Double trouble,
thanks to Gina

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

On Memorial Day weekend, as the Philadelphia Spirit fast-pitch travel softball team competed at a tournament in Chambersburg, Pa., they had talent, determination and teamwork.
But they were missing one thing.
Gina Sciarrone.
The outfielder and third baseman wasn’t able to make the trip. She was busy in Philadelphia, helping the St. Hubert High School softball squad win the Catholic League championship.
"I think about it every day," said Sciarrone, who helped the Bambies shut out Archbishop Wood, 3-0, on May 29 for the first title triumph in Hubert’s history. "I hang out with girls on the softball team every night and we always talk about it."
The Bambies had a stellar season, compiling a 12-0 record in league play and claiming first place in the Catholic League Northern Division.
"Everybody wanted it so bad, but we did it for our seniors," said Sciarrone. "After the championship, we all went to my friend’s house and the whole team slept over and celebrated."
It was a perfect end to a perfect season. But some of the girls weren’t quite done on the diamond. Before the excitement had a chance to wear off, Sciarrone — along with four Bambies teammates — changed uniforms and geared up for the summer tournament season with the Philadelphia Spirit.
"We’re all best friends and we hang out all the time," said Sciarrone, who plays on both squads with pitcher Heather Brabazon and infielders Carly Sippel, Melissa Robinson and Brittany Meehan. "It’s great because when we play together, we pick each other up if we have errors. And we don’t let anything get us down."
The fearsome five are a significant part of the Philadelphia Spirit squad — a highly competitive fast-pitch tournament softball team that competes nationally. Next up on the summer schedule is the Newtown Rock Gold College Showcase tournament this weekend in Newtown, Pa.
The team also plans to travel to Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina and Florida, among other states, to compete against some of the best players around the country.
"I like going to tournaments and traveling," said Sciarrone, who has been playing tournament ball for six years. "I really like playing other teams because I get to see different competition. The Spirit is a lot more serious than Hubert’s, so you have to stay on top of everything."
Sciarrone, a solid player who has continued to improve, had a tough time staying on top, especially after getting knocked down hard last year.
She was attending a softball camp at Saint Joseph’s University at the time, and during one drill, landed on her knee awkwardly.
"I remember coming down on it and hearing three loud cracks," said the player, who rehabilitated at Temple Sports Medicine after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament. "I had surgery on my knee last July, and I’ve been trying to get back to one-hundred percent ever since.
"My (physical) therapist Matt pushed me really hard. It was a long process," she continued. "I was really scared to run the bases and stuff, but now I’m getting back to normal."
Now the 17-year-old — who celebrated her birthday on June 5 — is practicing twice a week and playing in some of the most competitive tournaments in the area every weekend.
"I like playing so much," she said. "I love offensive. I love to hit. And I like being with the girls all the time, too."
Next spring, the enthusiastic athlete will step up as one of the Bambies’ seniors, and hopefully lead her squad to another successful season.
"It’s kind of weird to be a senior," she said. "I always mess around on the team. It’ll be weird not having someone else to be captain. But I think I’ll be OK. A lot of the younger girls ask me for help with certain things."
Once her St. Hubert days are over, Sciarrone hopes to play softball at the collegiate level and study business.
"I really like real estate," she said. "I find it really interesting, and I think that’s something I could be good at."
Sciarrone isn’t eager to rush things, though.
"I’m really excited to be a senior," she said. "And I love Hubert’s. I didn’t have to get up and do my hair every morning and it’s a lot more fun to be with all girls. I think you’re more crazy, and out there you don’t care what other people think. You just laugh and have fun." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com