SETTING FOOT on the collegiate diamond for the first time, Mia Laurel begins her University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Softball career in Season 80 as one of the newest Lady Eagles. The youngest sibling in a dynasty of ballplayers, Laurel hopes not only to bring glory to the name on the front of the jersey, but to the name on the back as well.
First pitch
Raised with four older brothers at home and on the field, Laurel entered the ballpark at nine years old through the International Little League Association of Manila (ILLAM), but only truly fell in love with the sport at the age 12. “That was the first time where I had coaches that were really hard on us,” admits Laurel. “[They] took it really seriously, so I think that the coaches pushing us made everyone a lot better.”
The baseball diamond was a second home, as her father Arsenic was both team manager and president at ILLAM, while her brothers emerged as some of the league’s brightest stars. Laurel joined her siblings in upholding the family name as a pitcher, shortstop, and a heavy hitter, growing into a force to be reckoned with on both the offensive and defensive fronts.
Out of the park
No stranger to the high level of competition, Laurel has been molded by exposure and experience on the international stage, having competed overseas in countries such as the United States, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia.
Laurel’s credentials include representing Brent International School at the Asia Pacific Activities Conference, and Manila at the South-East Asian Youth Baseball Softball Tournament. Laurel has also consistently suited up for ILLAM at the Little League Philippine Series, eventually competing for the country at the Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament, where she and the Philippine squad earned the right to represent the Asia-Pacific region at the 2012 Little League Softball World Series.
“That whole year was full of great experiences,” says Laurel. “That was the year we won Nationals, so we got to go to Jakarta for Regionals, and then Portland for the World Series.”
Play ball
Despite her local and international experience, Laurel is admittedly nervous about entering into what may be among the toughest chapters of her career. To combat the nerves, Laurel says that the key to success ultimately lies in mental fortitude. According to Laurel, remaining calm and grounded while straying away from her knack for overthinking is what will aid her to play to the best of her ability.
Laurel admits that although winning Rookie of the Year this season would be a great achievement, her primary objective is the team’s success. With talent flowing through her veins, an array of experience up her sleeve, and the traits of a team player beyond personal skill, Ateneo’s new number 17 can be expected to knock it out of the park for years to come.
