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Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, May 11, 2022:
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EXTRA SPOTLIGHT: NADIA CHERNICH
2024 C/CF Nadia Chernich, a decorated multi-sport standout, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about playing for the NW Bullets, Monroe Catholic High in Alaska, approaching big games, Ichiro Suzuki, flexibility and vision and playing in a blizzard…
EXTRA SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Nadia Chernich
Hometown: Fairbanks, AK
High School: Monroe Catholic High
Club Team: NW Bullets 18U
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-5
Position: C/CF
Nickname: Nads
Twitter: @Nadia_ Chernich
Honors (Academic/General):
NFCA Easton All-America Scholar-Athlete, NHSCA Academic All-American, National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, published Author on Amazon, National History Day finalist, Battle of the Books state finalist, Future Problem Solving state champion, Robotics League state champion, Monroe Catholic Scholar Athlete Award, Student of the Month, three-time Baseball For All national captain (empowering women for equality in sports), Food Bank Volunteer & Food Drive organizer, Fairbanks Little League Umpire, played Harp at Assisted Living Home.
Honors (Sport Specific):
- Softball — four-time Under-Armour All-American (Texas), two-time USA Softball All-American (Oklahoma City), two-time Softball Youth All-American (Florida), Softball Youth Elite All-Tournament champion (Florida), Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year finalist, two-time National Champion (Maryland & Illinois), three-time Alaska state champion, All-Tournament, MVP, Northwest Championships, three-time MVP, champion (Washington), MLB Elite Development Invitational selection (Florida) and two-time MLB Trailblazers Series selection (California);
- Cross Country — two-time Region champion and 2nd place and 5th place in state;
- Tennis — undefeated girls doubles;
- Volleyball — Captain, three-time All-Tournament, Conference champion and 4th place in state;
- Nordic Skiing — Region champion and two-time state qualifier;
- Basketball — All-Tournament, two-time Conference champion and two-time state Final Four; Baseball — Conference champion and 4th place in state;
- Track & Field — Conference champion, All-State discus & shot put.
Travel Ball Highlights: .625 batting average, Panama City Beach 16U champions, went 18 for 21 with six doubles in Southern Star Classic (Georgia), three-time Player of the Game at Alaska All-State Tournament, and two walk-off HRs.
High School Highlights: She has played eight varsity sports this year. It is May and still snowing, but she’s batting .833. In October, she placed at the cross country state championship and then immediately went to a volleyball tournament and played until past 10 pm and got All-Tournament there too. Starting catcher for the varsity baseball team that placed 4th at state.
Tell us about your journey (literally!) in joining the Northwest Bullets?
Coming from Alaska, I have been taking overnight flights for a few years to play out of Seattle. I recently joined the NW Bullets in Portland, Oregon, after being told I should attend one of their tryouts. The pace of practice and the talent is phenomenal. I really just want practice to keep going. It is so fun and competitive and I learn a lot from the coaches and players. The NW Bullets were recommended to me by a few college coaches as the premier team in the region and I could not be more impressed. They definitely prepare players for the next level and it is an honor to represent them.
What’s it been like for you at Monroe Catholic High and how you have done there?
We are the northern-most team in America. It is a small school, so I get the opportunity to be a well-rounded athlete. I play almost every sport and it is great that the Athletic Director was a former collegiate coach and is supportive of my complicated schedule. I like reading and have learned a lot about ancient civilizations this year in class from our challenging teachers. Being at a small school also gives me daily responsibilities to volunteer at lunch or with tutoring.
What has your experience been playing multiple sports?
I use multiple sports as a way to cross-train. Since the softball season without snow up here is really only June and July, I had to come up with a way to stay in shape and play at the same speed as the girls in the lower 48, who get to play year-round. So I run cross country and do sprints and jumps in volleyball. I wrestle and full-court press in basketball. I ski miles at -20F with icicles covering my face. It has helped my strength throwing the shot put and discus. I play baseball to see a more competitive speed for my at-bats. It is all geared to help me in softball, which is my real passion.
Scroll down to see more in today’s TLI!