THE OFFICIAL HOME OF
LONG ISLAND PRIDE FASTPITCH
WINTER TRAINING WRAP UP
DEFENSIVE
TRAINING
POWER HITTING
& BAT SPEED
SPEED & STRENGTH
PARISI
Our intensive 11-week, 4-day Winter Training Program is reaching its conclusion.
Our dedicated athletes have trained with intention, guided by the
exceptional Pride All-Star training staff, and their progress has truly been impressive.
We’ve seen incredible growth in both their skills and character.
As we close out this final weekend, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our athletes and their parents for their steadfast commitment this winter!
PRIDE COACH OF THE MONTH
Colleen Jockel (formerly Lefferts) is a former standout collegiate softball player who now serves as an assistant coach for Long Island Pride Fastpitch 12U Love.
Colleen graduated from West Islip High School and earned many honors and awards during her high school years for both softball and soccer. Most notably for softball, Colleen was named All-State both her junior and senior year and All-American her senior year. Colleen graduated third in her class and received an athletic and academic scholarship to play softball at UNC Chapel Hill. In recognition of Colleen’s high school softball career, she is a member of the West Islip High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
At UNC, Colleen was a four-year starter, playing outfield and was a lefty slapper. Colleen was named to the All-ACC Tournament team her sophomore year. In her senior year, Colleen was selected team captain, alongside the current UNC softball head coach, Megan Smith Lyon, playing all sixty-two (62) games and finishing the year with a perfect 1.00 fielding percentage.
Colleen was also consistently recognized for her work in the classroom: Three time ACC Director Scholar Athlete award recipient (1997, 1998 and 1999) and Academic All-America All-District Team (1999). While at UNC, Colleen made the Honor Roll and Dean’s List every semester compiling a 3.64 GPA.
After graduating from UNC, Colleen attended Hofstra University School of Law on an academic scholarship. She practiced complex commercial real estate law in New York City and is currently the real estate manager for PSEG Long Island. Colleen lives in Babylon with her husband and their three daughters.
Colleen’s passion for the game, coupled with her commitment to the development and education of young players embodies Long Island Pride’s philosophy and culture and makes her an integral part of the Pride organization.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS
Join us as we celebrate our athletes and their remarkable achievements this month...
12U Lovè:
Adriana Criollo - received 2 student of the month awards in February. One for science and the other for gym.
Aerin Jockel - made high honor roll with a 95 overall avg. Aerin racked up perfect 100’s in science, social studies and mandarin.
Arianna Riker - achieved an overall 95 average and Honor roll this month. Riker was also honored with Outstanding attorney award in Mock Trial Competition
Autumn Garafola - high honor roll, concluded 7th grade volleyball season and made the 7th grade basketball team
Denalise Lluberes - received principal honor roll earlier this month. DK also made Bill's Honor Roll and was gifted an Amazon gift card. Bills honor roll, founded by Bill Kipton, of Kipton Hotels and Restaurants recognizes and celebrates exceptional grades.
Gabriella Ruggiero - made the Honor Roll again earlier this month and she was just asked by her school Varsity Softball Coach if she would like to move up to Varsity this spring.
Hailey Frankie - made the honor roll this quarter again with a 94 average while in accelerated Math, English and Art
Macey Meyers - Received Silver Honor Roll earlier this month. She was invited to ARISTA program which is part of the National Junior Honor Society. Her most recent progress report shows her current average is a 93 from an 87! A goal she set earlier this month and has been working hard to achieve.
Muggy Mugno - made High Honor Roll for the second consecutive quarter at SALK Middle School
Zoe Vrahatis - straight A’s in this months report card, also earning Honor roll. Zoe was just selected to the inaugural All-Ripken tournament being held in cooperstown NY this summer.
14U Abruscato:
Alexis Hoffman - earned high honor this month with grades ranging from 95-100, earning an overall avg of 98.13. she was able to relax from her usually hustle with a Cruise vacation to the Bahamas from Florida.
Arianna and Ava Lynch - both selected to the All Ripken Team for event being held in Cooperstown NY this summer. Both twins earning nearly the same exact GPA this month, Ava 94.4 and Arianna 94.5, achieving Honor Roll at St. Anthony’s HS. The Twins know how to work hard and play hard as they just returned from a week long excursion in Costa Rica.
Abigail Abbatiello - earned the teams highest GPA this month of 99.75
Team collectively boasts a 96.21 team GPA with every single player earning Honor roll with grades from 93+
Futures Rose:
Ava Leek - achieved some big milestones in high school varsity track as an eighth grader, running in counties and conferences. Ava qualified for Nike nationals in the 1500! Ava has gotten high honor roll this month and was recently elected treasurer for national junior honor society and also treasurer of schools Tri-M music honor society.
Mia Ruiz - took advantage of the school week off with an incredible trip to Paris, Belgium and Switzerland.
Cailyn Rose - Earns the teams highest Gpa this month with an exciting 100.49 - WOW!
Team earned a 4.0 Avg as their grades tallied to a 95.13 overall with 11 members earning Honor Roll achievements.
18U National:
Nina Davidson - achieved her PR having completed 8 reps lifting 200 lbs on the trap bar this month. Nina also set the team’s record for exit velocity at our final hitting session this winter with a 76 mph missle.
Alexis Zaremba - earned national ranking by Extra Inning Softball as the #5 infielder in the North East (Class of 2026) and ranked #54 Player in the Nation (2026).
Michaela Ressegger - was selected by Kellenberg’s Admin to participate in this summers pilgrimages to Italy.ts
Makayla Martinez - earned the teams highest GPA this month with a 97.11 earning herself continued High Honor Roll Status.
Team achieved a collective GPA of 93.0 while 11 athletes earned honor roll with cumulative grades of 90+
18U NATIONAL
4.O
FUTURES ROSE
4.0
14U
ABRUSCATO
4.0
PRIDE ATHLETES IN THE CLASSROOM
COLLEGE
CAMP TOUR
We are proud to share that our Pride athletes visited 32 different college camps! A huge thank you goes out to all the coaches who hosted our athletes and provided them with invaluable opportunities and support. Your dedication and hospitality have made this camp season truly memorable, and we deeply appreciate every moment you’ve invested in our future stars. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey!
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
This Months Birthdays...
Josephine Polisi - February 7 - 17 years old
Presley Borne - February 22 - 18 years old
Molly Silecchia - February 22 - 17 years old
Denalise Lluberes - February 28 - 12 years old
Good Luck!
To Our Pride Athletes Trying Out for School Ball:
This winter, you put in the work, pushed your limits, and built the confidence that will carry you through tryouts. Preparation eliminates fear—and you are more physically and mentally prepared than ever.
No matter where or who you’re playing with, always bring that PRIDE softball mentality—grit, passion, and the relentless drive to compete. Trust yourself, trust your training, and leave it all on the field.
Go get ’em!