East County Athlete of the Week: Sarai Castro

For the first time in seven years, Braden River High softball lifted a district trophy. The Pirates defeated Northeast, 10-2, in the FHSAA Class 5A-District 10 title game April 29. Freshman center fielder/left fielder Sarai Castro homered and tripled, finishing 2-for-4 with a team-high five RBIs. Her .585 batting average is the best of any Pirate. Castro is the East County Athlete of the Week.

What made the district title a special moment?

The district championship was important, especially because of the diversity in athletes that we have. It's not predominantly from one team or another. We have a whole variety of athletes coming from everywhere — all different types of experiences. We hadn't got a district championship in the past seven years, so it just means a lot for me and everybody.

What's been the source of your success at the plate?

I actually had been struggling with batting before this high school season, so I made my mindset more simple. Instead of, "Let me focus on my hands, let me focus on my hips, let me focus on my feet," I think, "See ball, hit ball. Swing hard. Make contact." It makes it simple for me to get the hits that I need to, especially under pressure like in the district championship.

What do you enjoy about playing on this team?

It's not only the wins that make this season amazing. It's just a team, in general. The bonding that we've gone through — we know everything about each other, we hang out perfectly. "Team" is the most important thing, so I think that's what makes this season different than the other seasons prior.

What were your goals entering your first season with the Pirates?

I was focused on making an impact on the field and in the box. Especially in the box, because I know what I'm capable of, and I didn't want to do anything less for this team. If I know everybody else on this field is giving 100%, I want to give 110%. Leave it all on the field — that's my goal.

When and why did you start playing softball?

My dad (Vicente Castro) was a professional baseball player, so I got into it pretty young. At 2 years old, I was swinging a bat. I actually quit softball at one point (in 2023), but I found my love again when I realized that it's not only about the ups — it's about the downs as well. It's a roller coaster that you just have to continuously understand. When you get down, that's when you realize that you'll get higher. That's how I have the bond with the game.

Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

Right now, it would probably be Caitlin Clark from the WNBA. She's just so amazing. She came from nobody knowing her to making her own impact in the game.

If you could go anywhere for a dream vacation, where would you go and why?

Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm in a geography class and we learned about it. It has a bunch of ancient things there, and I find history so fascinating.

Finish this sentence. Sarai Castro is...

Courageous. I go out, I do new things and I've been confident.