Nevada Wolf Pack Puts on Softball Clinic for Local Children in Puerto Vallarta Katie Rihn - Nevada Wolf Pack
go to original March 7, 2015

From left; senior Ashley Butera, sophomore McKenna Isenberg, senior Megan Dortch, freshman Chase Redington and sophomore Kashmir Huckaby teach local children at the Pack's softball clinic in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Scenic ocean views and palm trees in late-February provided a pristine backdrop for the Nevada softball's team trip to Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge last week, a tournament that also served as a final tune-up for the Wolf Pack's home opener against Idaho State this weekend.
 
But beyond the beaches and the games, the most fulfilling and talked-about part of the trip for the student-athletes happened off the diamond.

Across the street from the field where the tournament was played, in the concrete courtyard of the local Club de Leones, or Lion's Club, head coach Matt Meuchel and the Pack put on a softball clinic for the local school children prior to its Thursday matchup against BYU.

The clinic was made up of four different stations that taught the basic fundamentals of the game including fielding, throwing, catching and properly fielding groundballs.
 
"Working with the kids was a very rewarding experience," said senior Alex Youngberg, a secondary education major at Nevada. "The enthusiasm they showed for us being there and the smiles on their faces really showed us that we were making a difference in their lives."

Pitchers Megan Dortch, McKenna Isenberg and Chase Redington instructed the children at their station the proper softball pitching motion while freshman Alyssa Mendez and sophomore Nikki Orozco, both fluent in Spanish, taught fielding and catching mechanics. At the conclusion of the clinic, members of the Pack handed out Nevada softball t-shirts to the newest Pack fans.

Overall, Meuchel felt it was the most rewarding part of a memorable trip for his program.

"It was an amazing opportunity for our players to share the game they love with children in another country and to see their love for playing sport as well," said Meuchel. "I know that each of our players left that experience feeling touched by the vigor and love that those children had for our sport."

Read related: Triple Crown Sports Announces Puerto Vallarta College Softball Challenge

  Learn about Lions Club Puerto Vallarta