OTHELLO — Othello senior Emi Pruneda signed to play both soccer and softball at Walla Walla Community College last Monday, celebrating furthering her athletic career with family, friends and coaches.

“I was super excited and also nervous,” Pruneda said. “Setting everything up and as people rolled in, I was like, ‘It’s getting real.’ I’m very thankful for my parents who sacrificed a lot of their time coming to tournaments, taking me where I needed to be. Without them, none of this would have been possible. My coaches who all showed up, shout out to all of them – they all played a huge role.” 

Pruneda had originally taken a visit to Clackamas Community College in Oregon City, Ore., but after playing a basketball game at Prosser in December, she was approached by three Mustang players who had signed to play soccer at Walla Walla CC. 

“Three of their girls came up to me and said that their soccer coach was looking for a goalie,” Pruneda said.  

They were familiar with Pruneda’s work in the net through playing against each other in the Central Washington Athletic Conference, where Pruneda was named an all-league goalkeeper during her junior and senior campaigns.  

“I took a visit (to Walla Walla CC), and the coach was amazing,” Pruneda said. “... He could talk about any specific position, all 11 spots on the field and was very technical. I think that’s what really got me.” 

Shortly after her visit with the Warrior women’s soccer program, a visit was set up with WWCC’s softball program. Pruneda played club softball with Moses Lake pitcher Paige Richardson, who signed with the Warriors in January. 

“Knowing a lot of familiar faces, it’s close to home – I think that’s what really drew me to Walla Walla,” Pruneda said. 

“Everything she’s done – she's made contact, she’s done everything herself,” said Robert Pruneda, Emi’s father. “I think that says a lot about her commitment of wanting to play.” 

Pruneda started playing both sports when she was around 7 years old, playing with her older sister who was 10 years old at the time. 

“I kind of got thrown into the deep end with both sports, so I was very scared when I was tiny, playing with girls who were three years older than me,” she said. “But I got the hang of it and ever since then, I’ve been playing up. I think that helped me, just the exposure.” 

The Othello senior said she’s looking forward to traveling with teammates the most, as well as sports serving as a motivator in the classroom.  

“You can’t have these bonuses if you don’t get your schoolwork done,” she added. 

Signing to play softball in college only adds to the excitement for the upcoming softball season, Pruneda said. Over the past two seasons, Pruneda has received back-to-back first-team all-CWAC honors on the diamond. 

“I’m just going to have fun. As long as I’m out there with the girls, I’m having fun,” she said.  

    Othello senior Emi Pruneda runs to second base during a game in the 2024 softball season. Pruneda received back-to-back first-team all-CWAC honors in her sophomore and junior seasons.
  

    During a district playoff game against Ephrata, Othello senior Emi Pruneda saves a penalty kick. Pruneda will play both soccer and softball at Walla Walla Community College.