Hanna’s Castro joins Coastal Bend College
By EDWARD SEVERN
Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Hanna’s Leann Castro finished her Lady Eagles softball career earlier this year, but her softball career is not over.
Castro will continue playing at the college level, joining the Coastal Bend College softball team Friday.
“It feels great,” she said. “I am excited that I finally get to leave here.”
The four-year varsity outfielder will swap the Rio Grande Valley for the bustling town of Beeville, 195 miles away from Brownsville.
“I liked the campus, it was pretty nice,” Castro said. “It was cozy.”
Coastal Bend College reached out to the Lady Eagles’ outfielder three weeks ago. If not, Castro would have enrolled into UTRGV.
Castro was an all-district first- or second-team outfield selection each of her four high school years, Hanna coach Greg Larson said.
“She was the glue that held the outfield together,” he said. “She was the one that was out there and led everyone from the beginning. I think she will be really successful at Coastal Bend. First of all, she is really smart, does well academically, that is the most important thing. She works really hard and is always trying to improve herself. I think she will do really well.”
Castro finished her time at Hanna with 4.4 GPA and finished in the top 10 percent of her class. At Beeville, the outfielder plans on studying either business or forensic science.
“I have always been interested in that part of law enforcement,” she said.
Castro competed at the Texas Public Safety Association’s State Criminal Justice Competition as a senior. Being away for a few days at the competition solidified Castro’s desires to leave the area for school.
On the diamond, Castro batted .295, drove in 11 runs and hit one home run. The outfielder finished the season with 27 putouts and only three errors.
“I am just excited to be able to go and to continue,” Castro said.
Coastal Bend College competes in Region XIV of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
