Class of 2029

Xavier Alexander attends Cougar Mountain Middle School and plays baseball for Issaquah Little League.
Through the Hometown Nine program, Xavier is interested in expanding his baseball skills to become a stronger and more confident player and teammate.

Opal Andrews plays softball with New Level and is seen as a leader who helps keep the team’s spirits up with her own enthusiasm and determination. She wants to broaden her softball community through the Hometown Nine program by meeting others who are as passionate about softball as she is.

Aaric Empey attends Aylen Junior High and plays baseball for New Level. He hopes to play high school and college baseball in the future. When not playing baseball, Aaric enjoys playing the trumpet, singing in the youth choir and volunteering with his family.

Santana Matos plays second base for Ballard Little League and Sting NW while also pursuing football and
basketball in the off-season. One of the exciting elements of the Hometown Nine program for Santana is the mentorship support to help him achieve his future goals of graduating high school and playing college baseball.

Michie Ngotel is a multi-sport athlete who plays softball for Acers Fastpitch and has made the USSSA All
American team. She is motivated and inspired by other athletes and is ready to learn from the all the opportunities available through the Hometown Nine program. One-day, Michie would like to start a softball program in Palau, her family’s home country.

Elijah-Railee Pinto-Hopfe attends Glacier Middle School and plays for Seattle Fastpitch Club. She loves softball “not just because it's fun but because I get to make connections with my teammates and coaches.” Elijah-Railee’s goal is to be the first female in her family to get an athletic scholarship to college.

Levi Rivera plays for Baseball Beyond Borders where he is seen as leading by example with “a quiet poise and listening ear.” He can often be found teaching his sister and neighborhood friends to play baseball. Levi has a goal to be a part of MLB or a mechanical engineer.

Tyler Scott plays for Renton Little League and Seattle Fastpitch Club. Off the field, Tyler has many interests including band, Taekwondo, cooking and gardening. Tyler stays true to herself in all she does, noting that “even in spaces and places that I don’t see myself in, I still belong, and have something to offer...I know that there will only ever be one of me, I bring my mannerisms, my style to the table in all that I do.”

D'Angelo Sinson has been eager to apply for Hometown Nine since he first heard about the program three years ago. D’Angelo’s mother describes him as a hardworking and determined kid whose “whole life revolves around baseball.” D’Angelo’s goal is to become the first person in his family to graduate from college. He states that “I want to make my family proud but also my community and show other kids like me that it is possible; that even in hard situations, you can do it.”