The CT Softball Blog

WOODBURY—By the time the softball cleared the fence for the 19th time this spring, even Gianna DeLorenzo had stopped trying to explain it.

Because, really, how do you explain a season like that?

The Nonnewaug High School sophomore launched 19 home runs this season, a number that may prove to be a Connecticut single-season record once the history books are sorted out. Whether it is officially a record or not, one thing is beyond debate.

Nobody hit more softballballs into orbit this spring.

And for that, DeLorenzo is the Connecticut Softball Blog’s Diamond Award “Sophomore of the Year.”

“Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything like this,” DeLorenzo said.

Not that she didn’t have a pretty good act to follow.

As a freshman, DeLorenzo blasted 16 home runs while driving in 76 runs and scoring 58 more. Impressive enough on its own. But instead of leveling off, she somehow found another gear.

And she did it despite missing four games.

Two came because of a school trip. Two more disappeared when Terryville forfeited its season, giving Nonnewaug a pair of wins without a single pitch.

“I’m not saying she was going to get the home run record,” Nonnewaug coach Chris Martin said. “But there’s a very good chance I see her having three or four more home runs for the season.”

Which is a frightening thought for opposing pitchers.

What’s perhaps most remarkable is that Martin, who is heavily involved in the travel circuit, had never even heard of DeLorenzo before she arrived at Nonnewaug.

“I did not know who Gianna was before she came to Nonnewaug, which is odd because I’m heavily involved in the travel circuit,” Martin said. “Girls talked about her being good.”

Then she stepped onto the field.

“The moment Gianna stepped onto the field freshman year, her presence was felt,” Martin said. “Gianna became a leader and someone girls looked up to.”

Not because she was loud.

Not because she demanded attention.

But because she quietly went about the business of becoming one of the best hitters in the state.

“She’s one of the most humble and coachable kids I’ve ever had,” Martin said. “She’s a sponge for knowledge when any of our coaches or even other teammates are giving advice or training aids.”

That willingness to learn has been there from the beginning.

DeLorenzo started playing softball when she was eight or nine and immediately challenged herself, playing two years up wherever she could.

“I was always playing up,” she said. “Having the better exposure got me to want to become better and want to be one of the better ones on the team, so it always pushed me to work harder.”

The power followed.

She still remembers her first over-the-fence home run, a chilly day at Hubbard Park in Meriden during the Nutmeg State Games when she was playing 12U ball.

There have been plenty more since.

Nineteen this season alone.

According to the National Federation of High Schools record book, the most home runs ever hit by a Connecticut player in a single season came in 1999 when Gillian Pajonas hit 19 for St. Paul Catholic.

As such, DeLorenzo hit 19 this season, hence tying the record.

Her 76 RBIs as a freshman last season is also believed to be a state record.

And yet, ask her what comes next, and DeLorenzo doesn’t have some elaborate answer.

“I honestly don’t know,” she said with a laugh.

Just keep playing. Keep helping the team. Keep enjoying the game.

College softball is the dream. Winning a state championship with Nonnewaug is certainly on the list.

And if a few more softballs happen to disappear over outfield fences along the way?

Well, nobody at Nonnewaug would complain.

After all, the sophomore who simply wanted to play “girls baseball” while growing up has already turned herself into one of Connecticut’s most feared hitters.

And she still has two seasons left.

Love Stories Like This?

Get Connecticut’s best softball features, breaking news, recruiting updates and exclusive interviews delivered to your inbox every Friday morning. Subscribe to the CT Softball Blog Weekly.