Cipolloni sisters
are twice as nice

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Giannina Cipolloni has crafted quite a reputation during her tenure with the Nazareth Academy High School softball squad. The four-year varsity starting shortstop stole 62 bases last season and helped the Pandas win the Catholic Academies championship.
Now, in her senior year at Nazareth, the team captain is showcasing her fleet feet once again, helping the Pandas on a 10 game winning streak.
"She is a big leader for us," said Bob Keating, who has five AACA (Athletic Association of Catholic Academies) championship titles and more than 200 wins during his 12 seasons with the Pandas. "And she’s an unbelievable captain. She’s probably stolen ninety bases in the past two years. She’s a big hitter. She sets the table for the team."
Giannina is savoring every last victorious minute with her squad, because in a few months she’ll be taking her skills to Virginia.
And she’s bringing the whole family.
The softball player recently was awarded a full athletic scholarship to the University of Virginia, where she will play Division 1 ball with the Cavaliers and study kinesiology.
"I’m so excited to go there," she said. "I just visited a few weeks ago and I watched the team play and I couldn’t wait to get there. I can see myself in the uniforms and everything. I can’t wait."
And her parents — who also happen to be her biggest fans — are planning to catch every play on the diamond.
"It didn’t really all sink in yet, but I can’t wait to go see her play college ball," said Giannina’s father, Joseph. "It’s the next step, so I’m really excited. We’re going to buy a condo out there so we can watch her games."
Giannina will have another familiar face in the stands as well. Her sister — and fellow Panda — Erica is hoping to head to Virginia to watch some of the action.
"I know I’ll visit her and I’ll see her all the time," said Erica, a sophomore second baseman for Nazareth. "Maybe one day I’ll be going there with her. I already got a full ride there, so we’ll see."
Yes, folks, you heard her right.
At 16, Erica already has been contacted by several colleges around the nation, some even offering full scholarships, like the University of Virginia.
"It’s really cool but I’m trying to take it really slow," said Erica, who also is considering DePaul University, St. Joseph’s University, University of Florida and Northwestern, among others. "A lot of the top colleges are now looking at sophomores, but it’s early. I’ll know where I’m going next year for sure."
In the meantime, the dynamic duo are tearing up the middle infield on the Pandas’ diamond. Both were named All-Academy players last year, with Erica leading the league with 14 home runs.
"I absolutely love playing with her," said Erica, referring to her older sis. "She keeps me pumped up and going. I love having her on the field with me."
Most of the time, the pair can be found side by side in the middle infield. However, this season, Erica also has made the move to the mound, throwing the heat as a relief pitcher for the Pandas.
"Two years ago I stopped pitching because I had a lot of tendonitis in my arms and I had problems with my back," said Erica, who is armed with a 65-mph fastball. "It was really nerve-racking. I really like playing the infield anyway, so it was a lot of pressure taken off when I stopped. Now I’m pitching again, but this is fun. There’s not as much pressure and I enjoy it."
For the Cipolloni sisters — who live across the street from Nazareth’s softball field at Eden Hall — the game always hits close to home. In fact, their father handles upkeep of the softball field, situated a few hundred yards from their back yard.
"He does a great job with the field. He manicures it day and night and is always preparing it. He’s crazy about it," Erica said with a laugh. "He’s our best critic. He’s always at our games and he’s always been there for us."
Her father, whom some might consider the most vocal fan in the massive crowds at Nazareth games, definitely has a prominent presence on the sidelines.
"It can be nerve-racking sometimes because all you hear is him," said Erica. "But at the same time it gets me pumped and I really try to impress him, because he’s my biggest fan. Our parents have always pushed us to work hard, and they’ve always been there to support us."
Next year, even with more than 300 miles between them, the Cipolloni family fan club is planning to stay together. And in the future, depending on where Erica goes after her time with the Pandas is over, perhaps the sisters could share a team name once again.
"I would like to see her in Virginia, but of course it’s wherever she wants to go — wherever she feels like she can succeed," said Giannina. "If it’s Virginia, then that’s great. But if not, that’s fine too.
"I love playing with her and I think we work pretty well together," she added. "We’re having a lot of fun out there. I really want to win two championships in a row with my sister." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com