Softball: Griesinger Stars For Brewster

To win in softball, it’s a necessity to have someone that can excel on the mound. It’s even better when that player can also rake at the plate.

Brewster (12-4, 7-0) has that type of player in senior Jess Griesinger, who will be playing softball next year at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut.

“They really had a good group of girls who were very welcoming when I went there,” Griesinger said. “And distance wise, it’s perfect. It’s not too far from home, it’s not too close to home.”

When looking at Griesinger’s stats, it’s easy to see why Bridgeport would want her. On the mound, she is 8-2 with one save, has struck out 42 batters and walked just eight while pitching to a 1.33 earned run average.

Before the season, Griesinger said she really focused on working on her game to get better and the results show that it has paid off.

“I have been working a lot harder on my pitching, trying to not allow as many hits and not allow the opposition to cross home plate,” Griesinger said. “I know there are a lot of really good teams out there so I have to continue to work hard so they won’t score any runs off me.”

“With the help of my team, I feel I can continue to do well,” Griesinger continued. “That is because I am very confident that when the ball is hit they will field it.”

One of those fielders she relies on is senior right fielder Moriah Feeney. Feeney says that her teammates have just has much confidence in Griesinger as she has in them.

“For our team she really means a lot,” Feeney said. “She is always there for the team. At the plate, she will help the team with a hitting streak. As a pitcher, she is a key leader on the team. Not only is she our No. 1 pitcher but our team captain.”

Besides being a highly talented player, Griesinger also is someone that knows how to have fun when the time is right said Feeney, who has known her since she was playing in T-ball.

“When I first played with Jess, I immediately felt comfortable with her,” Feeney said. “She is funny, the things that come out of her mouth. She makes you laugh all the time.”

Opponents aren’t laughing when Griesinger steps to the plate; she is third on the team in batting average (.410) and RBIs (16).

“With the help of my dad and my hitting coach [Ryan Castle], they both gave me the confidence to believe in myself that I can hit the ball no matter how fast the pitcher is throwing it,” Griesinger said. “As long as I stay focused and stay within my mechanics, I will be OK.”

“Also my pitching coach, Mike McGraft, is always helping me, throughout my season,” Griesinger added. “He has always spent extra time with me.”

Griesinger also credits Brewster coach Lisa Delzio with helping her and her teammates reach their goals by creating a great atmosphere to play in.

“She has a positive influence on everyone,” Griesinger said. “If something wrong happens, she is not going to scream and yell at you. She is just going to tell you what you did wrong and how to correct it. She knows how to instill confidence in her players.”