REEDLEY – Before lacing up her cleats for her final season with the Reedley Pirates, Ariana Zarate participated in a couple of softball camps to showcase her skills. And as she proved her talent and potential are ready to burst out, she caught the attention of some recruiters for the next level.
At the Elite College Camp in Stockton and the Superior Showcase in Elk Grove on Nov. 9, some scouts from Alabama A&M University took notice of Zarate’s potential. As the softball-filled day turned fortuitous for her, Zarate was pleasantly surprised to discover the next chapter of her softball career.
“I got offered my first camp ever at Sacramento – I went there and got a lot of looks, and Alabama A&M had offered me a scholarship on the spot, so yeah, I went ahead and did that,” said Zarate.
Zarate was invited to a separate camp in Alabama on Jan. 17, where she got her first glimpse of the exciting collegiate softball future that was within reach. If first impressions are everything, then the scouts from the Bulldogs’ program obviously liked what they saw from Reedley’s veteran infielder and utility player at their camp.
Representatives from Alabama A&M officially extended an offer to her to become a Bulldog, and on Jan. 28, she made the commitment. After her first official visit on March 8, Zarate felt right at home in the Bulldogs’ environment.
“They paid for my plane ticket to go over there and just look at the school, and I liked it over there,” said Zarate. “I like the people, I liked the girls, it was just so fun. And as soon as I came back, they gave me a call and told me that they’ll offer me.”
While ecstatic about her offer, Zarate entered her final high school season still feeling like she has a lot to prove. With that mindset and work ethic, Zarate desires to give maximum effort in every facet of her game.
“I feel like I proved a lot – I would say prove to my coaches why they kept me and why they have me,” said Zarate. “Prove to them that I’m the right fit, and everything, so I always try to make sure I do the best I can.”
Swinging for the best
Almost a month into the 2026 season, Zarate is dazzling on the diamond with Reedley and validating all of the talent that the scouts recognized.
According to stats in MaxPreps, as of May 23, Zarate is currently among the top three team leaders in batting (.379), hits (11), RBIs (9) and runs (12). While there’s still plenty of season left to be played, she has no plans of taking her spikes off the accelerator.
“(The scouts) went ahead and told my coach that, ‘Hey, this girl’s legit, I really like her,’” said Zarate. “So, obviously, I want to do good, and just keep it going.”
Zarate is also gunning to elevate herself among the best of the best in the Tri-County-Sequoia this season. And according to Zarate, who was honored with a spot on the TCCS All-Conference Second Team last season, becoming the best in the TCCS is attainable.
“I’m trying to get First Team All-League for sure,” said Zarate. “So, I really want to bump that up this year, just to get First, maybe MVP if I could.”
Along with excelling on the diamond, she just wants to go out, have fun with the teammates that helped elevate her play and win for the team before leaving the program. According to Zarate, Jamilah Taylor, Jocelyn Fonseca, Delillah Marin and the rest of the Lady Pirates support is crucial to her success this season and beyond.
“They are always proud of me for what I do. They always make sure that I’m a good player, and they tell me that as well,” said Zarate. “I think it’s good that they have a great mindset to me too, because it also shows me that I can play well and play for them, too … just to have a good season, have fun with the girls and just to make sure I’m playing for the team.”
