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Here’s our TLI for Friday, Nov. 25, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: GABI TONEY
Washington-committed 2024 SS Gabi Toney recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about ai Bandits 18U-Breer, team practices and outside practices, more quality at-bats, Alliance Nationals, Athletics Mercado-Hovermale, business or architecture, Washington, Jackie Robinson, Wiz Khalifa, “Stranger Things” and the worm.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Gabi Toney
Hometown: Bothell, WA
High School: Inglemoor High
Club Team: ai Bandits 18U-Breer
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: SS
Nickname: Gabi
Twitter: @GabiToney
Honors: 1st Team KingCo League (2022); Inglemoor HS MVP (2022); and Varsity Letter (2021 and 2022).
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats:Â .397 AVG and 94.0 fielding percentage.
High School Highlights/Stats: AVG: .380 AVG and .957 fielding percentage.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? My Coaches, Joe Breer and Chris Breer, told us that they were starting a new organization, the “ai Bandits.” They asked if I would play for them and I was like 1000 percent “YES”! I had full confidence that they would help develop me as a player and create extremely competitive teams in this awesome high-level organization. This is my third year playing with the ai Bandits organization and it has been the best softball environment I have ever been a part of. Joining the organization was the best decision I have ever made. Our organization and team are like a family. The atmosphere on the team is full of support, love and dedication and I’m so inspired to be the best version of myself every day. I couldn’t be the person I am today without my incredible coaches and teammates. I have developed some amazing relationships through the Bandits and I know many will be friends for life.
What are some of your training methods/training routines? Our team practices three days during the week for about 3-5 hours each practice. Outside of team practices, I lift two times a week with my trainer, Curtis Clay. Also, my sister, friends (Rachel and Sam) and I do fielding work twice a week, typically after we lift. We focus on smaller details that we need to improve on or just receiving a lot of reps. During the week I’ll also have a hitting lesson, getting lots of reps or going over some of my past at-bats and seeing how I can improve. Over the summer, my sister and I built a batting cage in our backyard, so we try and go out there as much as possible as well. We will throw front toss to each other or focus on some tee work.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? During the fall, I am trying to improve by having more quality at-bats and grinding to get on base whether with a hit or a walk and contributing in any way I can. In the field, I’m working on my mental approach. It is very important to play with control. I’ve been working on playing the game at a fast level and working on having an internal clock, knowing the speed of runners and what that means for setting up the play.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this summer? Alliance Nationals was a super positive week. This was the team’s first time being with the Alliance and going to the Nationals tournament. The competition was super competitive and it was fun playing some of the best teams around the country. I loved being around such great talent. I was super proud of our team. We played great and made it into the Tier 1 bracket. Unfortunately, we lost in the bracket and that ended our season. It’s always hard when a season comes to an end, especially when you have to say goodbye to certain players that won’t be on your team next year. I couldn’t have been prouder of our team’s accomplishments last year.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? My biggest competition would have to be last year during the Alliance. We were at the Alliance Nationals playing Athletics Mercado-Hovermale. It was the deciding game to see if we would make it into the Tier 1 bracket. It was a very competitive game and I believe that both teams played very well. We played that game with so much passion and our defense had our pitcher’s back. We ended up winning, 2-1. It was very exciting and one of the most fun games I’ve ever played!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in business or architecture. I’m not sure yet what I want to do after college, but I believe that both of those majors would provide great job opportunities. That being said, I love softball and sports and I think I will still want to be a part of the sports industry, so I might try and incorporate that into a future job as well.
Can you tell us about your decision to commit to Washington? I have wanted to play at the University of Washington ever since I was young and started playing softball. Growing up in the area, I watched UW Softball and fell in love with the program. As a grew up, I went to UW camps and loved the competitive softball and coaching environment. When I visited UW this fall, I was able to see how the team was like a family and how everyone was so supportive of each other. Coach (Heather) Tarr, Coach (Kyle) Nobach, Coach Shelby (Jeffries), and the players made me feel like I was a part of the team and made me feel so welcome while I was there. Once I was on campus, I knew that this is exactly where I belonged. It felt like home! Committing to UW was like a dream come true. I love how the Huskies are not only an excellent team but also a family who truly cares about one another and will always have each other’s backs.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero would have to be Jackie Robinson. When I was about 9 (years old), my family and I watched the movie “42.” I remember feeling so inspired by him and loved how he played the game. He made history by helping create equality in sports and opening the doors for so many athletes. I have worn his number ever since!
What’s the best hype song and why? I go to Inglemoor high school and our school colors are black and yellow. So, my biggest hype song for high school is, “BLACK AND YELLOW” (by Wiz Khalifa)! Our school plays that song so much to get the crowd hyped whether for football or other school events. The song just brings me back to getting pumped up for a home football game with all my friends and having such a great time.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show is “Stranger Things.” It’s a great thriller and will keep you on your toes (spoiler), even though they killed off some of my favorites! The show is also funny and I like the actors who are in it. I definitely would recommend watching it if you haven’t already.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? Our team loves to dance and so do I. I’m not sure if this is a hidden talent, but I can do the dance move the worm!
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