Spring Break
West Coast woman
The junior moved from the East coast to the West Coast to be close to home
Jose Martinez
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Sports
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The junior left fielder for the Sacramento State Hornet softball team has made quite a splash in her first year at Sac State.
A transfer student from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Cabrera never lost her step, even though she moved 2,348 miles in order to continue playing softball closer to home.
Growing up, Cabrera spent all of her youth in Vacaville, before being faced with a difficult decision during her senior year of high school.
While attending Vacaville High School, Cabrera was recruited by both the College of Charleston and Sac State to play second base, and was forced to decide whether to stay close to home or move across the country.
"I wanted to be different, and I love to travel," Cabrera said. "I wanted to explore a different world, and it's a whole different world there and I liked that."
At the College of Charleston she excelled at the plate as well as at the multiple positions she played in the field.
"I was recruited as a second baseman, but Charleston needed an outfielder so I ended up there," Cabrera said.
After making such an important decision one would think Cabrera would be disappointed for not being able to play the position she originally signed up for, but Cabrera looks at it differently.
"Just as long as I'm starting, I will play anywhere - I don't care," Cabrera said. "I will catch if I have to."
In her two years at the C.O.C. Cabrera was a two-time all-Southern Conference selection, including a first team choice in 2007.
In what ended up as being her final season as a Cougar, Cabrera posted a .313 batting average, had eight home runs, five stolen bases and drove in 34 runs. She lead the team to a 34-26 record, including a 14-7 record in the Southern Conference.
Toward the end of her stint at the school Cabrera started to get mixed emotions about playing for the Cougars.
"The team in Charleston wasn't where I wanted to continue playing for," Cabrera said. "I wanted the vibe of people who wanted to all be there and wanted to play, and I didn't feel like it was going there."
Along with not being completely satisfied as a Cougar, Cabrera continued to feel as if her parents were missing a good portion of her playing career.
One moment that stands out in Cabrera's mind in which her parents missed out was when she accounted for her team's only run in a game against the University of Tennessee, hitting a first-pitch home run.
Now that Cabrera has transferred to Sac State her parents attend every game.
"It means a lot to have my parents come to my games; when they're not there you realize how much you miss that," Cabrera said.
Coach Kathy Strahan is also glad to have Cabrera donning the green and gold Sac State uniform.
"Izmena is a lot of fun to coach … she is a very gifted softball player and a natural-born hitter," Strahan said.
It didn't take long for Cabrera to continue her hot hitting ways. In the team's first 10 games of the season she went 11-for-34 at the late with two home runs and 10 RBI.
Being a good hitter for Cabrera is something that is instilled in her by her love for that part of the game.
"I prefer hitting because it's the best part of softball … anyone can field the ball, anyone can catch and throw, but it takes skill to hit," Cabrera said.
Coach Strahan has taken advantage of Cabrera's ability to hit the ball, placing her in the toughest position in the batting order: clean-up.
"On our team the toughest spot in the line-up is batting right behind Jamie Scholredt. That's why I put Ice there, because she can handle that," Strahan said.
"She loves to be in pressure situations at the plate, and she gets a lot of them."
A pressure situation can't only be seen at the plate, but for a transfer it can also be seen in the dugout.
Luckily for Cabrera she was able to reunite with some familiar faces here at Sac State.
Playing in the American Softball Association with current teammates Whitney Loomis, Rachel Miles and Schloredt prior to leaving for college made the switch a bit easier. Strahan saw the bond form as soon as Cabrera arrived on campus.
"She was an instant hit the minute she arrived … it helped that she rejoined three of her previous teammates from summer ball, but she is a very popular player indeed," Strahan said.
Along with the her three previous teammates, Cabrera knew another familiar face on the team - Teri-Ann Caoagan, who served as her host on her recruiting trip to Sac State.
"She's the life of the party; she's the person to turn to if you need a smile on your face," Caoagan said about her new teammate.
Cabrera continues to put up great numbers and her teammates have noticed; after 43 games this season she is batting .346 with eight home runs and 39 RBI.
"She's outdone everyone's expectations … she's very consistent as a hitter, which is a great quality to have," Caoagan said.
Loomis was excited when she received a call from Cabrera telling her that she was officially a Hornet.
"It was very exciting. Having played with her before I already knew what she was doing," Loomis said.
Having the correct attitude to be an athlete is a must and Loomis has noticed that Cabrera's is perfect.
"She's a gamer - she comes to win and expects a lot from her teammates," Loomis said.
Cabrera admits to still missing certain things about Charleston, but isn't mad about her choice to transfer.
"I'm always going to miss a few things about it, but I'm glad I made the decision to come back," Cabrera said.
Jose Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@statehornet.com
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