Thunderbird softball swings into gear
Matt Wilhalme
Signing away the softball team’s future, 11 high school athletes have left their marks on their letters of intent and become lady Thunderbirds.In his first year of coaching softball at MCC, coach John Malgradi, has already began filling the ranks of his future teams.
On Jan. 21, Malgradi sealed another verbal commitment from a player who will enter the MCC athletic system in two years.
“A lot of players athletically in general are verbaling early to colleges, be it junior college, university, and not necessarily just softball,” Malgradi said.
“I think that what we have done in three months here with new staff, new head, were at a point in time where players just want to come. It’s an exciting time for Thunderbird softball.”
The active players on the roster this year have epitomized the goals and spirit that the MCC athletic department is developing on campus, he added.
“We focus on the players improving athletically, academically and ensure that they leave here as better people,” Malgradi said.
The softball team this year is made up almost entirely of players that Malgradi did not get a chance to recruit.
He was able to add just two players to his roster of his own recruiting.
The MCC softball team no rests in the hands of baseball family unlike any other.
Malgradi’s pitching coach is his father-in-law Jay Voak, who also mentored his daughter Kirsten Voak, who is the pitching coach for the 2008 NCAA Softball National Champion ASU Sun Devils.
“I wouldn’t say there is no competition between us it’s more of a support. When its spring time you know you see each other here and there,” said Malgradi discussing his family relationship during softball season each year.
After more than eight years of training with his wife, Malgradi claims that his understanding of pitching has come through osmosis.
If he encounters any other problems he can reach out to the coaching staff at both ASU and U of A where he has developed solid relationships.
This year the team expects to surprise the teams they play with their offense and earn themselves a trip to Illinois to play for the World Series, according to Malgradi.
“We need to play like we’re not afraid of success they will become one of the best in the country, and we’ll get there,” Malgradi said.
“Malgradi is really hardcore but he gets the job done,” said Kayla Lawrence an 18-year-old freshman player.
Dana Pechloff a returning player from last year said that the team has improved more than 110 percent.
Originally attending Phoenix College, a dominant force in softball in the valley, Pechloff now pitches and plays first base for MCC.
“Were going to be the team to look out for, watch,” Lawrence said.
After finishing the teams “Hell Week” where the team spent more than 90 hours conditioning, working drills and learning the ins and outs of each others personality, the women’s softball team is ready to get out and face their competition,” Malgradi said.
