Catalena (Cat) Sandoval’s first year playing collegiate softball at Feather River College in Quincy, California, was not the season she initially envisioned—but it became one filled with growth, self-discovery, and unexpected strength. From managing the transition from high school multi-sport athlete to a focused collegiate softball player, to navigating an injury that sidelined her for much of the season, Sandoval has embraced every challenge with grace and resilience.
Cat, who began playing softball at the age of three or four, grew up surrounded by the game. Her older brother and sister played sports, and she remembers watching her sister on the softball field with admiration. “One day I was watching college softball and joking with my dad, and pitching against our front door,” she said. “I told him I was going to play college softball one day, and he just said, ‘Okay.’ He gave me my first bat and glove—and that was it.” Her dad, Dom Sandoval, has been a constant presence in her athletic journey, coaching her through the years, pushing her to reach higher, and encouraging her to pursue opportunities she once wasn’t sure were possible. “He played me everywhere, and he pushed me even when I didn’t think I had it in me. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
That early love for the game evolved into a deep commitment that eventually earned her a spot on the Feather River College softball team. Cat said the biggest difference between high school and college sports is the intensity and the demand on both body and mind. “You live at the field in college. Between training, school, and practice, your whole schedule is built around the sport,” she said. “Weight training is mandatory. It’s a big part of preparing for the season, and you really have to be mentally ready for that level of commitment.”
Though she played multiple sports in high school, including volleyball, softball was always her foundation. “I think growing up and watching my sister Adreanna play, I just wanted to be like her—so when she started volleyball, I started volleyball too,” Cat said. “But I had already been playing softball since I was really young, and deep down I always knew that softball was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” Being a multi-sport athlete, however, brought some advantages when she entered college ball. “I was always active and in shape, and I had a fast-paced mindset from constantly switching between sports. I think it helped me work my whole body differently. Volleyball worked my legs a lot, but softball is more upper-body focused. Now I just train everything.”
At Feather River, Cat was designated a utility player, meaning she could play anywhere on the field depending on the team’s needs. This past season, she played mostly in the outfield. Unfortunately, a quad injury limited her to just seven games, but she was able to redshirt the year, preserving her eligibility. “You can play up to 30 percent of the season and still redshirt, so I didn’t lose the year,” she said. “It wasn’t what I expected, but I learned a lot by not being on the field. I still practiced and was part of the team, and I found a new role as a vocal leader. I became the hype person. I made sure my teammates knew I was there for them and that they had support, even if I wasn’t playing.”
Cat encourages other athletes who may find themselves redshirting—due to injury or otherwise—not to view it as a setback. “It’s okay if things don’t go how you planned. You’re still learning, you’re still part of the team, and sometimes you learn even more from the sideline,” she said. “I learned a lot about the game this year, especially from our pitching coach and the position coaches. They helped me slow the game down and really think about what I was doing.”
She also credited her high school coaches with preparing her for this next level. “Veronica and Ray Montanez were my coaches during my senior year, and they helped me grow so much as a player,” she said. “They challenged me, gave me new knowledge, and helped me build confidence in my abilities. I’m really grateful for what they taught me.”
Cat’s recruiting journey wasn’t conventional. She had a recruiting profile but didn’t use it much, unsure if her body would hold up for college-level play. But right before her team headed to the state tournament, she got a call from a coach at Feather River who had seen her stats against Boulder City. “He told me he was coming to watch me at state,” she said. “After the tournament, he offered me a spot on the team. I went on a visit and knew it was the right fit.”
As she looks ahead to her sophomore year, Cat is eager to get back to the game she loves. Her recovery is ongoing, and she’s still working through strength training and building muscle back in her leg. “I’m about 80% right now,” she said. “I’ll be on modifications when we go back, but I’m doing weight training again and just working hard to get back to full strength.”
When asked what advice she’d give younger athletes who dream of playing in college, Cat didn’t hesitate. “Do it. If that’s your goal, go for it. Stay positive, work hard, and be a good teammate. Recruiting is a waiting game, so be patient, but never stop putting in the work.”
She also offered heartfelt thanks to others who helped her believe in herself along the way. “Rich Lauver and Cassondra were huge for me. I was the only freshman on varsity, and Rich took a chance on me. He believed in me before I believed in myself, and that confidence helped shape the athlete I am today.”
With the support of her family, coaches, and teammates—past and present—Catalena Sandoval is well on her way to a successful collegiate softball career. Her freshman year may not have gone as planned, but it provided something even more valuable: perspective, purpose, and the foundation to come back stronger.
