Thriving Under Pressure
When she’s in the pitching circle, no challenge is too big for Aliyah Rincon. But the first major challenge in her life came before she ever threw her first collegiate pitch.
In her senior year of high school, Aliyah was ready to continue her softball career and pursue a nursing degree at Concordia University in Oregon. But the school unexpectedly closed its doors that spring, leaving Aliyah in search of a new home.
“I basically had to start my search all over again. I had never heard of Midland, but my high school coach connected me with Midland. I was looking at nursing schools and loved both Midland’s nursing program and the softball team. It turned out to be a great choice for me.”
Now, amid her senior campaign, the Granada Hills, California native is excelling in the classroom, in the nursing field, and on the softball diamond.
She has become one of the most accomplished pitchers in the NAIA during her storied career. She is a two-time All-GPAC performer and was an Academic All-American in 2023, as well an NAIA honorable mention All-American. She has more than 60 victories in her career with an Earned Run Average under 2.00.
Aliyah has been at her best when the games matter most. During the 2023 NAIA Championship round, she allowed just two earned runs as Midland stunned favored Oklahoma City in a best-of-three series to advance to the NAIA World Series. Midland went 2-2 in the World Series, concluding the most successful season in the program’s history with a 41-15 record.
She has been playing softball since she was four and pitching since she was eight, so feeling comfortable with the ball in her hand is nothing new to her. “I love the pressure, and I thrive under it. I enjoy the close games the most, and that’s the competitor in me. Ever since I was young, I’ve wanted to win.”
The 2023 team stamped itself as the greatest in program history and created memories that will last a lifetime. “Last season was such a whirlwind of emotions because we started the season strong, then in the middle of the year, we couldn’t figure out how to win, then we had an unexpected end to the season. The announcer at the World Series kept referring to us as the “little team from Nebraska could’ because no one expected us to be there. I will carry those memories with me forever.”
While softball has always been a focal point of her life, it wasn’t until her senior year of high school that she decided nursing was her future. “I knew I wanted to do something in the medical field, and nursing felt right for me. I enjoy the patient interaction.”
Aliyah is completing her preceptorship this spring at CHI Health Lakeside in Omaha. After graduation in May, she plans to pursue a job in the nursing field near her hometown in California.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying my last couple months of college. I’m sad it’s almost over, but I hope to make some more memories, especially for our softball team.”
Aliyah Rincon is a senior nursing major from Granada Hills, California.
