Leah Michalowski of the Guilford Little League Softball 12-year-old All-Stars loves to compete.
If doesn’t matter if she’s toeing the rubber for her team as a pitcher, or having fun on a pickle ball court somewhere, Michalowski loves to take part in all the sports she does, including volleyball, basketball, skiing and, of course, softball.
The rising 8th grader plays for the Shoreline Sting, but this summer she has been a key cog in Guilford’s run to both the District 9 and Section 3 titles.
Tonight, starting at 5:30 p.m., Guilford faces South Windsor in the opening game of the Connecticut Little League state tournament’s final four in Waterford.
Before making the trip up I-95, however, Michalowski took time out to go “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog.
FIRST INNING: How did you become a softball player? What led you to a softball field and why do you enjoy it so much?
LEAH MICHALOWSKI: My parents signed me up for Little League baseball when I was 5. I was one of two girls on an all-boys team. The next year I played Little League softball and played every year since then. I like how you really need to work with your team to win.
SECOND INNING: What has been the best part of your team’s Little League season?
LM: Spending time with all my teammates.
THIRD INNING: If you could get the game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning to give your team a win, or make a spectacular defensive play to clinch a win for your team, which would you chose and why?
LM: Hit a grand slam for the win, because I like the pressure and I like it being up to you sometimes.
FOURTH INNING: Who is your favorite softball player, or favorite athlete, and why do you like them so much?
LM: Jocelyn Alo because she inspires me to be as good as her when I grow up.
FIFTH INNING: If you could learn to play any other position other than your own, what would it be?
LM: Shortstop because you get a lot of action.
SIXTH INNING: If you could give your glove a name, what would it be?
LM: Bobby
SEVENTH INNING: What is the biggest off-the-field “life lesson” you have learned from being a softball player?
LM: It’s not an individual sport. It’s a team sport and you can never win without your team by your side.
EIGHTH INNING: What is your most favorite thing to do at a softball practice and why?
LM: I really like hitting off live pitchers. I feel like it really prepares me for the game.
NINTH INNING: What’s the best part about being 12 years old?
LM: I don’t need to pay for anything
TENTH INNING: Who is your favorite teacher that you’ve ever had and why?
LM: My math teacher in 6th grade, Mr. Z. He always believed in me and helped me through problems I was stuck on.
ELEVENTH INNING: What is the best thing about your school?
LM: You get to see your friends everyday
TWELFTH INNING: If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?
LM: To allow cell phones
THIRTEENTH INNING: What is your favorite home-cooked meal? And who cooks it? Your mom or dad?
LM: Chicken cutlets and mashed potatoes. My mom makes it.
FOURTEENTH INNING: What is your favorite pre-game snack?
LM: An energy drink.
FIFTEENTH INNING: What is the one television show you that you always like to watch over and over again?
LM: “Outer Banks” on Netflix.
SIXTEENTH INNING: What do you want to be when you grow up?
LM: A marine biologist because I love the ocean and ocean animals and I want to learn more about them.
SEVENTEENTH INNING: Are you a dog person, a cat person, or a reptile person? And why?
LM: A dog person because they seem to know how you feel.
EIGHTEENTH INNING: Other than softball, what is something that you’re really good at?
LM: Pickle ball
NINETEENTH INNING: What is a fun-fact about you that your teammates might not know?
LM: I like to eat Mac and Cheese with ketchup.
TWENTIETH INNING: What one word best describes you?
LM: Competitive.
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