Leaving Her Legacy

Riley Sartain credits Texas A&M Softball and head coach Jo Evans with aiding her in accomplishing two of the three goals she set for herself when she was younger. Sartain has always dreamed of playing softball at Texas A&M University, playing in the Women's College World Series and competing in the Olympics.
 
"Texas A&M Softball has given me everything I had hoped and dreamed for. It's given me the opportunity to keep playing the game I love and to go to the World Series," said Sartain. "Coach Evans is the reason I get to wear a Texas A&M uniform. Not only has she taught me so much about the game, she has helped me become a great person off the field. That is something I will never be able to repay her for."
 
 
As Sartain prepares to graduate in May with a sports conditioning degree from the university she's dreamed of attending since she was a young girl, she reflects on her time as an Aggie. 
 
"Growing up, it was never really a question as to whether or not I was going to be an Aggie. I've pretty much known this is where I belong since I was out of the womb. I've always wanted to go here, regardless of sports, so it is beyond my wildest dreams that I actually got the opportunity to play softball here. I feel incredibly privileged and grateful," the third-generation Aggie said.
 
Sartain, who has been referred to by Evans as an anchor for the Aggies over the last four seasons, has played a huge part in the Maroon & White's success through her leadership, knowledge of the game and performance on the field.
 
 
The lone senior in the Aggie Softball program has played in all but three games since enrolling at Texas A&M and her presence does not go unnoticed.
 
"She's a real calming force, keeps us on our feet and makes everybody around her better. She is the epitome of consistency," Coach Evans commented on Riley's leadership. "She's always been somebody we can count on and so we'll miss that steady, stable and consistent influence when she graduates."
 
The Aledo, Texas, native entered the weekend leading the team in multiple offensive categories including home runs (6), slugging percentage (.522) and walks (21). For her career, Sartain holds a .297 average and .546 slugging percentage after tallying 168 hits, including 36 home runs, with 135 RBI. 
 
As a sophomore in 2017, Sartain led the squad in batting average with a .350 mark and a team-leading on-base percentage of .446. After pounding out 13 home runs and driving in a team-high 49 runs, she was selected as a NFCA Third Team All-American, marking the 38th time an Aggie has been named an All-American and 16th under Coach Evans.
 
Although Sartain has proven to be prosperous at the plate, she has made a name for herself at third base because of her defensive prowess. The 2017 All-SEC honoree has registered 221 putouts and 419 assists, while posting a .960 career fielding percentage.
 
 
"Let's face it, nobody plays defense better than Riley does. She's just throwing the leather around and wherever we would play her, she'd be the best. Riley is that player that you always want the ball hit to," Evans voiced about the senior.
 
Despite Riley's success on the diamond, she hopes to be remembered for the person she was off the field, as someone who strives to live by Texas A&M's core values.
 
 "I want to be remembered for how passionate I am and how relentless I am in the pursuit of everything that I do. I hope that when I leave, people say that I held myself to a higher standard than the rest of the population and I always handled adversity well," Sartain said.
 
 
In Coach Evans' mind, she'll be remembered as that and so much more.
 
"She'll be remembered as somebody with impeccable character and as somebody who exemplifies our core values. Her parents have raised her to be a leader, to stand on principle and be a person of character. That is the legacy she is leaving with me," Evans stated.
 
Sartain became the sixth Aggie to be chosen in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft as she was selected 18th overall to the Aussie Peppers on April 15.
 
In addition to continuing her softball career with the Peppers in Minnesota, Sartain also has plans to create a place online where young athletes, softball and baseball players in particular, can join her team and find defensive drills, offensive drills, mental coaching and tips to deal with adversity, in an effort to give back to the sport that built her. She is also working on writing a bible study book geared towards baseball and softball players. 
 
"I think a lot of people in this sport go through a lot of the same things whether that's struggling on the field or struggling with being on a new team. I think we all go through pretty similar things so to have people to connect with that know what you're going through and can give you advice would be pretty cool," Sartain added.
 
As senior day approaches and reality starts to sink in, Sartain recalls all of the memories and opportunities Aggie Softball has granted her.
 
 
"Texas A&M Softball has given me the opportunity to meet some incredible people that I will call friends forever. This program has given me the opportunity to impact the lives of so many people," the four-year starter expressed. "The biggest thing it's given me is the confidence to know that I can handle whatever comes my way. Playing softball with Texas A&M across my chest is something that I'll never take for granted."
 
Riley Sartain, the player who grew up idolizing former Aggie softball players Amber Garza and Jamie Hinshaw as a young girl and dreamed of wearing the Maroon & White, now serves as the role model for the next generation of Aggie softball players.