On February 9, 2011, Norristown senior Gabbie Berry was recognized at a special news conference for signing a letter of intent to play softball at Millersville University.
Gabbie Berry – Millersville University (Softball)Major: Biology/Pre-Vet
Final list of colleges: Millersville, IUP, Dickinson, Rider
Reasons for choosing Millersville: “As soon as I visited the college, I knew that was the type of campus atmosphere I wanted. I really like the location and the rural setting. Then once I met the team my mind was pretty much made up. I liked the intensity with which they practiced and the chemistry between the girls. They really seemed like a family.”
What was the progression that let you to playing collegiate softball? “I’ve been playing travel ball since I was 11, and I have always really loved it. I started guest playing in showcases with the East Norriton Heartbreakers 18U when I was 13, and I saw just how good the competition of the sport could be. Then when my cousin was recruited to play at Rhode Island University, I thought – this is something I really want to strive for, and I’ve been working for it ever since.
“I’ve been playing in showcases for four years, so it’s been a pretty long but exciting process. Unfortunately, my main recruiting year (the summer of my junior year) I badly sprained my ankle, which took me out for all but two tournaments of my most important season to be seen. The fall of my senior year I was able to come back fully healthy and was then recruited.”
Coach Jon Kandrick says: “Gabbie is just a wonderful kid. She’s a four-year varsity starter. For travel ball, she catches, and she actually was signed by Millersville as a catcher. We were blessed to have Kimmy Detwiler as a catcher Gabbie’s sophomore year, and she wasn’t going to catch over Kimmy. Last year, we as coaches had a long talk, and we said - we can’t take this girl off third base because we don’t have a powerful pitcher, so we talked to Gabbie, and she said, ‘Coach, I’ll do whatever you want me to do.’ We were able to keep her on third, and she was first team all-league at third the last three years.
“She’s a captain this year. She’s a fun kid. My assistant coach always says, ‘I just want to live one day in the life of Gabbie.’ She has a lot of fun, and she’s a kid you can always joke around with.
“Some of the plays she makes at third base are incredible. She has a great arm, and she has great mechanics. The kid has an unbelievable swing and is probably batting more than .400. She’s had a couple of four-hit games and a lot of three-hit games. She was Norristown’s nominee for the Dannehower Award. She’s a coach’s dream. My assistant and I sit on the bench, and we often say, ‘You don’t replace a kid like Gabbie.’ She’s a wonderful, wonderful kid.”
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