Ella Sottile is an underclassman living on a diamond full of players older than her, but she said even though it’s intimidating, she’s working hard to earn her place.
“I just remember that I’ve worked hard to get on this field, and I deserve to be on the field as much as the upperclassmen,” Sottile said. “The older players are very helpful to me. They show me tricks that make things easier, they always support me and have my back. They don’t treat me as if i’m just an underclassmen, they treat me as an equal part of the team.”
Sottile said she fell in love with softball when she was nine, and she would play all day long.
“I love the intensity of the game and bonding with my teammates,” she said. “I love the feeling you get when everyone is cheering you on. We’re 25-6 this year, and we are all feeling good and working hard. I want to roll a couple of double plays this year, and I’d like to hit one over the fence. We also want to make it to state.”

In addition to the personal and team goals surrounding performance, Sottile also said trying to set an example was important to her.
“I work hard and I give my best effort,” she said. “I have good sportsmanship and do not boast to the other team. I treat my team like my family. I love them and give them the respect they deserve. Off the field I try and do as much for the community as I can. I am involved in a lot of clubs so I can reach out and do kind things for people. I try and show everyone that I care about them. I help the staff and everyone I can, to make their job just a little bit easier.”
In her free time, Sottile said she likes to go on car rides and jam to music with her friends. She said she also loves to read.