Team Spotlight: The Mystics Fastpitch Program’s 12 Keys to Success

The “SJ” in the “SJ Mystics” original club team name stood for “South Jersey” where the organization started, but since then the program has grown to include teams from both coasts.

The rising softball program has expanded into nearby Eastern states including Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania and has even taken the Mystics name all the way to the West Coast where a team just started in the state of Washington thanks to the relocation last spring of original co-founder Stacey Jackson.

Adam Dorman runs the organization overall.

Today, Bryan Garrett—who also runs the BG Catching & Hitting facility where personal instruction is offered—heads the Mystics’ two National Teams at 18U and 16U and coaches the Pennsylvania-based teams. The program also has a 16U Regional Team and a pair of 14U squads.

Over the last two years, the following half dozen 2023 Mystics grads have made it to the next level:

Div. 1

• Anna Sidlowski (Marist)
• Sophia LoPiccolo (Central Connecticut State University)
• Sabrie Purnell (Howard University)
• Ceara O’Neal (Central Connecticut State, decided not to attend)

Div. 2

• Kylie Ingram (East Stroudsburg University)

JUCO

• Dakota Marshall (Gaston, NC)

…. while this quartet of current high school seniors (2024’s) have signed NLI’s:

• Devon Wach (Flagler College)
• Gracie Granate (Central Connecticut State University)
• Noelle Flail (Rider University)
• Victoria Oliveira (Central Connecticut State University)

*****

Here, in the words of Coach Garrett, are the 12 positive factors behind the organization’s growth to becoming a high-level fastpitch program…

1 – Preparation for Life

Coaching is a calling and not everyone is fully committed to the calling.  I have some special people around me who get it is all about the girls and not about a personal ego.

I think sometimes people get caught up in the wins and losses and not what our greater purpose is.  To me the greater purpose is preparing our girls for life and what life may throw at them.

I have had the pleasure of coaching with Amy Ingram for nine-plus years—from down the street of our house through regional travel to the National teams we currently coach.  We have been through a lot together and started with our two daughters and now coach without daughters in the organization.

Amy is possibly one of the greatest female role models you want to come across and the glue to everything on our team and behind the scenes.  Amy, a few years ago, was diagnosed with breast cancer and her first thoughts shared to me were “How do I tell the girls?” and “I do not want to miss any time away from them.”

If that is not the picture of selflessness, I am not sure what is!

*****

2 – Experience

Saying we have been through a lot on and off the field is a significant understatement.

Amy and I have both been volunteer coaches for this journey and continue to be. I talked her into being a volunteer for 50 percent the time. Needless to say, she is usually one of the first ones there and does not tend to miss often.

I think I may have promised Frank Flail our third coach the same. Frank keeps trying to retire, but we keep pulling back to be a part of our program!

When you have great coaches and people it is tough to see them go.

John Tredinnick and TJ Martinez both have been on staff over the last three seasons coaching the 16U National team which was our 14U National team previously.

This year we added Ed McFarland to the great culture we have and also added three teams at the 16U level and two more at 14U.  We truly have brought in a great group of coaches, players, and families with these teams.

*****

3 – Growth Mindset

Our coaches have created a growth mindset that has led to everyone working together in the same direction. Our coaches understand it is about the girls, for the girls and have dedicated an obscene amount of time towards volunteering and upending their personal lives to help our girls because we truly are a family!

We are excited that we have again brought on more great people dedicated to our girls’ growth, fundamental improvement and vision of players wanting to be in our program, growing in the program and remaining through the end of the program.

We are focused on growing our program, with our players and families and not having a high turnover rate of players as we are seeing in the sport and locally from many teams.  We know everyone is not always going to be happy or agree with what we are trying to do. This is the nature, as you know, for coaches.

We hope to help the majority of families understand the growth mindset of our teams, keeping in mind coaches are volunteers.  We are trying to focus on the life skills off the field as much as the personal responsibilities it takes for the recruiting process, individual player growth and the high expectations we hold for the individual and team.

*****

4 – Playing With Purpose

In our area for the level of events we are playing, prices are lower than the rest of the teams trying to help families manage and provide everyone an opportunity to play on the highest level they and the team are ready for.  We are not trying to sell a reachable goal, worry about a “brand” or making you chase a dream that will cost you more than most college scholarship opportunities!

We are realistic, want our families to know the truth and build character by leading with character.

Coach Amy and I are both teachers with over 35 combined years of experience.  We have approached coaching from the standpoint of keeping it FUN and promoting a “grind” mentality to our players. We tell our players we will never win walking on the field but we sure will be successful by outworking, preparing for our opponents all off season while trying to simplify it during the games.

Our goal is not to just fly around the country, but to play at the highest level possible while traveling with a purpose for our national teams. Regional programs will be more Northeast based with an event or two traveling outside the region to prepare them along the way for the road they are pursuing in softball.

*****

5 – Focus on the Big Picture

Over the last summer, we had some great moments including:

• beating another national program at Scenic City that previously had 22 straight wins,
• playing in the Power Pool on Championship Sunday in the Triple Crown Myrtle Beach Summer Nationals,
• making runs to the finals at the Outlaws Invitational.

This team tagged themselves #TeamFun which we retired out of respect for those girls who most played with/on our team or program for three-plus seasons some as much as eight years together.

The most important aspect of this team is that they got the big picture and to this day are still on a group chat in college together sharing funny stories, visiting each other and coming back to games to say high and help the girls still in the program.

This year we have taken on a lot of 2026 players starting with a young core with five seniors leading the way helping them continue to grow at the highest level. Four of our seniors just signed to play D1 softball and are great players.

Our fifth player, Maya MacAdams, has chosen not to play in college, but is a huge part of who we are and what we strive to be!  Maya is pursuing becoming a doctor and the team loves her wit and goofiness along with her fun fact for the day.

She works as hard or harder than the next, shows up, competes and does a great job in whatever her role is for the weekend.  Maya sometimes does not leave the field and others play less, but she never has said a word about playing time either way and just does her best every day.

She is the tone setter for a team along with our other hard-working seniors. Maya is a leader by example and always will be.  Maya wants to be a doctor someday and I am sure she will reach this goal. She is one of the smartest kids you will meet but because of the work ethic and already mature approach to life she has off the field.

*****

6 – Playing With a Chip on Their Shoulders

As a team we have already had some big wins along with the growing pains of the young team.  I credit this to who our girls are and the chip they play with on the field.   We have played in front of over 75 college coaches with many great ones at all levels coming to see us play.

We have so many great stories on our team from players signing with their top pick of schools to a Northeast player only wanting to play in Florida and study Marine Biology and reaching the goal to a player suffering a devastating injury leaving her bedridden for six months.

Victoria Oliviera coming back is one for the ages and we can’t forget Gigi Granate, who can only be summoned up by saying that’s “Gigi.”

*****

7 – Recruiting Success

We are thankful to Stacey Jackson and Adam Doorman, the founders of Mystics, who have given us an opportunity to run our teams and build and expand out of Pennsylvania.

Their flexibility and trust have allowed us to create independently what is best for our families.   They have done some amazing things for the sport, too, being an established 501(c) non-profit organization.

They have on their own, starting with the initial program out of New Jersey, placed over 200 student-athletes that fit their academic/athletic profile.

To date, Mystics Fastpitch has:

• produced 20 collegiate Regional All-Americans,
• 52 collegiate All-Conference players,
• 73 collegiate career record holders,
• 57 collegiate single season record holders,
• 5 college coaches,
• 1 NFCA All-American.

*****

8 – Player Development

We have a comprehensive player development program that includes skill development, workshops, recruiting programming and personalized training plans.

We have instituted the Tom House throwing program through a certified instruction, JA Pitching, which has been tailored and individualized for every player.  He has done an awesome job with also implementing the foundations into our throwing warmup for each team.

We have also personalized our hitting program for our players, too, understanding what overall individual skills they need to develop with an overall program to focus their growth.

Finally, we’ve brought in individual college coaches and programs to work with our players and also provide opportunities for our coaches to learn and grow from all the previous mentioned.

*****

9 – Technology Integration

We utilize technology such as video analysis, performance tracking apps, and sports science tools to assess and enhance player performance.

Players have continued access to the technology and can choose to take more advantage of it outside of practice and games to help their growth.

We are also utilizing metrics to show their growth during the season.

*****

10 – Community Engagement

We offer fundraising while reaching out to people and businesses to support our programs but also make it optional to families and players.

We already focus on having lower costs to try and keep it affordable for all families.  We also plan to run clinics and already open our practice for players to attend and try our teams to learn more about the differences.

The organization has its own indoor facility that teams and players have access to, in addition to the team practice times. The Mystics also provides additional practice opportunities in New Jersey for the convenience of our families close to those areas to limit the burden on families and travel.

We practice at West Chester University, where I am on staff.

*****

11 – Coaching Development

We offer coaching clinics including at the start of the year bringing in players from our national team to teach drills for different fundamentals but also discuss the teaching points and what we want to highlight and focus on for our younger players.

We also offer to pay for coaching clinics for our coaches to attend, along with our teams running combined practices so our newer coaches can learn from our more experienced ones about the different drills, team practice expectations and tempo expected to be maintained for all of our teams at practice.

I attend most, if not all, the teams’ practices to help maintain the standard we are trying to obtain and help coaches with the day to day programming.  We keep a very open and approachable environment for not only our families and players but also coaches to foster a growth mindset.

*****

12 – Fan Engagement

I feel we are pretty active and try to promote our girls and great things they are doing on and off the field from our social media.  We try to have a pretty consistent presence to continue interest but also allow families and friends to follow and see how the players are doing!

Implementing these ideas requires careful consideration of the program’s specific needs and resources. Regular assessment and adaptation are crucial to ensuring sustained improvement and success.

*****

What Do Former Players Say?

Our team plays to have fun which is why we were and continue to be so successful. We know that it is more than just wins and losses and always made sure to be there for one another.

— Sophia LoPiccolo CCSU current player

The 18U Mystics National team sets itself apart from other competitive softball teams through the team culture that coaches developed and the players continue to demonstrate. In my many years of playing competitive sports, including sports other than softball, I have never been a part of a team as fun, supportive, and hard working as this one.

Not only did every girl and coach on the team push me to be my best player on the field, they pushed me to be the best version of myself off the field as well. Every person on the coaching staff always made me feel seen as more than a just a softball player. I have never been part of such a tight-knit softball community, and I would not have wanted to spend the last leg of my travel softball career with any other team.

— Olivia Crognale Former player

*****

Here is an alphabetical player-by-player look at the Mystics 18U team roster with comments from Coach Garrett:

COACHING STAFF

• Head Coach: Bryan Garrett
• Assistant Coach: Amy Ingram
• Assistant Coach: Frank Flail 

PLAYER ROSTER

Felicia “Mona Licia” Connolly, 2026, P/2B
Felicia played for our team last season a very senior loaded, super talented and extremely successful team and never stopped growing into her current role which is one of our aces on staff.  Felicia has made tremendous progress in a season and continues to just get better and better.

Jordyn “Jordache” D’Amelio, 2026, IF
Jordyn plays 3rd and 2nd for us and has made some big plays on the hot corner.  Jordyn has been working on retooling her swing and has been dedicated to building a more powerful, efficient and balanced approach at the plate.  She has continued to show growth at the 18U National level weekly this fall and am excited to see the continued process!

Megan Donnelly, 2025, OF/P
Megan hit the ground running when she joined us being a huge factor in our OF and in the lineup.  Megan has hit anywhere from 1 through 5 in our lineup having an impact on the bases and with the stick.  She brings it every game and is always trying to figure out how to continue just getting better and better.  She made a big jump in levels from her previous team, but you would never know by watching!

Noelle “NoNo” Flail, 2024, IF (Rider)
Noelle has been a part of the teams with us since she was 14 and set out to play Division 1 with her top choice being Rider University. Pretty cool to say she has reached the dream and is officially headed to be a Bronc.  Noelle is a picture of consistency with her approach, game and the way she interacts with her teammates.

Gracie “Gigi” Granate, 2024, P, (Central Connecticut State)
How can I describe Gigi? A crazy lefty, who has a huge heart, wants to be the best for her teammates and is a complete goofball until she gets the ball in the circle.  Then the super competitor side comes out and she is ready to get after it!

Avery “Jenna” Groh, 2025, IF/OF
Avery is one of our multi-season players killing it on the diamond and classroom.  Avery is one of many high academic student/athletes we are lucky to have.

Vanessa “Ness” Harrity, 2025, C/CIF
Vanessa is a rock behind the plate, one of the better blocking and framing catchers you will see on the diamond.  Vanessa wants to be a pharmacist in the future and has been a part of our team since she was a freshman.

Gabi Jones, 2026, P/1B
Gabi is one of our pitchers and is in a similar role to Felicia last season pitching for both our National teams and taking every opportunity to compete with her teammates in the circle.  Gabi continues to push and has untapped potential at the dish too!

Maya “Funfact” MacAdams, 2024, OF
Note: Maya is not playing in college as she wants to pursue becoming a doctor.
Maya is a huge piece of the puzzle and does not want to play college softball because she wants to pursue being a doctor and she absolutely one day will realize whatever she decides to do.  Maya is what you want in a teammate, player and person.  Every practice she shows up, gives 100 percent and wants to get better.  She accepts any role thrown at her and will do whatever is asked.  When you talk about leading by example, Maya is a player you want others to follow!

Sophia Montag, 2026, CIF
Sophia as big power potential and has been a rock for us defensively with some great plays on the corner.  Sophia has big power and has been super coachable and I am excited to see her realize her power potential from the box!

Victoria Oliviera, 2024, OF (Central Connecticut State)
Victoria came to us from a really toxic situation and coming off a possible career ending injury.  Vic is the heart and soul of our toughness and incredible performance on the field to reach her dream of Division 1 softball.  Words cannot express Vic and who she is to us!   A few nicknames for her include “Vic,” “Victorino,” and “Woah Vicky.”

Devon Wach, 2024, C/OF (Flagler)
Devon is another one of our catchers and is super dynamic bringing great speed another excellent framer and all-around talented player.  Devon set a goal to play college softball in Florida and pursue Marine Biology and she has accomplished the goal!

Reese Whitzell 2026 MIF
Reese has been a beast in the middle for us and setting the tone from the lead-off spot. She is an incredibly hardworking kid who has a high ceiling and is a sponge with whatever is being taught.

Follow the Mystics on social media:

• Twitter: 18U_Mystics_National
• Facebook: Mystics National Garrett
• Instagram: Mystics_National

SUBSCRIBE

COPYRIGHT © 2023 Extra Inning Softball TM

Check out our other EIS links: