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. You can also send items/story ideas to Carlos Arias via email at los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com or via Twitter @Los_Stuff.
Here’s our TLI for Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 …
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THE LAST INNING MINI-Q&A
TLI will be taking a look at top club players from around the country and today we spoylight Alysa DeQuiroz, a talented 2022 SS for Panthers Gold 18U and Heritage Christian High of Northridge, CA.
Name: ALYSA DeQUIROZ
Hometown: Sylmar, CA
High School: Heritage Christian High of Northridge, CA
Club Team: Panthers Gold-18U
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 5-foot-5
Position: Shortstop
Nickname: DQ
Twitter: @AlysaDeQuiroz
High School Stats/Highlights: 20 Games played and .302 Batting average; Olympic League Gold Glove in 2019; Olympic League 2nd Team in 2019; Heritage Christian Rookie of the year in 2019; and Heritage Christian MVP in 2019.
Travel Ball Stats/Highlights: 25th place at 2019 18U PGF (Panthers Gold); 17th place at PGF 14U in 2018 (Panthers Gold); 14U Team NJ champions in 2018 (Panthers Gold); 14U USA Softball Champions Cup champions in 2018 (Panthers Gold); USA Softball All-American Games with head coach Suzy Brazney in 2017; 17th place at 2017 PGF 12U (Corona Angels); and 7th place at 2015 PGF 10U (Corona Angels).
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
Panthers Gold is a team based out of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, CA. Coached by Chris Hernandez along with his sister, former Utah standout Ivette Hernandez. Our practices and workouts are fast-paced, fundamentally-driven, tough and competitive. Our coaching staff does an amazing job developing us players by running college-style practices and workouts. We play a tough schedule and every year we compete at the highest level.
I first played for Chris and Ivette back in 8U Rec ball All-Stars. We then transitioned to travel ball in 10U. Most of the girls were a year or two older than me, so it was always fun and competitive.
The team was moving up to 12U and I was still a 10U player, so my parents and I decided to play with a team in my own age group. I then joined Marty Tyson’s Corona Angels organization and played in Corona Angels 04 in 10U and 12U. I learned a lot in my time with the Angels.
I came back to play for Panthers Gold three years ago in first year 14U. It truly felt like home and like I never left. I was pushed harder than ever! The practices, workouts, and the competition continue to develop me as a player day in and day out. I love my team, teammates, all the parents and all the coaches.
How has recruiting been going since September 1st?
Recruiting has been amazing! I had been waiting several years for this day to finally come. I have spoken to and corresponded with several amazing college coaches.
Learning in depth about their programs and institutions has been like a dream come true. I’m truly enjoying the recruiting process.
During the stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus situation what new training methods did you use to stay busy?
My parents set up an area for me work on fielding, a batting cage, and a home gym. I have been doing a lot of glove work, lots of foot and agility ladder training, weightlifting and lots of HIIT workouts.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today? I faced having self-doubt and a bit of depression. I struggled in my own head wondering if I was good enough to play.
I was lucky enough to train when I was 10-12 years old with Coach John Rittman in fielding and with former UMass standout Coach Lindsey Webster in hitting. They taught me a lot on and off the field. This gave me the confidence to believe in myself and that I could achieve everything I put my mind into.
Panthers Gold Coach Chris Hernandez and my High School Coach Alexis Avila have always believed in me and they inspire me to work my hardest and become the best player I can be. This helps me play loose, and with a ton of confidence.
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
One surprising thing most people don’t know about me is that I love watching Anime.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
I’m very good at putting puzzles together pretty quickly.
Here are some videos of Alysa in action:
https://twitter.com/AlysaDeQuiroz/status/1300426940495458304
https://twitter.com/AlysaDeQuiroz/status/1301894892663140352
TAKING A LOOK AROUND THE SOFTBALL WORLD
Topps were always TLI’s favorite trading cards and now the trading card giant has teamed up with Athletes Unlimited to create the first women’s professional trading cards set … Sign us up for a set!
More big @AUProSports moves:
Athletes Unlimited has partnered with @Topps to create the first women's professional softball trading cards set in the company’s 82-year history.
Big news for softball. Big news for women. pic.twitter.com/6hHRCvxYZ6
— Kayla Lombardo (@KaylaLombardo11) September 4, 2020
TLI was asleep on the job yesterday and has two belated Happy B-Day wishes for legends Jennie Finch and Lauren Haeger.
Join us in wishing @JennieFinch a very special Happy Birthday!! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/kdBeSurP2X
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) September 4, 2020
There’s only one player in the history of college baseball or softball to hit 70 homers and win 70 games as a pitcher: @lhaeger17. And today’s her birthday.
Hope you had a great one, Lauren! #tbt to this three run bomb you hit against Georgia in 2013. pic.twitter.com/hnFd9yJRiu
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) September 4, 2020
TLI loves this kid’s focus. Keep it up, Lil One.
Hailey from Shelton, Washington. I hope you’re still loving softball 🥎 and getting better every day like you were at our @UWSoftball camp in January!! Go DaWgs 💜🦄 pic.twitter.com/EOkirrfX1g
— Heather Tarr 🦄 🇺🇸 (@CoachTarr) September 4, 2020
Oh myyyyyy … That speed!!
My offense was much better last night against Northside. @DukeCoachYoung @Coach_JBloomer @scsbcoach_bev @KaelaJackson30 @SBCoachNavi @CoachANicholson @richardnich24 @CoachBrock_GATA @RaginCajunsSB @GSU_Softball @NCATSB11 @Pitt_SB @MSU_CoachJones @ecbmayfield @hittingcoachJ pic.twitter.com/FSPcjt21z4
— Kyyethegr8🖤 (@Kyyericks8) September 4, 2020
Go with it … Oppo work!
Working on outside pitches@FieldofDreamsOH @StriveSoftball @IHartFastpitch @Los_Stuff @KenzieRoark @GarrettFurnal @StJohnsSoftball @MiamiOH_SB @Coach2K_Miami @WittSoftball @LauraMatthews12 pic.twitter.com/NXXjreokGU
— Ashley Apple (@Ashleyapple2023) September 4, 2020
Go for it … Hugh!!!
https://twitter.com/emreeskyy/status/1301935882178625537
OK, forget speed and agility drills, TLI challenges you to a game of … Uno.
https://twitter.com/CarleyPenner/status/1301936206557720577
KABOOM!
3 run homer to help win the region game 8-1! @BatbustersB05 @MercerUSoftball @defo25 @MikeDavo17 @UCF_Softball @UGASoftball @ExtraInningSB @Los_Stuff @chipolasoftball @WallaceStSB @USFSoftball @YoCoachYo @CoachPatrick_ @FSU_CoachWilson @UGACoachTony @Coach_SniderSB @Coach_Alameda pic.twitter.com/KnP7RsYrbO
— Dallas Brooks (@DallasBrooks24) September 4, 2020
TLI believes the version of Cadence Gilliard in the bottom right corner won this race.
Nice day for some beach sprints! #workhardplayhard #sandsprint #beachworkout @SCAs_Briggs @Los_Stuff @umichsoftball @HawaiiSB @OhioStateSB @MizzouSoftball @SanJoseStateSB pic.twitter.com/GIjdEdNRXh
— Cadence Gilliland 2023 (@cadence2023) September 4, 2020
Oooh, that sounded good.
#23 Miracle McKenzie | 3rd | C/O 2024 | straight away 💣 @UWSoftball @CoachTarr @ondecksoftball @ExtraInningSB @Los_Stuff pic.twitter.com/5aEkqX41Py
— USA Athletics Mathis 16U (@MathisUsa) September 4, 2020
Axe doing her best to break the weight room.
Rise & Grind…. TODAY RISE UP, PUSH YOURSELF TO THE LIMIT! EARN IT!! 450 lb plates + 118 lb rack x 5 reps = A LOT … You know it’s heavy when your trainer has to tell you to breathe!! 😂 @Los_Stuff @StriveSoftball pic.twitter.com/EwQmdsxcqw
— Alexis “Axe” Milanowski 🪓 (@axemilanowski) September 4, 2020
So smooth it’s smoove.
https://twitter.com/cave_catching/status/1301886430311075841
TLI wishes the Smooth Operator himself and the LA Lakers good luck against the Houston Rockets.
GAME DAY! Lakers vs Rockets Game 1 tonight! #LakeShow https://t.co/n99EPk6Nus
— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) September 4, 2020
