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 info@extrainningsoftball.com and also los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com.
Here’s our TLI for Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 …
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TEAM SPOTLIGHT: LADY DUKES GOLD NJ-TORRES
The Lady Dukes Gold NJ-Torres has developed into a top team to watch on the East Coast. The Dukes are 21-4-1 (mostly 18U) this Fall and they are looking to make some noise at major events this summer.
Here’s what Dukes coach Juan Torres had to say:
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
We started as Renegades Fastpitch in 2016 and became Lady Dukes in 2021. We felt it was time to offer our area a program that looked at their players as players not a dollar sign. Affordable cost for a better experience.
Where are you based?
Where do your athletes come from? We are based out of Edison, NJ, with players from NJ, PA and NY.
What was the purpose of creating the team?
The purpose we started this was to offer great development while showcasing our players at an affordable cost to families.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
This Fall season 21-4-1 while playing mostly all 18U.
What makes the organization unique?
We offer something that others don’t offer. We offer an affordable cost with the best training and the most success in five years in New Jersey. Now that our group that started at 12U, those players are starting to get committed. It takes away what others used to say to take players from us. In the short time, we have created a competition in New Jersey that has the longer standing organizations not the only options anymore.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I started coaching softball when my oldest daughter was eight years old. She is now 29 and I have learned so much in those years and look to continue to learn.
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
We have nine teams now and started with three.
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
After our first year of 14U we lost eight of the 12 players that left us. That year with a new team we had our best season. It showed that it’s about the team not the individual. Since that season the success has continued.
What is your primary focus or goal with this squad?
The primary focus is development, exposure and our goal is to compete against the best and be successful not settling for playing the best, but beating the best.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?The strength starts with each player buying into their role and getting along. On the Field our strength is our defense, but when our lineup is on all cylinders it’s a tough out for any pitcher.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
We don’t do this as a career, we do this because we love to. We make no money off our players fees and although we are with a franchise the Lady Dukes we are more like a Starbucks not a Dunkin’ Donuts. A new flavor!
Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization? This team isn’t going away, we are all 2023-2024 and our younger group is loaded with 2024-25 studs, so we plan to compete against the best.
TOP PLAYERS
- Caitlin Olensky (2023, LHP/OF, Nebraska) is one of the hardest workers with a killer curve, rise and change-up. At the plate, she’s a gap-to-gap line drive hitter.
- Sara McNelly (2023, CF) is probably the best athlete in the organization. A SS turned CF, has a cannon of a arm and covers so much ground in CF. Has a lot of power at the plate.
- Kristal Torres (2023, OF/2B) is a great corner outfielder with great range and a doubles hitter with power. She’s transitioned to the OF and is becoming a great fielder since making the switch from 1B.
- Mikayla Swan (2024, OF/2B) a game changer, lead-off slapper that has changed the dynamics of then team. When she is on base, she runs the bases hard and is always looking to take another bag. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure. That’s what she does to a defense.
- Natalia LoCurto (2023, 1B/RHP) is a 5-foot-11 player that hits for power and is a great defensive player at 1B.
- Mallory Allen (2023, 2B/OF) has very high softball IQ.
- Savanna McHale (2024, RHP/OF/3B), aka Smiley, is a diamond in the rough in the class of 2024. On the mound, she can spin it, she locates and changes speeds better than anyone. At the plate, can hit for power.
- Sara Scozzari (2024, SS/2B) is one of the best pure hitters in the class of 2024 and some of the best hands playing MIF. She can hit for power with five HRs and 20 RBIs this fall.
- Jaclyn Morra (2024, five HRs, 23 RBIs and a .939 SLG. Like Scozzari, has great hands, great range and a strong arm. Morra and Scozzari could both be top 25 players in the class of 2024.
- Kate Heslin (2024, C/OF) is a power-hitting catcher that can hit with the best of them. A very tough out at the plate that has some big-time pop.
- Hailey Pyle (2024, P/3B) has hit some monster home runs at the plate. On the mound, she has really come into her own with great speed and great spins.
- Valentina Iula (2024, C/3B) is an A+ that can stop the running game and her framing and blocking is also A+. At the plate, she showed some power this fall hitting the long ball.
- Olivia Smith (2023, 1B/OF/P) a slapper with punch that’s a two-star athlete.
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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS:
Mya Perez, 2023, 1B, Athletics Mercado-Smith/Norco High, Arizona State
https://twitter.com/MyaPerez2023/status/1461518076990484487?t=pjxuu_rTVHk2u4BDSLlGUA&s=03
Allison Corbin, C/1B/3B, VA Glory-Wilimmsen/Kent Island High, UNC Wilmington
I am exited to announce my verbal commitment to UNCW! I would like to thank my family, coaches, team, and God. And also thanks to the coaches at UNCW for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to become a Seahawk!! @SuzyWillemssen @CoachNORTUNCW @CatchingIron @kevinbednoski pic.twitter.com/G8fGnKbpki
— Allison Corbin (@allisoncorbin46) November 18, 2021
Grace Ausborn, 2023, 3B, Mojo-Vickery/East Hall High, West Alabama
I am very exited to announce that I am furthering my academic and athletic career at the university of West Alabama! Thank you to everyone who helped me in the process! Go tigers! @defo25 pic.twitter.com/FVZsQDVq8N
— Grace Ausborn (@ausborn_g) November 19, 2021
Megan deVilliers, 2023, SS, FL Impact 04-Feldman/Sumner High, University of Tampa
So incredibly happy to announce that I have verbally committed to play softball for The University of Tampa!! Thank you to my coaches, family, and friends who’ve pushed me to where I am today!! ❤️ GO SPARTANS!! ❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️ @FLImpact04 @Tampa_Softball @CoachNeubauer_6 pic.twitter.com/QwDuzKYVTk
— megan devilliers (@megandev2023) November 18, 2021
*** Scroll down to see more top juniors who’ve committed and seniors who’ve signed with their future college programs!
