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Sports

Mills Alum Pacheco Drives CSM with Killer Instinct

Bulldogs slugging first baseman pairs laidback off-field personality with fierce competitiveness.

Sammy Pacheco is more than meets the eye. While a classmate might describe her as “that chick that plays for the softball team,” the College of San Mateo sophomore is certainly far more complex than your average softball player.

“Sammy P” as her teammates call her, has a laidback personality in the classroom as well as the locker room, but one wouldn’t know that from watching her on the field.

Pacheco, a full-time student who lives in San Bruno, plays with a never-ending intensity that spreads contagiously to the entire team.

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CSM (28-13) could use a big game today from its slugging first baseman as it looks to extend its season in the Super Regionals in Stockton. After a 4-1 loss to undefeated San Joaquin Delta (40-0) on Friday, the Bulldogs face an elimination game today against Sacramento City (33-10). If they win, they would play again later in the day in the four-team double-elimination bracket.

Pacheco’s combination of enthusiasm and ferocious drive may be just what CSM needs.

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“She is the biggest ball of energy and is always a gamer,” said teammate Ashley Rincon. “Sammy wills herself to have great at-bats and great defensive plays because she wants it for herself and for our team. She is a phenomenal player and her positive attitude makes her that much of a better person to be in a team with.”

Pacheco was a three-sport athlete at Mills High, playing volleyball, basketball and softball. After missing her sophomore season and half of her junior year thanks to poor scores in Math and English classes, she returned to softball as a senior. Despite a rough season for the team, Pacheco’s stint as a varsity player was enough to get her noticed.

“Watching Sammy play in high school, I knew she had a combination of power and speed offensively and she had great hands at first base,” said CSM head coach Nicole Borg. “She was by far one of the best athletes in the (Peninsula Athletic League).”

A first-team All-PAL Bay Division basketball player, Pacheco traded Spalding for Diamond in 2010, fully committing to collegiate softball.

“I realized that I had a chance to go much further with softball than in basketball. I’ve always played center or forward and if I was to go on (to the next level) with it I’d have to be like a point guard,” said the 5-foot-8 Pacheco. “I’m not really that good at dribbling the ball, so I wouldn’t do so well with that (laughs).”

“I love basketball, I always will … but I’ve come to realize that I’m much better at softball, and it’s worked out for me so far,” she said.

Along with the change of sports, came a change of mentality, as Pacheco made the dean’s list her first semester at CSM with a 4.0 GPA.

“Coach has an intimidating presence,” said Pacheco, who is also a part-time photographer at the JC Penney's portrait studio in San Bruno. “You know she is serious when she tells you to get it together and worry about your grades. You know she means business.”

Pacheco hit .362 as a freshman, sharing duties at first base with Hillsdale product Stephanie Bautista and earning first-team All-Coast-North honors.

This year, the sophomore has elevated her game – batting a sizzling .418 heading into Friday, with 22 RBIs and three home runs (none bigger than a walk-off solo jack in extra innings to finish off rival Ohlone).

“Sammy definitely has that ‘killer instinct’ that our coaches always talk about,” said Rincon. “She has this kick-ass attitude every time we play another team. She’s out for blood and she’s a die-hard fighter until that last out is made. She has so much talent. … Her qualities as an athlete and her attitude as a person make her an all-around amazing player.”

But it is Pacheco’s work ethic and willingness to better herself that really stand out to her teammates and coaching staff.

“It’s always fun to watch a player mature and grow in your program, and that is what Sammy has done these last two years,” said Borg. “I think she has a newfound respect for the game and ultimately on game day she is determined to get the job done.”

“She is such a great kid,” said Mills basketball coach Dave Matsu. “She wasn’t the most athletic in practice but she definitely worked the hardest and pushed everyone else to do their best. Just a great leader.”

Pacheco is a walking blueprint of Borg’s system and “refuse to lose” motto, which she displays in every play. “I hate to lose, that’s one thing I can’t stand,” said Pacheco. “I’m a winner! I wanna win, and I’ll do anything it takes to win.”

Her toughest pet peeve to deal with has transformed into her most valuable virtue. Pacheco has built a reputation for bouncing back from losses by stringing together several games with a scorching bat.

The most recent example came after a 6-5 conference loss to De Anza – Pacheco went 2-for-3 with a run scored in that game. She turned it on even more in the next two games, going a combined 8-for-8 with a walk, five RBIs and eight runs scored.

It is that same form that propelled Pacheco to the All-state team earlier this month, along with teammate Alyssa Jepsen.

“I was completely excited and so stoked to receive that honor,” said Pacheco. “It felt like all my hard work and goals I set for myself were worth it.”

Pacheco wasn’t short of offers from four-year schools this year as she received them from CSU Monterey Bay, Concordia University at Irvine and Central Michigan.

“Sammy has this happy-go-lucky attitude that is infectious and she is just so fun to be around,” said Borg proudly. “She is the total package that coaches look for – great student, great athlete and she is coachable. She is an easy sell.”

Pacheco recently committed to Lindenwood University, a Division II school in St. Charles, Mo.

But before heading out of state to play at the next level, there is another box left unchecked on her list as Pacheco and the Bulldogs take aim at advancing to the state’s final four by eying a quick rebound in the Super Regionals. If they beat Sac City, they know another showdown with San Joaquin Delta and ace Katie Cotta could be in the cards.

“I just need to come out swinging,” an excited Pacheco said this week before leaving for Stockton. “I had a tough time against (Cotta) the first time, so I plan on shortening up my swing if I get two strikes and just put the ball in play.”

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