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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, Oct. 26, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: ISABELLA RUGGIERO
Florida State-committed C/3B Isabella Ruggiero, #49 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about the Tampa Mustangs-Seymour, routine, improving all aspects of the game, Alliance Nationals, Jazzy Francik, sports medicine, Florida State, Derek Jeter, Lil Baby, “Jersey Shore” and handwriting.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Isabella Ruggiero
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
High School: Oxbridge Academy
Club Team: Tampa Mustangs 16U-Seymour
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: C/3B
Nickname: Bella
Twitter: @bellaruggiero2
Honors: 2A Player of the Year Nominee (2022); Class 3A 1st Team All-County (2021); Class 3A 1st Team All-State (2021); Class 2A 1st Team All-County (2022); Class 2A 1st Team All-State (2022); #1 Sophomore In Florida To Watch in Softball Playoffs (2022); All-Summer Team by Extra Inning Softball (2021); and #49 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100.
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: .304 AVG, .327 OBP, 15 RBIs and .927 fielding percentage.
High School Highlights/Stats: .692 AVG, .692 OBP, 1.173 SLG, 43 hits, 42 RBIs, 17 doubles and 5 HRs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I joined my travel team (Tampa Mustangs-Seymour) in the summer of 2021. My previous team would always play them in each tournament we went to and their energy and love for the game was contagious. Every ball I would connect with that seemed to be a hit, their outfielders would just come out of nowhere and catch it. Thank goodness those outfielders are on my team now and steal hits from other teams. I am truly so grateful to be surrounded with such amazing players, parents and coaches. We truly have fun out on the field and play with such chemistry that anyone watching us can clearly see. There are no other girls I would rather travel the nation playing the sport I love with.
What are some of your training methods/training routine? Routine is something that is big for me, it builds habits and keeps me disciplined. I weight-lift every Monday and Wednesday, I have a hitting/catching lesson every Tuesday, then I have a fielding lesson on Thursday. Then most Fridays we are on the road. My support staff is the key to all my success, my hitting coaches (Bailey Castro and Chandler Stooksbury), alongside my fielding coach (Trevor Rolle) are some of the best to ever do it and I am beyond grateful to have them in my corner.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? I try to improve in all aspects of the game all the time. Softball is definitely a huge mental game and there is always room to grow and learn about each challenge we face while playing the game. Working hard for my pitchers behind the plate and building a solid relationship with them, and spraying the ball to all parts of the field are always common goals I work on each season.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this summer? This past summer at Alliance Nationals was nothing less than impressive. In Indiana, there was some of the best teams from across the country. It was definitely fun to play some new teams and compete with the best.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? With the level of talent we face each weekend, it is so hard to pick just one out. I will say, though, one of the best pitchers I have faced is a fellow FSU commit Jazzy Francik. The movement and command she had on each pitch made getting a hit very challenging. I always welcome competition and love challenging myself, so facing her is always a good time.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in sports medicine. Sports has been such a huge part of my life for so long and I don’t plan on leaving it anytime soon.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Florida State? My decision to commit to Florida State was an easy one. The family atmosphere I felt when I stepped on campus was incredible. The coaching staff and the girls welcomed us with open arms, and after my visit, there was no question that this is where I wanted to go.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Derek Jeter. My dad was born and raised in New York, so the Yankees were always on TV and watching them play was no option. Derek Jeter played with so much swag and confidence that each game he played in he had presence on the field and everyone felt it.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is anything by Lil Baby. He is always in my headphones before games.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge has to be “Jersey Shore.” There is just so much drama and they are just so entertaining.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I would say my secret skill is that I have very good handwriting. It’s not too much of a fun skill, lol, but I love writing things down in school and all my friends ask me to write things for them.
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