Experience in infield helps Neal turn the corner with Starpoint

Fourth-year letterman credits time with USSSA New York Pride as part of progression

PENDLETON — When Morgan Neal glances around the infield, there’s no hesitancy.

Instead, as she awaits the next pitch, it’s quite the opposite.

Running towards ground balls or starting a double play around the infield is the end product of Neal’s mentality playing at third base. But finding her rhythm in Starpoint’s starting lineup defensively took Neal time to develop, including playing at first base, where she started her varsity career three years ago.

Now a sophomore, Neal has transformed from being one of the young players on the team into one of the Spartans’ anchors, both on the field and at the plate, with her aggressiveness growing from year to year. And it’s Neal’s overall play that has contributed towards the Spartans’ start to the season, with sights on advancing beyond the Section VI quarterfinal after three straight years. 

Through May 1, Neal helped Starpoint win three of its five contests, provided three RBI in her last two games and recorded a team-high eight of the team’s 15 assists and 15 total chances in the field. The second-guessing Neal experienced early in her career, both during school ball and in the off-season, is now replaced with the mindset of recording the out, no matter what.

“I think it’s my mentality in the field that’s probably (grown) the most about me,” Neal said.

“Because, when I get the ball, I know where I’m going with it. … I think just playing a lot and working hard mostly, because, now it just clicks in my head. It’s not a second thought. I know what I’m going to do before the play is made.”

It hasn’t always been a smooth journey for Neal. After making plays at first base as a seventh grader, including running into fencing along the baseline at Starpoint Middle School to grab a fly ball, Neal had a slight bump in the road the following year.

Neal dealt with the after effects of almost tearing the meniscus in her left knee before the season began. A concussion during a team practice sidelined Neal for seven games, before returning for the final four games of the year, including the Spartans’ Class A2 quarterfinal loss to Kenmore East.

Now fully healthy, Neal has recorded a hit and 14 RBI in 13 of her last 22 contests and only three errors in this span. In addition to improving each school year, Neal took the extra steps during the entire year to progress.

For seven years, Neal has competed for the New York Pride, a fastpitch travel softball organization in the United States Specialty Sports Association. With a facility located in Clarence for training, the Pride competes in tournaments and showcases with their players looking to play in college in the future. 

In addition to training with coach Jared Conlon twice a week, competing with the Pride helps Neal keep her skills sharp in between her seasons with Starpoint. With head coach John Adamo and the 16-U Showcase Green team, Neal is gaining experience facing nationwide competition, which will continue with two events in July, first the Battle in the Burgh in Pennsylvania and the D1 Showcase Great Lakes Championship in Ohio.

“I feel like being with (Adamo) has taught me so much, but it’s just made me an aggressive player,” Neal said. “I think playing at a competitive level, definitely, because I’ve always been the youngest on the team. I play two years up. So, playing with older girls is just helping me produce in what I can do.” 

Neal is now 52 games into her career with the Spartans and head coach Joe Hill still remembers why she became the first seventh grader to join varsity in his 15 seasons with the program. Her knowledge of the game and physical attributes factored in Hill bringing Neal up to varsity from the start, with a bright future ahead. 

“I think the biggest thing for her to become the player that she can be is consistency and not beating herself up,” Starpoint head coach Joe Hill said. “But I think that she is very, very well-rounded. She really doesn't have a weakness and, I think, that if she continues to just progress on everything that she does, she'll be fine.” 

Pics by Shawn Turri/WNYAthletics