As the Boston University softball team hopes to take advantage of decent weather this weekend, senior catcher/outfielder Gabi Martinez is tied for the team lead in RBI with 17 and is second on the Terriers (8-20, 0-3 Patriot League) in both batting average and home runs.
The Weston, Florida native took the time to answer some questions for The Daily Free Press’ 20 Question series.
- In the early going, conditions have been tough, and coach said you have not practiced on your field since the fall. How much tougher does that make game preparation?
We have the great chance at working at the [Track and Tennis Center], which is our indoor facility, which is really good for offense. It’s hard to replicate the same hops defensively from that sort of surface to being outside so we’ve kind of struggled in that aspect. It’s not ideal, but it’s not something we’re not used to.
- You’re listed on the roster as a catcher but have been playing in the outfield as well, how have you adjusted?
I firmly stand by the philosophy that you need to step up and contribute to the team in any way, shape or form. It’s definitely hard because I love catching and catching is my passion, but at the same time, I’m going to do what I need to do. The outfield is great. Jilee and Emma have been really accommodating, they’re very vocal and they help me and that’s kind of humbling. I feel myself, as a senior, I am a voice and a leader but in the outfield I’m like, “Oh wait, I don’t really know what I’m doing,” so I rely more on them and their leadership and it’s kind of nice to find a balance between that.
- Going into college, what softball skill do you feel was most ready for this level?
I would say my catching and my defensive ability.
- What aspect of your game have you improved on the most over your career?
My approaches to my at-bats mentally have changed so much from freshman year to now and I think in turn that has helped my offense a lot.
- You’ve won the Patriot League title twice in your career, how do you use your experience to teach your younger teammates?
You always want to play with that goal in mind, to make it to the conference [championship] and to be on TV. That’s all exciting, but it’s more that we have a standard for ourselves. We know we can compete in the Patriot League, and we have the ability and freshmen just need to get on board with that. We have a goal in mind, and we want to take them there with us.
- How old were you when you first started playing softball? Did you play any other sports growing up?
So I was 8 years old when I started to play softball and I began catching when I was nine. I was kind of just put into it. I loved flag football. We were county champs in middle school, it was a lot of fun. I did shot put for a bit in high school. Coaches wanted to recruit me to play basketball and stuff like that because I was somewhat athletic, but I definitely specialized in softball. Oh, I also did cheerleading, fun fact. I did it in high school.
- With the MLB season just getting started, do you have a favorite team or favorite players?
Miami Marlins, I always want them to win. I feel like I have to cheer for the Boston Red Sox because they are just a great team in general. Two of my favorite players are Giancarlo Stanton and Javier Baez.
- What BU sports teams do you like to keep up with?
I really respect women’s lacrosse. We work out a lot with them in the weight room and I feel like they have a similar energy like we do. They’re always cheering and loud and energetic, and I respect them a lot. Track, track’s been doing well, especially the senior class. Toria [Levy], Justin [Flynn], David [Oluwadara] — they’ve all been doing amazing, they’ve all stepped up. They’re the epitome of athleticism, so I really respect them.
- Who is your closest friend on the softball team?
I’m really close with Makinna Akers, she’s my roommate. I catch her a lot, we are together a lot, we’re in the same college. I work a lot with Alex Heinen, too, and she’s just a joy to be around. She’s a ball of happiness.
- What is the best road atmosphere that you have played in?
Obviously, the most exciting is when we go to regionals … my freshman year I want to say that was more exciting than this last one. We almost beat [Louisiana State University] and it was my first time in a setting like that. I hit a homerun, that was amazing. That moment is always going to stay in my head.
- When your team goes to Florida or California, how valuable are those trips?
I think it’s great and it’s also humbling because flaws are exploited and you see how your teammates pick you up and respond in different situations.
- Who would you say your biggest Patriot League rivalry is against?
Lehigh [University] right now, especially this last weekend that we came off of with them. They’re a really good team and they have a reputation in the Patriot League of always taking it. We have taken it from them and I don’t think that they like that, and we’re coming for them again. We’re definitely going to face them again at some point and we plan on hitting them harder than we did this last time.
- What would you say has been the most notable moment of your career?
I want to say it was actually this year when I hit two back-to-back home runs in Florida. My family was there, it was my coach’s birthday, my grandparents’ 50th anniversary, my grandmother’s birthday. It was just a big day.
- What is your favorite non-softball thing to do with your teammates?
We play hacky sack before games and I find that very entertaining. We have a group Snapchat and some of the stuff that’s in there is ridiculously funny. Spikeball is good. We don’t get a chance to do spikeball as much, but when we do, it’s very, very competitive.
- What’s the toughest class you’ve taken at BU?
That’s a tough one. I would say it’s between general chemistry and physics. I want to say general chemistry because I was a freshman when I took that class and I had to revamp my entire studying method.
- Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?
I am applying to medical school. I’m taking a gap year so during that time, I’ll be applying and I’m looking for jobs that within this next year will help me get clinical experience and promote more learning so that when I do go for a med school interview, or get accepted — knock on wood — hopefully, I will be able to demonstrate to people this is something I’m committed to and I’ve shown that by continuing my education in this field.
- Do you have any interest in coaching?
I do! I actually have been considering looking into the teams that I came from. I’ve noticed there’s a shortage of female coaches in younger travel ball teams so I do want to pay it forward and coach and work with little girls to inspire them.
- What’s your walk-up song, and why?
Mmy song right now is called “Mayor Que Yo” by Daddy Yankee and Yandel and Wisin. I’m obviously Hispanic, my mother’s Colombian and my father is Panamanian, so I always like to pick a song of Latin origin because I do like it to be known that I am of a different ethnicity.
- What’s your favorite meal when you go home?
I love this thing called arroz con coco, its rice and coconut. It’s a Colombian thing and my grandmother makes it for me. It’s absolutely delicious and reminds me of home. It’s like a sweet form of rice, it’s like coconut rice.
- If you could live anywhere for the rest of your life, where would it be and why?
This is tough because I really haven’t explored that many places. But, I love being home. I love Miami and I love everything that it embodies. The weather, the culture, but you know, our trips to San Diego have really opened up my mind to the West Coast. It’s got to be somewhere warm, with beaches and diversity. Boston has been a great pit stop.
