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If Kristina Kelly were the type to brag about her softball achievements, she’d have plenty to say.
But since she’s so modest, the 17-year-old athlete has had to leave it to others to recognize her. And they have: Kelly became the first three-time All-Public softball selection in the history of Girard Academic Music Program.
She was the first Pioneers player to graduate with more than 100 career hits (101, to be exact). And her coach credits her as a key to GAMP’s 9-5 season — its best finish ever in Gold Division play. The team MVP hit .453 with a .528 on-base percentage after tallying 32 runs, 34 hits and 26 RBI. In Kelly’s 75 at-bats this season, she only struck out once.
Now the talented shortstop will have another accomplishment to do the talking for her: She is the 2003 recipient of the Review‘s Female Athlete of the Year Award.
"I definitely can’t believe it," said Kelly, who also earned GAMP’s Scholar Female Athlete of the Year Award. "I always hope to accomplish something everyone would remember me for. I’ve set new goals for the incoming freshmen."
The toughest challenge for those new players will be continuing the Pioneers’ Public League championship pursuit. Kelly, of 16th and Ritner streets, was hoping to leave her team with a title, but GAMP’s run ended with a 9-6 quarterfinal loss to Girls High.
Despite never advancing past the quarterfinals, the player saw her team improve from five wins in her sophomore year to 11 overall wins this season.
"She was one of the main reasons we were able to achieve a number of our goals this year," said coach Frank Cipparone.
Kelly, who hopes to continue playing softball at the University of the Sciences, prefers sharing the credit with her teammates.
"We pulled together as a team, which is the most important thing," said the athlete, who spent last summer playing with the Philadelphia Spirit, a Northeast Philly-based travel team. "We had four new freshmen who made a big impact in the lineup and on defense."
Kelly grew up playing baseball with boys in the Delaware Valley and Southeast youth athletic associations.
For many of those years, she missed having the guidance of her dad, Karl Kelly Sr., who died when she was 9. But he continues to serve as an inspiration, and Kristina likes to think her softball success would bring a smile to his face.
"I always wanted him to be proud of me wherever he is," she said.
Before she enters college, Kelly is hoping to participate in a high-profile softball competition in the Dominican Republic. She is one of two Philadelphia softball players invited to compete in the Sports Tours USA tournament, to be held July 8-15. Her family is still trying to raise the $3,000 needed for the trip. Kelly is saving up as much money as she can from her afterschool job at CVS.
It’s quite a feat that the teen could fit in work with her many non-sports activities at GAMP. The member of the National Honor Society belonged to the bell choir, the cheerleading team, the yearbook committee and national academic league. She also performed in the school production of Mame, and outside of GAMP, took dancing lessons.
"I never wanted to have free time," Kelly explained.
That shouldn’t be a problem at the University of the Sciences, where the athlete will study pharmaceuticals. She believes she’ll be happy as a member of USP’s Division III softball team.
"I just want to play. I don’t care where or how [good or] bad the team is," Kelly said.
And the soon-to-be freshman just might help the squad become a contender, as she did with GAMP. The USP softball team finished 4-27 this season.
As for the athlete’s former squad, she plans to catch as many games as possible to cheer on the Pioneers. Kelly is even thinking about asking Cipparone, her former coach, if she could coach first base.
That way, she could also keep a close eye on her records; one of her sophomore teammates, Angelica Malatino, whom Kelly describes as "like my little sister," could graduate as GAMP’s new hits queen.
But if her trailblazing performance at GAMP is any indication, the player has plenty of new records to set.
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To contribute to the Kelly family’s efforts to send Kristina Kelly to the Dominican Republic for the Sports Tours USA tournament, call 215-868-0101.
Runners-up
Carlene Hightower,
Prendergast basketball
When the Pandas needed to win their final regular-season game against Hallahan, this junior forward, of 33rd and Reed streets, stepped up big time by tallying 30 points and 17 rebounds. The First Team All-Catholic selection is anxious to get another shot at the championship crown next season.
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Heather Cacciola,
Goretti basketball and softball
Goretti didn’t win many games, but this two-sport athlete’s efforts still stood out, earning her All-Catholic honors in both basketball and softball. The Lambs’ starting guard earned Second Team All-Catholic honors after tying for the team lead in scoring with 11 points per game. On the softball field, Cacciola earned First Team All-Catholic honors after ranking second on the team in hitting and first in stolen bases. Coach Chip Reitano said the senior was one of the Catholic League’s best center-fielders.
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Shyema Robinson,
Southern basketball and softball
This senior made the Public League all-star teams for both basketball and softball. Robinson’s contributions on the softball field, which included a batting average over .500, helped the Lady Rams advance to the Public League playoffs with an 8-3 record. Robinson also averaged 12 points per game during basketball season.
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Ashley Pearsall,
Prep Charter basketball
This sophomore point guard played a key role in the Lady Huskies’ run at the Bronze Division title, as she averaged 20-plus points and six-plus assists. The Public League rookies ended up finishing second with a 10-1 record, and were wiped out by Central in the opening round of the playoffs. Even though her team was greatly overmatched, Pearsall scored 15 points in the game.
