"I would say my number one goal in life is to do things that me happy and make me smile. So if I'm smiling, then I'm happy, and that's all I want in life."

Izzy Pacho
Sport: Softball
Major: Elementary Education
Hometown: Tucson, Ariz.

When Izzy Pacho steps to the plate at Hillenbrand Stadium, there is a different energy in the crowd. The Tucson native is a fan favorite, and the Wildcat faithful, many of whom watched and rooted for Pacho at Ironwood Ridge High School, enthusiastically show their support for Pacho as she approaches the batter's box for her plate appearance.
 
Her name is announced through the PA system, and one of two songs play as she walks to the plate. On Fridays and Sundays, it's Hakuna Matata from the Lion King. On Saturdays it's Homegrown by the Zac Brown Band.
 
Those 10-20 seconds that precede the first pitch of her at-bat encapsulate so much of who Pacho is. The energy and passion from her hometown crowd mimics the same positive enthusiasm that Pacho brings to the team on a daily basis. And while the crowd roars, no matter the day, her walkup song describes so much of what makes Izzy, Izzy.
 
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It's a problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!
 
On Fridays and Sundays, these lyrics play through the PA system as Pacho approaches the plate. A constant source of positivity and always wearing a huge smile from ear to ear, Pacho is a walking embodiment of the song.
 
"I would say my number one goal in life is to do things that me happy and make me smile," said Pacho. "So if I'm smiling, then I'm happy, and that's all I want in life."
 
Softball is a game of failure. Even the best players in the world fail more than six out of 10 times at the plate. It's a difficult game and takes as much mental strength as physical talent to succeed at the highest level. And no matter the situation, good, bad, difficult or easy, there is one thing that you can count on. Whether it's in the Arizona dugout, on the field, in the weight room, during conditioning or anywhere else, Izzy Pacho will have a smile on her face, pushing her teammates and using her energy to help the Wildcats overcome whatever situation they are in. Hakuna Matata, it ain't no passing phase.
 
"Coach Candrea always says 'Control what you can control'," said Pacho. "And one of those things is your energy. And so I always feel like no matter who I'm matched up against or whoever is around me, as long as my energy is high, then that's one thing that I can control."
 
Her energy is contagious, and whether she's on the field showing off her extra-base power at the plate or she's in the dugout cheering loudly for her teammates to succeed, her impact can be felt by every player on the field.
 
"I think in my time here, our energy has outmatched almost every opponent that we've had," said Pacho. "I'm not trying to take any credit away from the starters that got on base, drove in the runs, made plays on defense, but I really feel like if my energy in the dugout isn't there, then it would be a different game. It's so contagious. If I start jumping up and down, then Malia (Martinez) next to me starts screaming, and then Jessie (Harper) starts hollering and then everyone starts cheering. I think energy really helps people when they're at the plate, and hitting is contagious, and then you carry that same feeling out on defense. So I'm just out there trying to create positive vibes."
 
On Saturdays, when Pacho moves from the on deck circle to the batter's box, one of her favorite songs from one of her favorite musical artists plays over the loud speaker.
 
Live in a small town where it feels like home
I've got everything I need, and nothin' that I don't
Homegrown
Homegrown
 
Born and raised in the Old Pueblo, Pacho is living out so many young Tucson athletes' dreams. The catcher starred at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley, where she helped lead the Nighthawks to back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016. She hit .653 with 13 doubles and nine homers as a senior and was named first-team all-state, all-region, all-district, all-city and all-conference. And now, Pacho gets to play at the same stadium she grew up attending games at, trading in her bleacher seat for a spot on the hollowed field where some of her childhood heroes once played.
 
"It's very special for me to be able to play here in my hometown," said Pacho. "It's kind of crazy. People come up to me after games and show me that hometown love. It's an amazing connection I have with our fans. So I chose Homegrown by the Zac Brown Band as my walkup song because I wanted to give some love back to our fans. This is where I grew up; this is my home."
 
Pacho's love for the city of Tucson goes well beyond the University of Arizona, but it can't be understated how much being a Wildcat has meant to Pacho and her family.
 
"Tucson is so special because of the people that I've been surrounded with my entire life," said Pacho. "I've grown up with Wildcats surrounding me. We grow up going to games and it's just a fun environment to be in. I love the weather and going hiking. And it's not too big of a town, so I just, I really love it. It's perfect."
 
Pacho, who just completed her second year at her hometown university, is an elementary education major. In her free time she likes to hang out and play video games with her little brother. She loves spending time with kids and giving back to her community as much as she can. The cancelation of the 2020 season has allowed Pacho, who is normally playing softball until the weather reaches triple digits, to enjoy the beautiful spring months hiking in the four mountain ranges that surround Tucson.
 
Tucson will always be home for Pacho, who constantly represents her city and Coach Candrea's softball program in a first class manner.
 
Been so good to me, takin' it easy
Why would I ever leave?

Homegrown