The CT Softball Blog

Gianna DeLorenzo wasn’t sure what to expect when she joined the Nonnewaug High softball team as a freshman this spring.

The third baseman found her way into the starting line-up, and has been a key player for the Chiefs, a team without a senior, rolled through an undefeated regular season and will take a 24-1 overall mark into Monday’s CIAC Class M semifinals.

Once the high school ends, DeLorenzo, who played some JV Volleyball for the Chiefs this school year, will play with her Rhode Island Thunder 18U quad for the summer.

The night before the state semifinals, though, DeLorenzo took a few minutes to go “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog.

FIRST INNING: Tell us about your journey to the softball field. How did it all start for you?

GIANNA DeLORENZO: When I was a little kid, I walked up to my dad one day and I said, “I want to play girls baseball.” So, we found a hitting coach (Gus Constanino) about 10 minutes away from my house. And ever since that day, I’ve been going there almost every single day. He’s like an older brother to me.

SECOND INNING: As a freshman making the jump to a varsity starter, what has been the most difficult part of that transition?

GD: Definitely dealing with some people who maybe have different thoughts about how I shouldn’t be playing varsity because I’m only a freshman. And definitely trying to learn the new environment with upperclassmen.

THIRD INNING: What has been the best part of being a Nonnewaug softball player?

GD: The best part is definitely realizing how a team actually works because I feel like everybody is very good at communicating with each other and there’s not really any hate or bad talking about anybody else on the team.

FOURTH INNING: It’s been a great season for Nonnewaug this year as the team is 24-1 and has advanced to Monday’s Class M semifinals. Did you ever imagine the team would do this well this spring?

GD: No, definitely not. Especially because we’re such a young team. I feel like all of us just know how to pick each other up on the field, outside the field, in classes, and just knowing each other well enough within this past year that we’ve known each other. We’ve just learned so much about each other.

FIFTH INNING: You play third base for your team. What is your favorite part of playing that position?

GD: How after every play I’m able to talk to my pitcher and tell her that she’s always doing a good job, and just the communication throughout the whole infield.

SIXTH INNING: What has been your most gratifying moment on a softball field?

GD: It was actually just the other day when most of the school was down at the field and I hit a homer, over the fence and it went over half of them.

SEVENTH INNING: What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on a softball field, something you can look back now and laugh about?

GD: When I got thrown a changeup and I swung all the way around and I fell over.

EIGHTH INNING: What is your go-to hype song that you play before every game or practice?

GD: That’s a good one. Oh, I don’t really know. I’m going to have to say nice. For what? By Drake.

NINTH INNING: What is something none of your teammates know about you?

GD: I used to ride horses and barrel race.

TENTH INNING: If you could go back in time to witness something historic, what would it be and why?

GD: To be able to see my grandparents’ wedding. I just feel like, because I’ve lost a lot of relatives throughout the years and just at that wedding I know that they were all there.

ELEVENTH INNING: What is the one movie you can watch over and over again?

GD: Moana, because I just feel like growing up everybody has said that I look like her and stuff, and I just love the ocean and sea animals.

TWELFTH INNING: Obviously after every game, the first thing you do is probably go home and eat dinner. What is your favorite home cooked meal when you go home?

GD: I’m going to have to say steak and rice that my mom makes.

THIRTEENTH INNING: If you could ask any question of another softball player anywhere around the state that we would include in our next Extra Innings questionnaire, what would it be?

GD: How do you get over your mental state. It’s always been a big issue for me. I get in my head a lot.

FOURTEENTH INNING: What one word best describes you?

GD: Determined.

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