EASTON, Md. – Karina Twining, a prospect out of Easton High School, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at Goldey-Beacom College in the Spring of 2012, it was announced today by head coach Jerry Grasso.
“Karina will provide added depth at the catcher position,” Grasso said. “She is quick out of the box from the left side, and she has tremendous instincts on the base paths. Her positive attitude and strong game sense will be a nice addition to the current squad.”
Twining boasts five years of playing experience through her local Little League, All-Star, club and high school softball teams.
She first started playing in the Easton Little League and its all-star teams from 2005-06 before moving on to play for the 12-and-under Dragons Sports Club team in the Fall of 2006. In 2006-07, she began playing for the 14-and-under Eastern Shore Thunder while also competing for the Easton Junior League and its All-Star team.
Switching over to the Midshore Express club team, she also began to play high school softball at Easton at the junior varsity and varsity levels in 2007-08. Then in 2008-09, she began playing for the 18-and-under Delaware Storm, a team in which she still competes for presently.
During the 2008-09 season, Twining led the Storm to a Delaware ASA State Championship and an appearance in the USA/ASA National Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. She also became a full-fledged varsity player at Easton that year.
In 2009-10, Twining continued playing varsity softball at Easton and for the Storm, and also played her third year of softball for the Dragons Sports Club of the USSSA. She led the Dragons to the Eastern “C” World Series Championship, and she was awarded the tournament's most valuable player award.
Twining, who bats left and throws right, plays a variety of positions including catcher, outfield and second base. She has attended several camps and clinics throughout her youth career, including the following: Michelle Smith Gold Camp, Sports at the Beach (Georgetown, Del., 2006), Margie Knight Clinic (Denton, Md., 2007), Delaware Storm Clinic (2008), and the NFCA Recruitment Camp – Delaware Invitational (2009 and 2010).
Delaware Storm head coach Jerry Kirby explained that he asks his team to abide by the acronym HRLT – which stands for heart, respect, loyalty and trust. According to Kirby, Twining represents all four of these as a player and a person.
“Karina and her family don't just show up on game day, they are part of the life's blood of our program,” Kirby said. “She participates in all team functions, fundraisers, etc.,” Kirby said. “Also, this young lady shows guidance and helps coach our younger players on the 10-and-under and 12-and-under teams.”
Kirby also pointed out that Twining worked herself into a starting role with the Storm and continues to get better.
“On the field she has worked extremely hard,” Kirby said. “Since coming in her first year as a support player off the bench, she has diligently worked herself as a player that never comes off the field. Sometimes she catches four games back-to-back. She is the true meaning of the “Energizer Bunny. A very quick study…she picked up hitting and slapping from the left side in less than four months and has continually progressed.”
Twining also boasts numerous academic achievements including: Honor Roll (2006-07, 2007-08, 2010-11), Scholar Athlete Award (2007-08), and Principal's Honor Roll (2008-09).
“Our team practices in Georgetown, Del. three times a week, and Karina and her family live in Easton, Md., well over an hour and 20 minutes away,” Kirby explained. “Karina and her Dad rarely miss a practice; in fact, they are usually the first ones there. She does this, and still manages a very respectable grade-point average.”
