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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.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at [email protected] and also [email protected].
Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 …
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TEAM PROFILE: NJ PRIDE
NJ Pride’s Softball organization had a strong showing at the Team New Jersey Clearwater Fall Classic this past weekend in Florida.
NJ Pride 18U-Stern went 5-1, beating OC Batbusters-Stith/Maroon, 2-1, VA Legends Premier-Johnson, 8-6, NJ Gators Premier-Biasi/Coroneos, 5-2, Team Long Island DeMarini-Angel, 3-1, and Corona Angels-Slye, 6-4, before losing to Colorado Stars-Sakamoto, 5-4. NJ Pride 16U National-Stern went 3-2-1 with wins over SC Carolina Elie-Gleason, 6-2, Illinois National Softball, 7-1, and SJ Mystics National-Machinski, 2-0, losses to Team Long Island Select-Rancano, 7-2, and Texas Dirt Divas National-Rogers, 9-0. and a tie against Empire State Huskies Select-Rowan, 0-0.
NJ Pride-Stern got great pitching from Hofstra-bound Emma Brennan and Manhattan-bound Sophia Kiesloski, Hanna Streicher and Carly Mockenhaupt also dominated in circle.
Mockenhaupt was huge at the plate with clutch hits and RBIs; Daniel Rosner, who can fly, went 8 for 10. Catcher Syndey Rosenkranz, Tyler Douglas, Gabby Gesualdo and Jessica Brown, who are all 2023s, were getting a lot of interest from colleges after the event.
P Sophie Mount had 22 Ks in 18 IP, Sam Boques had five hits, two sacrifices and three RBIs and OF Gianna Stern had four hits, two RBIs and great defense for NJ Pride National-Stern. MIF Nina Sarlo and P Mackenzie Minervini have been strong all fall for the Pride.
TLI talked to Rob Stern, manager and coach for Saint Dominic/Pride, about the NJ Pride organization.
Here’s what he had to say:
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
NJ Pride has been around since 1989 started as Project Pride and in 1995 became NJ Pride to who we are today. Project Pride was started by Philip Basillo Alagia, who we then merged with the late Anthony Larezza to all become NJ Pride. Phil is a major NJ politician and is back now coaching with his younger daughters after just being on the sideline. I have been with NJ Pride since 1995 after coming over with my team the NJ Pacers. I run the day-to-day program and Coach NJ Pride-Stern.
Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from?
We’re based in Essex County NJ. Our home field is IVY Hill Park, the same place Seton Hall University plays. We have players from all over NJ and some from out of state.
What was the purpose of creating the team?
To make the players achieve their goals of getting to the next level. We have sent close to 300 players to college. We want to teach them how to be ready and how to compete at the next level.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
We have had a lot of success over the years winning Pennsbury, placing fourth at IDT. We have over an 80 percent win percentage in 25 years at Team NJ and Pennsbury. We have played well every year at the prestigious DeMarini Event run by the Illinois Chill and the Beverly Bandits. We have been in IDT for close to 20 years. Many events have gone to showcase-style, so you don’t get to many elimination events.
What makes the organization unique?
That we aren’t a franchise. In today’s softball you have too many teams buying names like Dunkin’ Donuts. We are who we are and we are proud to be Pride. We didn’t buy a name, we have earned our name. Coaches know that is a Pride team not a team who used to be a team and purchased a new jersey.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I have been a 30-plus-year softball coach. I also have coached high school ball in New Jerse for 33 years and counting. I have been very lucky to share my passion of the game and work with so many great people
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
Ten teams.
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
I think when we finished fourth at IDT it was a very high point as you play the best of the best in an invite in Boulder. There’s no better event and we have been to most. The key moment is every year getting that call from a player who is going to commit … it’s like Christmas morning, it never gets old.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
To play the best we can play and have fun doing it. The group of players in the program are special at this point we have a lot of hard-working kids.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
Pitching and defense—as we say, if they can’t score, they can’t win and if you cant’ throw and you can’t catch, you can’t play. We still focus heavy on defense in an offense-minded game.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
That we are doing it the longest in our region — nobody has done it longer. Our coaches are the best and do it because they love kids and love softball. Coach Shawn with our 16U, Coach Dean 14U. Coach Griffin all still coaching after their kids have gone and Coach Nick my assistant is a defensive master and having some former players coaching is the best! Larrissa Spellman (Kentucky) is what it is about.
TOP PLAYERS
- Emma Brenan (2022, P, Hofstra) has grown into a top pitcher in the region. She’s tall and throws hard 64-65 mph and has a very good change-up.
- Sophia Kiesloski (2022, P, Manhattan) is a passionate two-way player who hits for power and plays some 1B. She has 6 HRs this fall.
- Hanna Streicher (2023, P) has the best change-up in the program, a crafty thrower and a fierce competitor.
- Carly Mockenhaupt (2023, P) not only is a very good pitcher but a tremendous bat hitting 4 HRs and 8 extra-base hits this fall.
- Sydney Rosenkranz (2023, C) is a power righty who hits a ton.
- Katie Soughan (2023, C) is one of the most athletic catchers, very quick behind plate and another who hits for power.
- GiGi DeMitto (2023, C) is a super receiver behind the dish and another player with power.
- Anna Paravati (2022, IF, Fairfield) is a sure-handed fielder.
- Peyton Sward (2023, OF/IF) is fast, smart, athletic and a speedy slapper.
- Gabby Gesualdo (2023, IF) is a smart INF who knows how to play the middle spots and maybe the smartest base the Pride has had in years.
- Haley Leimbach (2022, IF, Tufts) is an athletic corner infielder.
- Tyler Douglas (2023, IF) is extremely athletic and fast for a corner.
- Gabby Wood (2023, IF) is a steady fielder and good bat.
- Jessica Brown (2023, OF) can bunt, slap and hit the ball over the fence. She has great range and also is a high academic player.
- Brooke Freschi (2023, OF) is a hard-nose, tough player that can fly and hits for power.
- Danielle Rosner (2022, OF) is a coachable, smart team player.
- Kristyn Carroll (2022, OF, Middlebury) hits for average and power and can steal bases from the lead-off spot.
- Gabby Park (2022, OF/1B, Georgetown) is a stone-cold hitter with great hand-eye coordination.
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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:
*** Brynn Jordan Smythe is a senior outfielder for Corey Mathis’ Arizona Storm 18U National team ranked in the Top 65 of the 2022 Extra Elite 100.
She recently announced that she’ll be headed to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, to play at the next level and told Extra Inning Softball that she selected the Lopes for a couple of reasons.
“I chose GCU because I fell in love with the campus and the school‘s energy,” Brynn said. “It also meant a lot to me to play in front of my family.”
“I’m also looking forward to playing in Coach Shannon Hays era and my goal is to have an impact on the success GCU experiences and to win the WAC!”
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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Jenissa Conway, 2023, P/OF, Sorcerer Gold-Gabales/Marysville High, Michigan
I am happy to announce that I will be continuing my academic and softball career at University of Michigan!! Thank you to all of my coaches and teammates who have been there for me! Thank you everyone!! #GoBlue @umichsoftball @UMCoachHutch @btholl @CoachBrundage @Sorcerer18UGold pic.twitter.com/56SkxhwaT8
— Jenissa Conway (@conway_jenissa) November 16, 2021
Raegan Jennings, 2023, IF/SS/UT, Texas Dirt Divas/Atascotia High, Texas A&M
Excited to announce I will be continuing my academic and softball career at the Texas A&M University! I would like to give a special thanks you to the Texas Dirt Divas coaches, JD Chandler, Kenny Thomas, Courtney Blades/Rogers. Beyond grateful for this opportunity! 🤍 #gigem pic.twitter.com/8Ffi0Bbv8B
— Raegan Jennings (@raeganjennings) November 17, 2021
Kaylee Grealy, 2022, 2B/3B/SS/OF, Texas Glory/Prosper High, Louisiana Tech
#gotech @LATechSB ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/ayjzDYB9Sg
— kaylee (@GrealyKaylee) November 16, 2021
*** Scroll down to see what other juniors committed and seniors signed with their future college teams!