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Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: GABBY SHADEK
Uncommitted C/3B/UT Gabby Shadek, #27 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Lady Dukes Gold-Torres, weight training, PGF Nationals, Scenic City Showcase, Virginia Unity-Johnson/Ross, Women’s College World Series goals, physical therapist, Kim Shadek, Dr. Dre, “Outer Banks” and juggling.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Gabriella “Gabby” Shadek
Hometown: Kinnelon, NJ
High School: Immaculate Heart Academy
Club Team: Lady Dukes 18U Gol-Torres
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: C/3B/UT
Nickname: Gabby
Twitter: @gabbyshadek2025
Honors: #27 in the 2025 Extra Elite 100; #12 Catcher in the Class of 2025; MLB Junior Home Run Derby winner (2022); 2nd Team All-State (2022); 1st Team All-Non Public (2022); 1st Team All-League (2022); NFCA 1st Team All-Region (2022); 1st Team All-Conference (2022); Honor Roll first three semesters of high school; Junior National Honor Society; and three-time Destination Imagination state champion.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .400 AVG, .500 OBP, 1.000 SLG, 20 RBIs, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HRs, 4 caught stealing on 6 chances and 66.67% caught-stealing percentage.
High School Stats: .443 AVG, .886 SLG, 35 RBIs, 39 hits, 6 doubles, 3 triples and 9 HRs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I play for the Lady Dukes organization. It is like one big family, no matter which team you are on, they are all super welcoming. When I first joined, they were still known as the Renegades. At the time this team piqued my interest because when I was on my old team, the Jersey Girls, the Renegades-Plath had been our rivals since 10U when they beat us in the finals at USSSA Nationals. My family always admired Coach Juan Torres, his coaching style and his passion for his players and his teams. All of the coaches want to see you succeed and look for the best in you, they will make sure that you are working as hard as you can. From then until now, there is no place I would rather be.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? I think that weight training is just as important as softball training. I work out with a personal trainer who makes my workouts specific to what I need for softball, which includes speed and agility. I am also a multisport athlete and play ice hockey. I believe that ice hockey gives me an advantage on the softball field with how fast both of them are with reaction time, stability and how strong my legs are while catching. Playing a different sport and moving different muscles can be very beneficial to softball.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? This summer was a little different than last summer. I guested with the Lady Dukes-Lewis 16U team because my own team was not attending PGF. I had a blast getting to meet and play with new girls from around the country. Getting to play in PGF gets you to play some of the best teams and to showcase your skills in front of all of the best colleges in the country. Altogether it was a great experience being able to showcase my talent and how I am able to work with new people.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? My favorite fall tournament was the Scenic City Showcase. We played some very good softball and it was a lot of fun to compete against such good teams. I also hit two home runs that weekend. I always prefer playing in the South to be able to face better competition that we face up in the Northeast.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? The Virginia Unity-Ross/Johnson. We played them over the summer in Colorado. We were down 12-0 and in the last inning didn’t give up. We put up 6 runs and I hit a 3-run homer off of the #1 pitcher in the class of 2024, Jayden Heavener. We did end up losing that game, but we still fought until the end.
What are you looking for in a future college? I am looking for a team with coaches whose goals are to win the World Series every year. I want to be on a team that strives to not only be the best ones on the field, but also makes sure academics are a focus. I want to feel welcomed into a team that feels like family.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I want to be a physical therapist in the future. After having gone to see one a couple of years ago, it piqued my interest. I loved how personable they are and it seems like a job that I would enjoy doing.
Who is your sports hero and why? My mom, (Kim Shadek), because she pushes me to be the best person and player I can be. She also has been the one supporting me from the very beginning. My mom was a softball player and my first coach. She coached me up until 12U. She taught me how to keep a good work ethic.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Still D.R.E.” by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg. It is my team’s walk-out song when we get to the field and I think it does a good job of setting the tone once you hear the piano.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Outer Banks” because there is a lot of action for a movie that is more about drama.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can juggle.
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