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For fall high school seniors Ashley Pasquarello and Shara Borelli, summer has been all softball all the time – including the 18 innings they played one Saturday afternoon.
For these two friends, vacation starts Aug. 5 when they get home from the 2006 Protect Our Nation’s Youth (PONY) National Tournament, taking place July 28 to Aug. 4 in Sterling, Va. The girls, who room together at tournaments, will compete in the 18-and-under bracket with the Roxborough-based Fillies Fast Pitch.
Pasquarello, of the 2400 Block of Bancroft Street, is looking forward to the trip. "It’s really exciting, especially because it’s my first year doing it," the 17-year-old shortstop-outfielder said. "It’s a good experience."
Borelli, of the 2700 Block of Colorado Street, is equally upbeat. "I think it’s really fun and gets you ready for playing at the next level," she said. "Basically, it makes us more experienced."
The pitcher-first baseman said she would like the Fillies to finish in the top 20.
The athletes, who were Second Team All-Catholic selections as Hallahan juniors, have aspirations of continuing with the sport and they know there will be a lot of college coaches watching these games. Borelli is giving early consideration to West Chester and St. Joe’s, while Pasquarello said she would like to play for Temple. For now, staying close to family and friends is a big factor, but if a Division I coach down South or out West offers a full scholarship, who knows what could happen?
"Knowing if you play that you’re going to get a full ride, then I would do it," Pasquarello said.
DESPITE BEING TWO of the younger players on the team, the girls have been valuable contributors to its success, which includes winning more than 30 games. Pasquarello carries a .410 batting average, while Borelli hits .390 with 24 walks.
Fillies coach Phil Juliano knows the girls from the Hallahan softball team, where he was recently named head coach after several seasons as an assistant. He is confident Borelli and Pasquarello will be strong leaders.
"Shara and Ashley are two great kids and they’re two really good girls as far as personality goes," he said.
Both are capable of leading their team to victory. Case in point: Last month, the Fillies competed in the Amateur Softball Association at State College. Pasquarello hit a game-winning double, knocking in two runs, to give the squad a 4-3 victory.
"It just felt really good," she said. "I knew I needed to do something to get a game-winning hit. Everyone was just so happy. Nobody wants to be the last person to end the game."
Borelli did her part by pitching three shutout innings. One day, during the tournament, she ended up pitching 18 innings. With her good friend providing offensive and defensive support, Borelli knows victory is always within reach.
"I can depend on her because she is a good hitter and fielder," Borelli said of Pasquarello. "It’s good to know a person really well because you know how they play."
Ironically, they used to be friendly rivals in the Catholic Youth Organization, playing for opposing parishes. Pasquarello was on St. Monica’s team, which won four straight Region Six titles. Eighth-grade year, St. Nick’s, who Borelli pitched for, took the crown.
"[The squad] just laughed and had a shaving cream fight," Borelli recalled of that post-championship euphoria.
As teammates, Borelli said, the two "get to mess around together," which includes playing hide-and-seek in hotel rooms.
But once on the field, the girls are all business. Borelli, who throws a fastball, change-up and curve, drives 35 to 40 minutes every other week for pitching lessons in Oaks. In the winter, the duo practices indoors to prepare for upcoming games. During the season, they’re always asking the coaching staff tips to improve. If Borelli and Pasquarello can’t get a ride to practice, they’ll take public transportation.
Chet Cybularz, Pat Feracco and Drew Pownall also provide support as assistant coaches for the Fillies.
Juliano sees a bright future for his South Philly connection. Once the summer season ends next week, he plans to do whatever he can to help with college opportunities, possibly snagging Division I.
"I think it’s very hard, but I think they can do it," Juliano said of Borelli and Pasquarello playing top-level softball. "A lot of Division I coaches don’t look locally and I don’t know why. There is a lot of great talent here."
Before graduating, the seniors-to-be have one goal to accomplish – the Catholic League playoffs, a place Hallahan hasn’t been in at least eight years.
"My goal is to pitch two to three shutouts and make the playoffs," Borelli said. "We haven’t been to the playoffs in [a long time]."
