Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Alissa Zoelle - Whatever it takes

Tony Altobelli

It’s the same advice every coach gives every hitter, but for Corona

del Mar High softball standout Alissa Zoelle, she’s taken the words of

wisdom, “see it and hit it” to a whole new level.

“I just try to keep it as simple as I can at the plate,” Zoelle said.

“See it and hit it. That’s about it.”

Apparently, Zoelle’s vision must be better than others, because she’s

actually on pace to better last season’s Newport-Mesa District record

batting average of .456.

This year, the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week is hitting a whopping

.586 (11 for 21) and combines that consistent pop in the lineup with a

smooth glove at shortstop, or a strong arm as a Sea Kings’ pitcher.

“She’s a competitor all the way,” CdM Coach Terry Christiano said.

“She’s one of the best hitters we’ve got and she’s the best pitcher we’ve

got. She’s extremely steady in both areas. She may not strike out 20

hitters per game, but she’ll get outs and that’s all that matters.”

Zoelle’s effort in the Costa Mesa Tournament semifinals against rival

Newport Harbor on March 10 was a great example of her toughness.

The sophomore threw six innings and allowed only one run on five hits

before her bicep tendinitis started to flare up.

“Pitching is all about location,” Zoelle said. “I just try to throw to

a hitter’s weakness. After one time through the lineup, I have a pretty

good idea of where to pitch to each hitter.”

Despite the pain, Zoelle stayed in the game and pitched two more

innings before giving way to teammate Mijanou Pham in the ninth. CdM won

the game in nine innings, 6-5.

“She really wanted to win the game,” Christiano said. “I asked her how

her shoulder was and even though she was hurting, she really wanted to

stay in and try to finish the game out. When I finally moved her to

shortstop, she never questioned it. She’s a team player all the way.”

Zoelle was just as strong at the plate. She collected three hits and

scored two runs, including the game-winner in the ninth inning. That

final run took place one batter too late, according to Zoelle.

“I didn’t tag up on a fly ball the batter before and I was so upset

with myself,” Zoelle said. “I know I messed up and I was just hoping I

could get another opportunity to score. Fortunately, Katrina

(Riddleshimer) came through with a base hit to win the game for us.”

Zoelle has been playing softball since she was in kindergarten, “when

I was playing with the boys,” she said.

Not to be confined to just the Sea Kings, Zoelle plays for the Irvine

Sting travel team. “We go all over the place,” she said. “We played in

Colorado last year in the Louisville Slugger Tournament, which was pretty

cool.”

It’s that experience that gives Zoelle a leadership edge over players

her age or even older.

“I try to be a vocal leader on the field, trying to move players

around,” Zoelle said. “But I still try to just lead by example.”

That hard work just might land Zoelle and the Sea Kings into the CIF

Southern Section Division IV playoffs. “We can hit the ball, but so far,

we haven’t been able to put things together for big innings,” Zoelle

said. “As far as my pitching goes, I still need to improve my speed. I’d

like to play in college and I know that’s something that has to get

better.”

That, and tagging up on fly balls.