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Here’s our TLI for Monday, Feb. 6, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: CORAL WILLIAMS
2027 RHP Coral Williams recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Athletics Mercado 08-Tidd, daily workout logs, Alliance Nationals, AZ Last Blast ’23, Central Cal Dirtdogs-Close, future college, future occupation, Stevie Hansen, Bon Jovi, “Ted Lasso” and surfing and camping.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Coral Williams
Hometown: Norco, CA
Middle School: Norco Intermediate (Norco High next year)
Club Team: Athletics Mercado 08-Tidd
Graduation Year: 2027
Height: 5-foot-5
Position: RHP
Nickname: Niner
Twitter: @CoralW2027
Instagram: @coral.g.dub
Honors: 4.0 GPA
Travel Ball Highlights: Fall Stats — 83 IP, 105 Ks, 1.25 WHIP; 2020-22 — 479 IP, 281 Ks, 1.60 WHIP.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? My first pitching coach from 8U-12U was Deanna Navarrette. She was helping to start a new Athletics Mercado team. She asked me to try out and that started my two-year journey with Coach Mike Fitzgerald on AM Fitz. I then made it onto Coach Brian Tidd’s team and plan to stay in the AM Family through my 18U season. Dave Mercado is my hitting coach and Chrissy Haines is my pitching coach. I feel so lucky to have all of these amazing coaches in my life.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? Since 12U, I have kept a log of my daily workouts, which helps me hold myself accountable, track what I am already doing and figure out what I can do to make myself better. I work different parts of my body on different days and just focus on those parts, so I can have a quality workout. You need to have a plan and purpose going into your bullpen instead of just throwing a little bit of everything. There are days where throwing everything is your plan, but quality is over quantity.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this past summer? My team, Athletics Mercado-Fitz at the time, went 3-4 in the Alliance Nationals last summer. I pitched in five of seven games for 20 innings with 16 Ks. Going into it, my team and I knew that it was going to be our last games together. Though we didn’t do as well as we planned, we fought until the end and gave it our best shot.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? AZ Last Blast ’23 was my favorite fall tournament. My team and I had a lot of fun knowing that it was our last tournament before going dark. I pitched in six of the eight games that we played, pitching 14.1 innings with 21 Ks. We won the tournament with a 7-1 record. My favorite thing about that tournament was that in stressful situations, my coaches and teammates trusted me to get the job done.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? (Central Cal) Dirtdogs-Close 16U was one of the toughest opponents that I faced as a pitcher. When I pitched to them, if I left the ball a little on the plate, they smashed it and if I worked around the zone, I ended up walking the batter. I really had to learn how to challenge the more experienced 16U batters and how to effectively fool them and make them swing and miss or hit the ball to my defense.
What are you looking for in a future college? I’m looking for location, academics, an elite softball program, a personable coaching staff, a nice campus and a feeling of family.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I have not decided on a future occupation. I love animals, the ocean and writing. I also enjoy coaching younger girls and being involved in clinics. Both my parents joined the military and love their careers and the friendships they have gained. They always tell me that I should choose a job that I love and that I’m passionate about and I intend on doing that.
Who is your sports hero and why? Stevie Hansen is my sports hero. She lives in Norco and attended Norco High. Her pitching coach was Chrissy Haines also. She was my pitching mentor in a camp when she was a senior in high school and was also on Dave Mercado’s 18U team and helped the team win the Alliance national championship in 2021. I really feel like I can relate to her and I want to follow in her footsteps.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi is my pump-up song because it just reminds me to give it all I got and have no regrets on and off the field.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “Ted Lasso.” I like it because it is a feel-good sports comedy show. I turn it on whenever I need motivation or inspiration or just a good laugh. Some of the things that I tell myself on the mound come from this show.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I love to surf and camp at the beach. I ride horses, which is appropriate because I live in “Horse Town USA.” I love music and love to sing and play piano.
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