Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Monday, June 26, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: JULIA GIRK
Appalachian State-committed 2024 OF/UT Julia Girk recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Tampa Mustangs-Torres, Parrish Community High, Calvary Christian, Appalachian State, medical field, science, Grace Lyons, adventure/dystopian novels, Post Malone, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Notebook” and making trumpet noises.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Julia Girk
Hometown: Bradenton, FL
High School: Parrish Community High
Club Team: Tampa Mustangs 18U-Torres
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-4
Position: OF/UT
Nickname: My high school team gave me the nickname “Girky” because of my last name, but my travel coach calls me “Julio.”
Twitter: @GirkJulia
Honors: 3.98 unweighted GPA; 4.45 weighted GPA; 8/503 High School Rank; Florida District 6 Player of the Year (2021); out with shoulder injury (2022); junior year 2023- Bay Made Fastpitch Manatee/Sarasota County Player of the Year (2023); Herald-Tribune All-Area Team (2023); and Scorebook Live All-State Team.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .396 AVG, .529 OBP, 21 hits, 6 doubles, 4 triples, 2 HRs and 26 SBs.
High School Stats: .573 AVG, .624 OBP, 47 hits, 16 RBIs, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR and 34 SBs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have been on the same travel team since I was 7 years old. I started playing with our local travel ball organization, the Suncoast Storm. As we gained success and started playing higher profile events, we transitioned into the nationally-recognized Tampa Mustangs organization led by our head coach Richard Torres.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? My experience at Parrish Community High has been nothing short of amazing. Coming in as a freshman in 2021, I had an immediate connection with all the coaches and girls. After a great season of 24-4 in 2022, we had a disappointing end to the season due to numerous injuries to multiple key players, derailing our run to a class 3A state championship. The next year everyone returned back healthy and we came together and understood each other’s goals of winning a state title. We promised each other we would do everything we could individually to collectively make the team better. Everyone had a role and we all had each other’s backs, making this team feel more like a family. Our talent, our handwork and our energy put us above all other teams in our journey, leading us to be successful 5A state champions.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I would say Calvary Christian has seemed to be our toughest opponent. They are a great team with the same will to win as us. Although we beat them to win the district championship in 2022, they have been the one of the only teams to beat us in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The games have been close and super exciting and I hope to play them again next year.
Can you tell us why you chose to commit to Appalachian State? I am committed to Appalachian State University. I had an immediate connection with all of the coaches and the location was perfect. As soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like home. One of the first things I noticed when doing my research on the softball program was the level of engagement on and off the softball field, including community involvement and emphasis on academics. I am beyond excited to help the team achieve their goals whatever my role may be.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in going into the medical field in the future. I would like to attend PA school and become a physician assistant. I am interested in this because my mom works as a nurse practitioner and her line of work has always interested me. After going through shoulder surgery, it really opened my eyes to the importance of medical professionals helping people heal.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject in school is science. I have taken six science classes over the course of my three years in high school. This is my favorite because I love understanding how parts of the Earth and different species work. All the different aspects that go into the functioning of the world just blow my mind. I give credit to my past science courses for sparking my interest in going to the medical field.
Who is your sports hero and why? My favorite sports hero I would say is Grace Lyons. She is a softball player for the University of Oklahoma. She is able to connect her love of softball with the love of the Lord and gives all of the glory she receives to Him. She has inspired me to get closer in my relationship with God and use my talents in this game to praise the Lord.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? Reading is one of my favorite hobbies to do in my free time and it is hard to choose a favorite. My favorite type of books are adventure/dystopian novels. I like these because they allow me to escape reality on hard days and also motivate me to take a step out of my comfort zone and explore new things even if others could think differently.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is anything by Post Malone. He is my favorite artist alongside Taylor Swift but before a game. I always listen to Posty.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “Grey’s Anatomy.” I have watched this show completely (even after McDreamy died) and even though it is overly dramatic. The medical environment, which the show is based on, always keeps me interested.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “The Notebook.” Every time my friends ask what movie to watch, this movie is always the one I suggest. I think the plot is so sweet and it fills me (with) happiness, but also makes me sob every time.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret talent is that I can use my mouth to make trumpet noises along with any song without having to play the actual instrument.
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NEWS & NOTES
***The Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July is June 26-July 2, Monday-Sunday, in the Denver Metro area, CO.
Athletics Mercado-Smith (18U Power Pool) and Hotshots National-Jones (16U Power Pool) are defending champions.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The Independence Day Tournament is Wednesday-Sunday, June 28-July 2, in Boulder, CO.
Hotshots National-Nelson (18U Boulder), Team NC-Eaton (18U Louisville), Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy (16U Longmont) and OC Batbusters-K. Stith (14U Broomfield) are the defending champions.
Follow the tournament online HERE.
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HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Actor Pierson Fodé has made a stunt video for his audition for the upcoming James Gunn's SUPERMAN LEGACY movie.#Superman #SupermanLegacypic.twitter.com/UqK4S0FxCe
— DC World Telugu (@DCWorldTelugu) June 21, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
