Dan's Papers - May 30, 2008 - Jessie Stavola: 1,000 Strikeouts, Eyes on Olympics

Just weeks away from graduation, East Hampton High School senior Jessie Stavola has a lot on her plate. The second team all-American softball pitcher has built an impressive resume of remarkable achievements while maintaining a 94 average at school. East Hampton High School head softball coach Lou Reale said, "She is the most dominant athlete I have seen in 26 years of coaching in any sport, male or female - and a great kid, great athlete, great student and great friend." He added that Stavola has worked very hard to get to where she is. The star pitcher has a private pitching coach, lifts weights, and has an iron-willed desire to succeed. Not to mention she also is the quintessential team player.

Recently, Stavola recorded the 1,000th strikeout of her illustrious high school career, and to date has given up only three earned runs in 141 innings. These achievements earned her an athletic scholarship to the University of Connecticut, where she will attend this fall. Her mother, Dawn Stavola, said, "She had offers from all different types of schools, but she wanted to stay in the northeast, and after first thinking she may want to go to Stony Brook, she choose UConn."

Stavola's recounted the story of how a girl who had "a lot of energy as a child" became the player she is today. Her father, Jim Stavola, was a promising left-handed pitcher/first baseman for East Hampton High School until a severe ankle injury ended his hope of college baseball. He would practice with Jessie when she was young. Dawn also credits 6th grade Montauk School softball coach John Cossentino, who converted Jessie into a pitcher, for working diligently with her daughter. Jessie then attended a softball camp at Hofstra University, and when she reached the 8th grade level, pitching coach Kristen Alifano came into the picture. She taught Jessie the proper form and technique to being a top-notch fast pitch softball pitcher. Coach Reale said, "At first she wasn't mentally strong as she is today, but her family worked hard, sacrificed, drove her four hours to traveling games, and hired a pitching coach to help her develop." In addition to her parents' unconditional support, Jessie's younger brother James, a cross-country runner for East Hampton High School, has continuously encouraged his sister. Dawn said, "He's so there for her - proud, never jealous, actually quite the opposite."

Dawn also credits Caity O'Brien, Jessie's catcher on the East Hampton School team for four years. "Caity and Jessie worked hard together. This year's catcher, Kristina Schwehr, also is doing an outstanding job." Coach Reale said, "Jessie brings the entire team confidence, but it is a team - everybody is important, everybody has played a role in our success, and Jessie is the consummate team player."

Both Coach Reale and Dawn commented on Jessie's commitment this season to win the New York State high school championship game that the team lost in the finals last year. The coach stressed the team must win one game at a time and not think too far ahead, but having Stavola puts the odds in East Hampton's favor.

Dawn added that one of Jessie's dreams is to make the 2012 Olympic team. But first, Coach Reale explained that a challenge in college would be adjusting to the increased distance between the pitching rubber and home plate, from 40 to 43 feet. He said, "This should help Jessie with all the movement she has on the ball, but there is a lot of talent in Division I. There are players in Arizona and California who get to play in good weather all year round. Until just recently no team from the East ever made it to the championship game." But he added, "Anything is possible if she works hard, stays healthy and develops further." Coach Reale also predicts that by the end of this season, Jessie will be ranked fourth in the New York State high school record for most career strikeouts. And let's hope she will add a New York State championship to her resume.