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 Monday, Sept. 5, 2022:
*****
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: ISABELLA O’BRIEN
P/1B Isabella O’Brien, #21 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Turnin2 18U-Pezzoni, bringing passion, getting 1 percent better, Alliance Nationals, Audrey Miller, recruiting, Crystal O’Brien, sports psychologoy, DJ Khaled and tongue-nose touching.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Isabella O’Brien
Hometown: McDonald, OH
High School: McDonald High
Club Team: Turnin2 18U-Pezzoni
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: P
Nickname: Belle
Twitter: @2024_isabella
Honors: Academic letter; Varsity Letter; 1st Team All-Conference; Honorable Mention All-District; led conference in ERA and strikeouts; team MVP Award; and three-time Extra Elite 100.
Travel ball 2021-2022 season stats: 139 IP and 221 Ks.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? This year, I have made the switch over to a new organization, Turnin2, to play for Ron Pezzoni at the 18U level. After this past summer, I was looking for a new home and felt that he and everyone on his staff were going to push me to where I want to go after hearing his success with his team over the years.
What do you bring to the team? I feel that I bring passion, grit and a strong work ethic to any team I’ve been on. I’m a leader on and off the field and always want to put my team in the best position to do well.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? I would like to get better on the little things this fall, getting my spin 1 percent better, my speed 1 percent better, push myself even more than I did last year.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals/Alliance Nationals this summer? I’ve actually never been to either, but it’s always been a dream of mine to compete for a national title at that level. But my new team placed 3rd at Alliance this summer and I’m looking forward to competing with them there next summer!
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? My toughest opponent would definitely have to be Audrey Miller from the Ohio Outlaws. She is such a sweet girl, but when she steps in the box she’s swinging as hard as she can and it’s a battle trying to get her out every time I’ve faced her since we were 12.
What are your recruiting plans? My plans when it comes to recruiting is to really get to know the coaches and programs that are not only interested in me, but that peak my interest as well. I’m really trying to make sure that the school I’m going to is the perfect fit for me! I’ve always aspired to play D1 softball mid-major to Power 5, specifically the B10 (Big 10).
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero would definitely have to be my mom (Crystal O’Brien). She was a pitcher just like me and has been my pitching coach since I started pitching. I always loved hearing the stories my grandpa would tell me about her when she played travel softball. She’s taught me so many life lessons and we’ve been through so much together. I love having my biggest fan, mom and coach all in one!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’ve always been interested in being a psychologist for as long as I could remember. But after playing my first year of high school softball at Hubbard High School, I chose to not play my sophomore season because of the coaches and athletic director not putting myself and the other girls physical and mental health first. During the months I did not play, it was really hard and I started getting into sports psychology and really fell in love with it. I feel that most athletes are scared to speak out when coaches treat you poorly or your struggling within yourself, but I want to be someone to help the next generation of athletes get through hard moments and better their mental health because it is so important to how you play. It’s a conversation that deserves to be talked about.
What’s the best hype song and why? “I’m On One” (by) DJ Khaled, because it gets me in the zone and I’ve listened to it for as long as I can remember before games.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? Definitely, “Criminal Minds” because it’s what got me into psychology in the first place and I could watch it all day.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can touch my tongue to my nose.
Scroll down to see more highlights …
