Spring Softball has arrived! This year, there are both new and old faces when it comes to our coaching staff. Our girls are getting ready for their upcoming games, so we should know who is going to be prepping them.

This year, we have two coaches for each team: 3 returning coaches and 1 brand new coach (plus a new addition to our school staff as well). Let’s meet the Girls Softball Coaches! From JV, I interviewed Ms. Cleys/Coach Cleys and Coach Orozco/Coach O. From Varsity, I interviewed Coach T and Coach Louie.

JV Coaches

#1 Marco Orozco 

A little background information on Mr. Orozco is that he is a school counselor at EPHS. It is his 5th year  in education, but his first year as a school counselor. He is engaged and has a cat named Dakota. Mr. O is very chill, which matches the vibes of the JV team. He makes the girls feel comfortable by having an easy going presence. He is a very friendly person who is definitely very bright.

I interviewed Mr. Orozco and these are his responses:

• What is your favorite thing about coaching softball?

“I would say working with the athletes and seeing them grow and thrive in a different environment.” 

• What do you think is the hardest thing about being a coach? 

“Well, I haven’t had much experience yet since it’s my first year coaching, but, so far, I would say figuring out who I am as a coach and how I can best fit in with the team.” 

• How do you think the upcoming season will go?                 

“I’m optimistic that it will go well, but I am concerned about games being canceled due to the weather. I think as long as the athletes are competitive and having fun, it will be a positive season.”

• Do you ever regret becoming a coach?

“No, I don’t regret becoming a coach, but it is definitely a significant time commitment and requires giving up a lot of personal time.”

• What is the biggest goal you have for the team this year? 

“My biggest goal is that all the athletes enjoy playing softball and are excited to continue in the sport for the coming years, as I would like to see softball grow and see more athletes compete.”

#2 Vanessa Cleys

Ms. Cleys is a history teacher at EPHS, and she is loved by many. Many students really enjoy her class along with the energy she brings to the field. She has been coaching softball for 5 years, but she’s been a coach of other sports at other schools for about 6 years. She has coached basketball, tennis, and flag football. 

I asked Ms. Cleys the same questions and here are her responses: 

• What is your favorite thing about coaching softball?

“My favorite thing about coaching softball is that I get to know more students who I don’t normally teach and get to develop better relationships with students more than just as a teacher and I like that aspect.” 

• What do you think is the hardest part about being a coach?

“The hardest part of being a coach is firstly the time commitment. It is a lot of time in addition to being a teacher. Secondly, I think it’s really challenging sometimes to keep the girls feeling motivated and feeling supported when the team might not be doing great, so keeping a positive attitude can sometimes be challenging.” 

• How do you think the upcoming season will go?

I think the upcoming season is going to be great. The team seems to have a lot of talent, and I think if they can all continuously stay positive and play as a team they’re going to do really well!”

• Do you ever regret becoming a coach?

“No, I do not regret becoming a coach. I always really enjoy my time with the girls.”

• What is your biggest goal for the team this year?

“My biggest goal is to continue to grow the program and make sure that girls improve their skills and want to come back next year and keep playing.” 

Varsity Coaches

#1. Louis Ingratta 

Coach Louie is a K-5 teacher at John Mills. He has been a teacher for 12 years now. He started as a PE teacher for his first 7 years, then he transitioned into STEAM. He is married and has 2 daughters: Sophie (5) and Delfina (6). They enjoy hanging out with their dog, Ellie. They also love vacationing to Disney World every summer. Coach Louie is a very energetic person and a great guy to be around, especially on the field. He has been coaching softball for over 15 years, going back to volunteering while in college for various clubs to now coaching for EPHS.

I interviewed Coach Louis with the same questions and here are his responses: 

• What is your favorite thing about coaching softball? 

“Softball is a fun sport because it is fast paced. I really enjoy the strategy aspect as well. My favorite thing about coaching softball is watching and helping foster the team chemistry. There is nothing like it in any other sport.” 

• What do you think is the hardest thing about being a coach?

“Keeping the same energy from day 1 through the end of the season. A season can become a grind. Remembering the purpose helps overcome the drag!”

• How do you think the upcoming season will go? 

“I feel we will be competitive. Every year we should strive as a team to outperform the team from the previous year. That is what I hope we accomplish this season.”

• Do you ever regret becoming a coach? 

“Never. I have been involved in some type of coaching since I was 17. I enjoy sports and helping others find joy in competition.”

• What is the biggest goal you have for the team this year?

“A goal of mine anytime I coach is to help athletes enjoy what they do.”

#2. Angelo Tsagalis

Coach T works at the middle school and previously worked at the high school. He’s been working at EP for 30 years now and has been coaching softball for 32 years! He also coaches wrestling and football. This man does it all. Not only does he handle a bunch of students, he has a few kids of his own. They were both D1 athletes in softball and football. He has been married to Mrs.T for 30 years! Coach T is an intense coach but can be a softy at times (when you really get to know him). All in all, most people like Coach T.

I interviewed Coach T with the same questions as the previous coaches and here were his responses:

• What is your favorite thing about coaching softball?

“Getting the athletes to work together to succeed.”

• What do you think is the hardest thing about being a coach?

“Getting the athletes to work together to succeed.” 

• How do you think the upcoming season will go? 

“We should be solid. We have new players at the Varsity level who will be counted on. I feel that as long as we come together, we will be good.”

•  Do you ever regret becoming a coach? 

“Never.”

• What is the biggest goal you have for the team this year?

“The biggest goal is for them to play as one and to peak at the correct time to make a run during the playoffs.”

After interviewing all of the coaches we can really see that they have high expectations for the girls and really want them to have fun and succeed this year. We can’t wait to see how well the girls do this year. If you’ve the time, be sure to go to a game and show your support!

References:

Louis Ingratta : email

Marco Orozco: email

Angelo Tsagalis: email 

Vanessa Cleys: In person interview