Gonzalez makes most of her moves

BENTONVILLE -- CJ Gonzalez can make herself at home almost anywhere on the softball field.

The senior has spent time at shortstop, second base, first base and catcher this spring, and she's even been the designated player -- like she was during Bentonville's home game Tuesday afternoon against Fort Smith Northside. She would be willing to do even more if coach Kent Early asked, as long as she doesn't have to stand inside the pitcher's circle.

"I can also play third base and in the outfield," Gonzalez said. "I play practically every position but pitcher.

"I tried pitching when I was younger, but it's not that good. It would get over the plate, and I could throw strikes. It's just not very fast."

She can adjust to any spot on the field, and the same can be said about her transition to the Lady Tigers. When her senior year of school started, she lived in San Diego.

All of that changed in November when she and her family moved to Bentonville. Meanwhile, Gonzalez took the changes in stride.

"I'm pretty easy going," she said. "I'll go wherever. I'll make new friends. I just love playing softball."

"I was pretty nervous at first. It's a lot different than my school in California because it was a lot more lenient. When I tried out for the team, the other players were welcoming, and coach Early really made it fun."

Early thought he had his team in place this season, but he had heard when classes first started in August that Gonzalez was on her way to town. When she finally arrived, he couldn't wait to see what kind of player she was.

It didn't take long for Early to realize Gonzalez deserved a spot on the team.

"She stepped up and fit right in with the girls," Early said. "She was probably a little reluctant at first, but I'm sure she's now glad she made the move.

"She has a little grit in her, and she has a little sassiness in her that I love. That's what makes her an effective player. You know, nothing rattles her. She always, 'Let's go get them. C'mon, let's go.' That's just her personality, and that's what she brings to the table."

Gonzalez has been a solid contributor on both sides of the field with no errors through 19 games. She entered Tuesday's game against Northside with a .300 average with one double, seven runs batted in and six runs scored, but that raised to .326 thanks to her best day at the plate this season.

She went two for three with an RBI and three runs scored in the Lady Tigers' 19-o rout. She belted an RBI triple as part of a six-run first inning, and she added a double as part of Bentonville's 13-run explosion in the second.

"She's done some good things for us," Early said. "She's got great defensive skills as far as staying below the ball and pushing through. Her footwork and glovework are outstanding."

Even before she played her first game with the Lady Tigers, Gonzalez had mapped out her future. She signed a letter of intent in late February to play at Eastern Oklahoma State, located in Wilburton.

Lady Mountaineers coach Kendra White, who played college softball at Arkansas-Monticello under Alvy Early, Kent Early's father, told Gonzalez she will be expected to play shortstop there. It's actually the spot Gonzalez said she would play if she's restricted to just one position.

"I feel like shortstop is the leader role, other than catcher," she said. "You can see everything. You also communicate and others communicate with you. You can have control of the whole game out there."

Sports on 04/21/2016