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Wisniewski not shy about goals

Gulf's standout shortstop welcomes more exposure in hopes of playing Division I.

By IZZY GOULD
Published March 3, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - Julie Wisniewski can hang her head when frustration strikes. Her flip-flops usually stare back and lift her spirit.

The word "Hawaii" painted in rainbow colors across the strap brings her back. A Hawaiian tournament in December was where Gulf's junior shortstop realized her move to Florida might truly be her ticket to Division I.

"I always thought she was one of those raw talents that when she would get a stage to be on would shine," Gulf coach Rick Hohenthaner said. "... I know without a doubt, softball's her life."

Exposure of any kind in the early days of March - toes included - was once laughable.

Wisniewski grew up in Buffalo Grove, Ill. - a Chicago suburb where March temperatures struggle to reach the low 40s and routinely fall lower than Tampa's record low of 18. She was raised on WGN and Michael Jordan, a Southsider by choice in a house divided by baseball - White Sox vs. Cubs.

Wisniewski and her father, Leigh, prefer the black hats of the defending World Series champions. Her mother, Debbie, and half-brother, Bob O'Roark like the ivory-coated walls of Wrigley Field. They agree on one thing - any sport with a ball and four bases gets two thumbs up.

Florida provided the lush landscape and blue skies virtually all year, a perfect place for year-round softball.

Wisniewski landed in New Port Richey and caught on with Pasco Bash, a summer travel team coached by her cousin, Patty Cain. But Hohenthaner changed everything when Wisniewski - a trained catcher - forgot her equipment and began taking groundballs one afternoon.

"Immediately, I could see the softness of her hands and the fact she was smooth to the ball," Hohenthaner said. "Her feet were very coordinated, she was almost gliding.

"By virtue of practice I found who I think is probably the best shortstop in the county."

As a sophomore, Wisniewski batted .455 with a county leading five triples.

Coupled with her 3.4 grade point average, Hohenthaner nominated Wisniewski and his sophomores for the TourneySport USA Hawaii Softball Classic. More than 2,000 girls from across the country were nominated and about 200 were selected to participate.

Wisniewski was one of 11 named to the all-tournament team after she led the Pipeline to the title with an RBI-single and run scored in the final before a group of scouts.

"We weren't allowed to talk to them," Wisniewski said. "You could pick some of them out. They wore their Hawaiian shirts."

Wisniewski got her first official recruiting letter from USF. She's also filling out intent forms to Florida State and Florida.

Wisniewski, who isbatting .371 with 10 hits, two doubles, a triple and 12 RBIs, certainly welcomes more exposure in hopes of becoming a Divison Iplayer.

One way might be through the state tournament. The Bucs (4-3) were one run shy of the final four last season after a 1-0 loss to Auburndale.

This year?

"I really love this team," Wisniewski said. "I really think we could be something special."

Contact Izzy Gould at 813 909-4612 or sportsjournalist@gmail.com

[Last modified March 3, 2006, 02:15:34]