On Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, Council Rock North seniors Marissa ‘Shorty’ Thompson and Danielle Walters were recognized for committing to continue their softball careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the signing event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p626378838
“I was the assistant varsity coach back when Danielle and Shorty entered the program as freshmen,” coach Frank Marino said. “At that time, Greg Heydet was the head coach, and he had done a nice job of turning that program around to get very competitive, and in came their class of freshmen. Danielle and Shorty were the two freshmen that made varsity. These two are the first girls that I had going in and coming out since I’ve been with the program. When you think of Council Rock South, these are the two players that kind of come to mind for what they’ve done over the years and their competitiveness.
“Both of them are not afraid to fail, and I think that’s what has allowed them to excel in the sport. They have failed, and they learned from it, and they continued to get stronger and better at what they do. It’s just unfortunate – I think we were teed up to have a much better year than we did last year. We had a few more pieces to the puzzle, and they were looking forward to competing against the rest of the schools in the SOL and across the state. Obviously, it’s very disappointing, but maybe there’s a lesson in the long term that will help them in the next phase of their life as they carry the frustration of having to deal with adversity and get through it – losing their senior year and losing not just softball but graduation, prom and senior week. They’re two outstanding kids on and off the field.”
Marissa “Shorty” Thompson – Monmouth University (Softball)
Major: Health & Physical Education
Reasons for choosing Monmouth: “Monmouth was one of my first offers in sophomore year, and I just knew right away. I liked the school – the campus is perfect, it’s close to home, and I knew I wanted to go D-I so it was an easy choice.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in softball at the collegiate level? “Ever since I started walking, I was playing softball, and probably at age nine when I went into travel, I was like, ‘D-I is where I want to go. I just have to pick a school.’”
Coach Frank Marino says: “Shorty is a quiet leader – she leads by her actions. She’s a kid that will run through the wall not only for the coach but for her teammates. She came in and immediately got a starting job at the shortstop position. We had heard so much about both of these players coming into the program. I didn’t know them, and at the first practice, one of the coaches hit a hard ground ball up the middle. It might have been her first or second rep, and she dives across the infield, knocks it down and makes a throw to first. All the coaches just looked at each other – ‘Okay, this kid can play,’ and she has gone on to fill that role. I can’t tell you how many putouts she’s had, how many shallow left field and shallow right field balls she’s tracked down, how many balls she’s knocked down, how many big plays she’s made for us in the last couple of years. She’s another kid that’s going to go on to bigger and better things at Monmouth, but again, frustrated that we won’t get to see her play that role this year.”
About Shorty:
Favorite food: Cheesesteak
Favorite TV show: Prison Break
Favorite music: Rap/Hip Rap
Danielle Walters – Bloomfield College (Softball)
Major: Psychology
Final list of colleges: Bloomfield, West Chester, Rider
Reasons for choosing Bloomfield: “I was doing a lot of camps, and I was seeing a lot of the coaches. The one day this guy came over and said he was interested in me and told me all about the school. I went over and saw it – it was a small school and really homey. I felt like I could 
fit in – everyone was like a family there. I loved it the second I saw it. The team is great, the coach is great – everything about it.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in softball at the collegiate level? “My cousins played college softball, so I always had that idea in my head from the second I started playing. I always thought it was so cool, I always wanted to be on TV and that stuff – I didn’t know until later that I wouldn’t be on TV! I was always hoping to be like those girls I saw on TV and live out my dream. I’m really excited.”
Coach Frank Marino says: “There was a lot of talk about this incoming freshman, and Danielle had an immediate impact. We recognized her strength, and certainly Greg Heydet realized how valuable a player she was all around. She split the time with Steph Andreoli, who was the senior pitcher that year, so she did see a lot of time in the circle. When she wasn’t pitching, she was the starting centerfielder and just an all-around aggressive player – a good base runner, a good hitter, a good IQ, but certainly her strength is in the circle. That freshman year I believe we were one game away from states, and she pitched very well. She had a very strong year as a sophomore, and we were seeded 10th in districts. I think the most special thing about Danielle is that - unless you saw the scoreboard - you could not tell if we were winning or losing. You couldn’t tell from her demeanor. She’s that kind of kid that battles to the end. She doesn’t get emotional, and she refuses to quit. She’ll be missed, and I think the biggest piece is not ever knowing how we would have done her senior year with her.”
About Danielle:
Favorite food: Chicken Noodle Soup
Favorite movie: Wolf of Wall Street
Favorite artist: Florida Georgia Line
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