Right before we get announced on the field I go down to the dungeon and I write three words on my tape along with my sister's birthday. The three words are just motivational words for me. I write my sister's birthday as a reminder of why I continue to push through everyday. Every home game before we hit, we always play "What the Price" by Migos because Coach Shults loves that song!"

Q: How would you describe this senior class?

Castellon: "This senior class is awesome! We are all great friends and we each have completely different styles and personalities. We all get along great and I think that all of them are amazing people. I love this senior class and I will miss them all greatly."

Quick Hitters

Favorite Food: In N Out
Favorite Hobby: Watching Netflix
Favorite Music: Sad songs… I like Sam Smith

"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Senior Spotlight: Katie Castellon

Related News

Players Mentioned

Katie Castellon

Related Videos