Sisterly Pitcher/Catcher Combo Shines for Lady Leps Softball

The La Grange softball team has really turned things around this season after a 1-10 start.

The Lady Leps have won 12 of their last 13 games, and a big key to that has been the play of sisters Marissa and Melissa Gonzales. Marissa is a standout senior pitcher for the Lady Leps who throws to her younger sister Melissa, who is a junior catcher.

Over the past week La Grange outscored their opponents 30-1 with Marissa starting both games at pitcher, including a complete game four hitter over Giddings. Melissa was behind the plate for both games and drove in a team-high three RBIs Monday against Manor New Tech.

“I coach the pitchers and catchers so I deal with them all day, every day,” La Grange head coach Robert Young said. “They are typical sisters. They argue, fight, yell and scream and throw softballs at each other, but when it’s time to get down to work they have a great working relationship with each other. It really helps, them being sisters. They know all the quirks that the rest of us don’t know, and it’s a great deal to have.”

We’re proud to honor Marissa and Melissa Gonzales as this week’s Fayette County Athletes of the Week.

Marissa, what’s it like pitching to your sister?

Marissa: “It’s fun. Sometimes it can be a little aggravating, but I love pitching to

her.”

Melissa, what’s it like catching your sister?

Melissa: “It’s very aggravating. I’m always getting in trouble because I don’t frame it right, but I love being back there catching her.”

What’s something you love about your sister?

Marissa: “How funny she is. She takes most things like a joke so she makes softball fun. “

Melissa: “I love all of her.”

What’s something about your sister that annoys you?

Melissa: “Her attitude.” Marissa: “Her’s too.”

How much do you talk about softball at home?

Marissa: “A lot.” Melissa: “A lot with our mother.”

Which teammate is the loudest cheerleader in the dugout: Melissa: “Me, I’m the loudest.”

Marissa: “She’s the loud one.”

Any pregame rituals?

Marissa: “We just pray before every game.”

Favorite subject in school?

Marissa: “English because I love to write.”

Melissa: “Math. I’ve always been good at math. It just comes easy to me.”

This is head coach Robert Young’s first year with the team. How would you describe him?

Melissa: “Very funny. He’s like a dad.”

Marissa: “No, he’s like an uncle. I really fun uncle.”

New assistant coaches BlakeAnn-Fritsch and Hannah Gerecke both won state softball titles as players for La Grange. What have you learned from them?

Melissa: “They have been working with me on my throwing.”

Marissa: “My (batting) stance. I stay too tight. They are teaching me to make better contact.”

How did this team turn things around after the slow start?

Melissa: “We got more together as a team.” Marissa: “Now we’re all like one big group.”