Rising Star: Isami Fuentes balancing engineering dreams and Baseball5 glory
When Venezuela stepped onto the international stage at the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup in Tepic, Mexico this week, all eyes were on the team making its debut appearance. Among them was Isami Fuentes, the 18-year-old whose passion for both academics and athletics sets her apart.
Venezuela’s presence in the tournament came after their senior side’s strong performances, finishing fourth in both previous editions of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup. Now, the youth team aimed to carry that momentum forward, with Fuentes playing a key support role when needed having featured in three out of Venezuela’s four games in the tournament up to Saturday’s bronze medal game against Mexico.
“I am really enjoying this experience of playing in a WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup for the first time,” Fuentes said. “We have grown up with this game at home so it’s in the blood and we have so much fun as a team, doing our best for our country.”
Balancing Books and Bases
For Fuentes, life is a balancing act between the classroom and the field. In addition to Baseball5 and training as a baseballer and softballer, she is deeply passionate about civil engineering, a career she describes as one of the most challenging yet rewarding paths she could take. However, her love for sports has created a tug-of-war with her academic pursuits.
“Unfortunately, because I was in the pre-selection and came here, I had to cancel the semester,” Fuentes explained. “I stayed in the second semester, but I plan to return to Venezuela and resume my studies again.”
Though engineering remains her passion, Fuentes has also developed an interest in physiotherapy - a field that combines her love for science with her devotion to sports. She hopes to eventually pursue both paths, seeing them as complementary to her dual identity as an athlete and scholar.
A Family Legacy of Engineering
Her inspiration to pursue engineering is not without precedent. Fuentes’ aunt graduated in petrochemical engineering, sparking her interest in the field. “Although engineering is my passion, I really love civil engineering,” she said. For Fuentes, the family influence reinforced her belief that determination and intellect can open doors to new opportunities.
Competing in Mexico has also given Fuentes the chance to experience camaraderie across cultures. She highlighted the hospitality and warmth of both her opponents and the host nation. “The truth is, I think it’s too good, I have been around people of different countries and they are all highly respectful,” she reflected. “The people here in Mexico are too cool.”
Whether she is diving to stop a ground ball at third base or solving complex equations in the classroom, her journey is a testament to the strength of balancing multiple passions. Venezuela’s rising star embodies both athletic promise and academic ambition - a combination that makes her story as inspiring as it is unique.
Categories: Baseball5 , Youth Baseball5 World Cup
