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Gabby Salcido (rightt) signing her NLI with PVCC head coach Nick Candrea.
Superior High School senior Gabby Salcido recently announced that she has signed with Paradise Valley Community College to play for the Pumas’ softball team.
Salcido, primarily a shortstop on the Panthers’ 2015 State Championship team, chose PVCC over some other schools that offered her.
“The school just fit me really well,” Salcido said about her choice. “It’s a very small school and didn’t want to start off at a big school. (PVCC) just felt like home. The coaches are really nice. There is tutoring (available) and the school really helps with academics. It’s a really good school and I never considered any other schools once I visited (PVCC).”
In addition to her soon-to-be four-year varsity career at Superior, Salcido also played travel softball over the last three seasons for the Phoenix Heat, AZ Lady Dragons 97, and the Arizona Hot Shots.
PVCC coaches have indicated that she’ll play her natural shortstop position for the Pumas.
Salcido credits her travel experience for exposing her to colleges throughout the state. She also acknowledged some schools approached her and some Panthers’ teammates after last year’s State Championship game.
As a junior, Salcido batted .562 with eight doubles, six triples, five HR, 31 RBI, a 1.291 slugging percentage, and a 1.924 OPS. She led the Panthers in triples, HR, RBI, and SLG Pct. Her batting average was the second highest on the team, just behind 2015 graduate Cierra Navarrette’s .589.
Her career numbers at Superior are equally impressive: .503 BA, 14 doubles, nine triples, 17 HR, 67 RBI, a 1.038 slugging percentage, and a 1.618 OPS.
Salcido’s parents – Dora and Joseph – have played a big role in her softball success, both serving as coaches during her playing career.
“My mom will have coached me all four years in high school and it was awesome to experience winning a state championship with my team and having my mom on the same field as (us)” Salcido told the Superior Sun. “My dad also coached me in little league and senior league. He’s been very instrumental in keeping me focused. We always work out on the field and hitting too. I’ve loved having both of them as parents and as coaches.”
In addition to earning her degree, Salcido hopes to continue her collegiate softball career after she’s done at PVCC. She may have a leg up on other Division I recruits across the nation considering Pumas’ head coach Nick Candrea is the brother of current University of Arizona head coach Mike Candrea.
Salcido, who plans to study Nursing, was asked what she’s most looking forward to about attending PVCC.
“Just playing at the next level and being exposed to other big schools,” she responded.
But before she’s off to start the next chapter of her softball career and life, Salcido is anxious defend last year’s state title with her Superior teammates.
“I just hope our last year is the best year and we finish on a good note,” she said. “I’m really excited to play with these girls again for the last time.”
“It’s going to be exciting.”
Indeed it will, Gabby.
Now and later.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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