Believing and Achieving
Craig Lawson
Three years into her collegiate softball career at South Carolina, Marissa Gonzalez had appeared in 138 games, including 80 starts, for the Gamecocks.
She was an SEC All-Tournament selection as a sophomore and led the team in steals as a junior.
Then, South Carolina made a coaching change. On a Friday prior to what was supposed to be her senior season in 2025, Gonzalez and a handful of teammates were cut from the team.
The NCAA transfer portal was closing three days later. Gonzalez and her teammates had a little more time because of the coaching change, but she felt it was crowded already and she was behind in the process.
So, she made a decision that put the “student” part of student-athlete first. She stayed to earn her degree.
“The goal was to get my degree and I didn’t want to throw away three years because of circumstances that were happening,” Gonzalez said. “I got my degree in public health with a minor in business and figured I would take my chances in the portal the following year.”
Family Tradition
For Gonzalez and her four sisters, softball is a family tradition. Her oldest sister Kriss was injured in high school and did not have the opportunity to play in college. But she inspired her siblings.
Jessica played for Division II Dixie State (now Division I Utah Tech) as a catcher/first baseman and provided a game-winning grand slam that sent her team to a 2018 Super Regional.
Sarah was a three-time All-MAC selection at Bowling Green playing in 228 (227 starts) of the Falcons’ 229 games in her career, primarily at third base.
Marissa’s younger sister Jocelynn has signed to play at New Mexico next season.
Transfer Process
“My worst-case scenario was I was going to come out of college debt free with a degree,” Gonzalez said. The transfer process was a little scary, but as time went on, the support of my parents and the people in my corner was comforting.”
Gonzalez had chosen South Carolina over Nebraska, but now she wanted to be closer to her home in Kingsburg, California.
“At first, a lot of East Coast schools showed interest,” Gonzalez said. “(Boise State head coach) Justin (Shults) had recruited me when I was younger and when he reached out, I still had his number saved in my phone. He set goals for me during my recruiting visit and believed in me.”
One of the goals Shults talked about was a double-digit home run season. Gonzalez achieved that with 14, tied for the most by a Bronco in 2026. She batted .311 and led the team with 48. During a three-game sweep of San Jose State last weekend, she closed her career with a five home runs and 12 RBI.
“I wish we could have had her in our program for more than one year,” Shults said. “She was playing her best softball at the end of the season.”
Gonzalez attributed her success to an even-keeled approach instilled in her by her dad, Dan.
“He would say if someone sees you in the dugout, they should not be able to tell if you are 0-for-4 or 4-for-4,” Gonzalez said. “He taught me to never get too high or too low. As a leader, I am not the most vocal person. I do like to inject humor. But you have to get know people first. Not everyone needs the same things. I like to let people know they can come talk to me if they need something, almost like a big sister role.”
The humbleness that exudes from Gonzalez can be traced back to her parents and the values important to her family.
“Both my parents had rough childhoods, and they were independent at a young age,” Gonzalez said. “My dad was sweeping floors for five cents an hour as a 10-year-old. They got married young and started a family. They have made sacrifices to make sure my sisters and me have opportunities they didn’t have. They are the best examples I could have had. The more I know them, the more I love them and the more I respect them.”
Softball is not the only thing Gonzalez is finishing at Boise State. In July, she will complete a master’s degree in business administration. She will become the first in her family to earn a master’s.
Following graduation, Gonzalez plans to pursuing a career in medical sales.
