From Staff Reports
Published: Monday, September 8, 2008
Pensacola Junior College softball player Geraldine Puertas hit one around the globe for PJC even though Team USA hammered her home country, Venezuela, 11-0 at the Olympic opener Aug. 12.
The PJC sophomore is an infielder/designated hitter for the Venezuelan team, which is experiencing its first Olympics. Softball preliminaries continue up to Aug. 20 when medal play begins for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Puertas, a recreation technology major, leaves Beijing Aug. 22 and heads straight for PJC. She is the starting third baseman for PJC and returns for the 2008-2009 Pirates softball season.
PJC softball coach Brenda Pena and team members caught Day 1 of the Olympic softball tournament at Pensacola’s Kooter Browns restaurant. They watched Puertas make sports history for her college alma mater and home country.
“It was such a proud moment,” Pena said. “I was proud for her and proud for PJC to have one of our athletes on the international stage playing against the best players in the world.”
In her freshman year at PJC, Puertas received recognition for All-State second team and Academic All-Conference honors. She was also voted to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Team.
“Geraldine is an outstanding person,” Pena said. “It is a great feeling to know you are helping people not only in your own backyard but from around the world.”
“Educating the youth of today is the key to our future success. While Geraldine is here getting a quality education, she is sharing her international experience with us.
“She is a tremendous teammate and as unassuming as she is talented. She is gracious and thankful in her actions. I can’t wait for her to return to see her smile, hear her laugh and to hear all about her Olympic experience. I am proud to be her coach.”
For more information, contact Pena at 850-516-7689.
