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Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: GRACE CARRINGTON
Maryland-committed Grace Carrington recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Softball U CT Gold, Jim Ronai’s training center, speed and agility, Cheshire High, Maryland, Special Agent, Rudy Ruettiger, Queen, “Stranger Things” and splits.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Grace Carrington
Hometown: Orange, CT
High School: Amity Regional High
Club Team: Softball U CT 18U Gold
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: 3B/UT
Nickname: N/A
Twitter: @gracecarringt17
Honors: First/Second Academic Honors (2019/2020); First Academic Honors (2020/2021); Second Academic Honors (2021/2022); Little League — CT LL District #4 Champions (2016 and 2018); Eva Block Character Award LL (2018); Vice President Award Amity LL (2018); Amity Girls Swimming & Diving Team — Varsity Letter Award (2019 and 2020); Team Manager (2021); Amity Softball — Varsity Letter Award (2021 and 2022); Captain (2022 and 2023); 1st Team ALL-SCC (2022); CT High School Coaches Association Junior Select Team (2022); New Haven Register ALL-Area Team (2022); and Softball Factory Pre-Season All-American (2020, 2021 and 2022).
High School Highlights/Stats: 2021 — .510 AVG, 26 hits, 8 doubles, 16 RBIs, 14 runs; 2022 — .423 AVG, 30 hits, 11 doubles, 21 RBIs, 18 runs and .985 fielding percentage.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? When I was 10 years old, my Little League team won the District #4 Championship. Our team was invited to attend the Stratford Brakettes vs. the Bridgeport Bluefish (“Battle of the Sexes”) softball exhibition game under the lights. This was inspirational to me as I saw women softball players play against baseball players and hold their own. Afterward, we were invited onto the field and I got autographs from the Brakettes players. They were female role models I looked up to and from that point forward I wanted to become the best softball player I could be. I continued to be inspired through my years with Amity Little League meeting legend Joan Joyce at our opening day in 2017 to hang our banner on the backstop. I began my travel ball journey with Coach Matthew Fletcher, who taught me to strive to be my best while loving the game, joining Seymour Tradition (2016-2018). I continued to pursue excellence, push myself out of my comfort zone and grow with the CT Seahawks (2018-2019), CT Raiders (2019-2021) and I am currently a 2nd-year member of Softball U CT 18U Gold (2021-Present) with Head Coach Amanda Acampora (UMass ‘07), that was established three years ago and has begun its fourth year. The Brakette’s (John Stratton, Team Manager) use the Softball U Facility in Milford, CT to practice and have a good working relationship with Softball U CT organization. Ultimately, I’d like to be part of the Brakette’s rich history and continue to inspire young girls to love the game each summer when I am home from college, while playing high-level ball. I owe the game of softball and many other coaches a debt of gratitude. Softball has taught me to be confident, a good communicator, persevere through injuries and failures only to come back stronger, driven to set goals and reach them and has given me the opportunity to become the best version of myself both on and off the field.
What are some of your training methods/training routine? I lift and work on strength and conditioning three times a week at Jim Ronai’s Competitive Edge Sports Performance in my hometown of Orange, CT. I am fortunate to work with Mr. Ronai and his team of trainers. Mr. Ronai has been an Olympic Trainer in three Olympic Games, most recently as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Team USA Baseball in Tokyo. I have softball practice four-five times a week along with batting practice once a week with Jaymie Sommers, at D-Bat in Cheshire, CT. Coach Jaymie has been my batting coach since I was 9 years old.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? This fall, I have really been focusing on speed and agility. I lift and do strength training, but then follow up with cardio and agility. I am working on becoming bigger, faster and stronger. The TERPS are known for their speed (on) the base paths.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? SCC Championship in 2021, Amity (High) vs. Cheshire (High). Our schools have a long standing rivalry and they have some of the best coaches in the state, so you know they come prepared with a game plan. It is always a competitive game against Cheshire and there is a mental portion that comes along with preparing for the game, that I am sure my teammates at Amity could agree on.
Can you talk about why you chose to commit to Maryland? I discovered the University of Maryland in 7th Grade and fell in love with the beautiful campus, the school spirit and the Terrapins as their mascot. When I visited the campus it even furthered my desire to attend such a strong academic and athletic University. The community of diverse, dedicated and driven students is the place I want to pursue my college degree. I attended multiple softball camps and games at College Park over the last year and have loved the intensity, instruction, vision and energy that Head Coach Mark Montgomery, Coach (Emerald) Doria, Coach (Laura Heberling) and Coach (John) Garris repeatedly bring to the field every time. The players are driven and welcoming and I undoubtedly knew this was where I wanted to be.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? Special Agent/Forensic FBI Agent — Ever since I was little, I have always been interested in crime and investigation and trying to solve cases.
Who is your sports hero and why? Rudy Ruettiger, for obvious reasons. He was driven and determined to reach his goals and play at his dream school despite many obstacles in his path. I think the movie is inspiring to many athletes. My dog is named Rudy after this movie.
What’s the best hype song and why? “We Will Rock You” by Queen. I think this is the best hype song for multiple reasons, beginning with it is an upbeat, competitive good pump-up song. Secondly, this song reminds me of great memories. In my younger years, there was a cheer that was based off of this song, so whenever this song is played it reminds me of playing the game I love and cheering on my teammates.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Stranger Things.” As I had mentioned, I am interested in solving cases. Watching “Stranger Things” is intriguing to me because I enjoy the thrill of mysteries in the show.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can do a split.
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