Page 32 - Griffin Connection 2020

The reigning Gatorade New Jersey anyone on weekends and having so room, so classes are not too bad.”
Softball Player of the Year had an much downtime. It’s been a while
incredible junior season to lead since I’ve had nothing to do during One positive that has come
Donovan Catholic to a 24-1 record the spring and it’s even harder that from having to stay home: “I've
and the NJSIAA Tournament of it’s not by choice. been spending a lot more time with
Champions title. Gaskins batted my family. Softball is a year-round
.682 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI “I’ve also had to come to terms that sport and sometimes I’m not home
and 46 runs scored to go along with I likely won’t be playing my final for a while, so having all this time
a .720 on-base percentage and a year of high school sports. My with them, especially before
1.637 slugging percentage. She is a teammates and I worked extremely college, is a positive.
two-time NJ.com New Jersey hard the past three years and to
Softball Player of the Year, as well. just not have that final year was Favorite stay-at-home activity:
As a sophomore, Gaskins hit .602 hard to accept. Not only that, but “I have been baking non-stop. My
with 50 hits, 18 home runs, 67 RBI, not being able to see the friends mom used to bake all the time and
45 runs, 10 doubles and 14 walks. I didn’t meet through softball is now that I’m not as busy I just can’t
Despite missing most of her fresh- difficult. I don’t get to see the peo- help but make something.
man year because of an injury, ple that made the past four years
Gaskins has 37 home Coach’s corner:
runs, 129 RBI and 108 “Karina is one of the
runs for her career. most talented players I
have had the privilege
Other sports: “None. to coach. What makes
Once I found softball I her stand out from other
knew that it was the only players is her confidence.
sport I wanted to play. She also has an out-
So, I just focus on soft- standing ability to
ball year-round.” remain calm, cool and
31 collected in high-pres-
College plans: Signed sure situations. Since
to the University of Notre her freshman year,
Dame Karina has had a
confidence you typically
How are you staying in Photo by Vickie Hay. Artwork by Steve Meyer/Townsquare Media NJ. do not see in younger
shape/practicing your players. I believe her
sport: “My parents, brother and I of high school fun and soon we’ll confidence comes from her work
went to the local park a few times all be going off to college and we ethic and overall ability. Karina pos-
so I could hit on a field and throw. don’t know when we’ll see each sesses unbelievable strength. The
Now that parks are closed, I hit in other next. As a senior, we also strength and her work ethic have
my backyard and still continue to aren’t sure if we’ll have graduation made her an excellent hitter (as
throw. My family has started to bike or prom. I think that just having so seen in the statistics she has put
ride often as well as going on the many things up in the air right now up in the
treadmill for cardio and I do a lot of is making this difficult. previous three years). Let's not
bodyweight workouts.” forget her ability as a fielder (1B).
“Sometimes, you don’t realize how Lastly, her ability to read pitchers
Hardest part of being out of important something is to you until and make in-game adjustments is
school/sports: “The hardest part it gets taken away and I feel as phenomenal.” – Donovan Catholic
is having to get used to not seeing though that is what happened. head coach Debbie Schwartz.
my friends every day. I’ve known Online school is not too bad, just
some of my teammates since sev- different. My teachers have been Managing editor Bob Badders can
enth grade and I was used to being very understanding that it is harder be reached at bob.badders@town-
with them 24/7. It’s hard to not see to learn online than in a class- squaremedia.com.

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