July 13, 2010

BERKELEY - From the start, senior infielder Vernae Sevilla has made an impact on the Cal softball team, earning Pac-10 honorable-mention status her freshman year after hitting .241 with 23 RBI and seven doubles. Sevilla missed an early portion of the 2008 season due to injury, but she had a career-best three hits and a career-high four RBI to open the season. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native finished the 2009 season racking up 15 runs and 35 hits. A key player at the hot corner, Sevilla contributed 18 RBI this season, 21 putouts and 90 assists. The 5-7 righty is majoring in sociology.

CalBears.com: What is your best Cal story or favorite Cal experience?
Vernae Sevilla: I think it's the whole overall experience of being a part of Cal Athletics. It is a very big honor to be apart of this community. When I first arrived at Cal, the entire athletic family welcomed me, and I really felt like I belonged to something important.

CalBears.com: Has Cal lived up to or has it been different or better than the expectations you had of it as a freshman?
VS: I feel that Cal has lived up to my expectations. It is just as challenging and fun as I hoped it would be. It really helped prepare me for the real world. Additionally, I feel that it has helped me build connections that will help me in the future, and I am very grateful for it.

CalBears.com: What has been the most embarrassing thing in your years at Cal?
VS: I was walking in front of Doe Library. It froze the night before and I stepped on some black ice and slid for about 10 feet. It just so happened that my friend from the basketball team was in front of me, and he caught me. There were only about 10 people around, but I was grateful that he caught me and I didn't fall.

CalBears.com: What advice would you give to freshmen?
VS: Work very hard and learn how to manage your time. There is no point in stressing over this part of your life. Enjoy your college years and take advantage of everything that is offered to you at Cal. Have the best time of your life in Berkeley and live life to the fullest everyday.

CalBears.com: What was the best class you took?
VS: The best class that I took at Cal would have to be Sociology 133, which was about gender. The class really opened my eyes to how the world is run and the large extent to which gender roles play into our society. The professor was really enthusiastic about her work and her students so it was the most fun class I ever took at Cal. I came out of that class with a head full of new knowledge and ways of thinking I never thought I would have.

CalBears.com: Do you have a favorite game or play or road trip?
VS: One of my favorite games was during my junior year. We were playing in the Palm Springs tournament, and we were playing Illinois. After we had an hour-long rain delay, we came back and I came up to bat with the bases loaded. I checked in with Coach Ninemire, who told me to make sure it was the pitch I wanted, which pretty much meant to not swing at the first pitch. I swung at it anyway. I hit the first grand slam of my career. It was the best feeling in the world.