Sehren Martinez has refused to let a series of left arm injuries derail her softball career at Cal Poly. The 2023 Ceres High School graduate hasn’t lost her love for the sport despite being tested mentally and physically multiple times.

“I worked my whole life to play college softball,” she said. “Although I haven’t had the best of luck with injuries, I’ve been able to contribute. I have a strong support system—parents, siblings and friends.”

Martinez was cleared by doctors to resume physical activity at the beginning of the month.

“I’m currently rehabbing my whole left arm,” she said “I started hitting and fielding again. That’s exciting.”

“For a long time, I was playing with pain,” Martinez added. “There were no answers. I thought it was in my head. When I got the scans, I felt relieved.”

Martinez was limited to just four starts as a junior with the NCAA Division-I Mustangs this past spring after fracturing her left thumb diving for a ball at second base during a preseason tournament in San Diego.

She ended up playing in 24 games.

Martinez batted .500 from the plate with five hits, nine runs and three stolen bases in 10 at-bats for Cal Poly, which amassed an 11-35 overall record and finished in eighth place in the Big West Conference standings (5-22).

“Redshirting was not an option for me,” said Martinez, who wrapped her left-handed cast in foam for games. “I wanted to contribute as much as I could. I still traveled with the team. I became the No. 1 pinch runner, which was very surprising to me. That was my role.”

Martinez suffered a season-ending injury sophomore year.

She made 39 starts, including 31 at second base, and appeared in 41 games before rupturing the ulnar nerve in her left elbow.

She batted .239 on the year with 17 hits, two doubles, two RBIs, six runs and six stolen bases in 71 at-bats.

“I had to have reconstructive surgery,” Martinez said. “I felt a lot better after I got the surgery. I could finally play pain-free. I came back a lot stronger junior year.”

Martinez appeared in 36 of 45 games as a freshman.

She started 26 times, including 22 at second base.

Slowed by a fractured left wrist, Martinez batted .203 from the plate with 15 hits, two doubles, one RBI, seven runs and nine walks in 74 at-bats.

“It was frustrating,” she said.

Martinez has high hopes for her final season with the Mustangs.

“I talked with my coach about transitioning to the outfield,” she said. “I definitely feel I can improve my numbers. I’m very passionate about softball. I love playing the game. I just want to have fun.”

Martinez has welcomed the challenge of being a Division-I student-athlete.

She’s majoring in psychology.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” she said. “It was a big change going from high school to college. It’s basically a job. Balancing everything is definitely difficult. Prioritizing my academics has been important to me.”

Martinez earned six varsity letters during her prep athletic career at Ceres High, including four in softball and two in volleyball.

She helped Ceres High’s softball team continue its winning tradition.

A four-year varsity standout, Martinez filled a key role in propelling the Bulldogs to a pair of conference titles and two playoff berths.

Martinez enjoyed her best season to date during her senior at Ceres High, which posted a 15-8 overall record, finished in a three-way tie for first place in the WAC standings (11-3) and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-II playoffs.

She batted .554 from the plate on the season with two homers, seven triples, 11 doubles, 31 RBIs, 32 runs and eight stolen bases.

She made just two errors while starring at shortstop on defense.

Martinez earned first-team all-league honors senior, junior and sophomore years.

She batted .469 with two homers, seven triples, 20 doubles, 59 RBIs, 69 runs and 22 stolen bases in 48 career games.

Martinez committed just six errors.

The Bulldogs totaled 56 wins.

“She’s one of the best shortstops to come through Ceres,” said Mike Corsaut, Martinez’s softball coach in high school. “She’s a great player.”

Martinez is the second person from her family to compete at the college level.

Brother Haadyn, a 2017 Ceres High grad, played basketball for Luther College in Iowa.

“I’ve always looked up to him,” she said. “Our relationship has always been competitive. We’re very hard-headed and want to always win.”