Morsa mother-daughter softball combo was a winning combination for Friends’ Central – Mainline Media News

Friends’ Central softball coach Sharon Morsa and her daughter Maria have been a winning combination for the Phoenix the past few years. (photo courtesy of Sharon Morsa)

Maria Morsa, who recently completed a stellar softball career at Friends’ Central School, has had the same coach for her entire softball career, from tee ball to the travel team PA Chaos 18 in the Mid-Atlantic Tournament in Richmond, Va. July 27-30 – her mother, Sharon Morsa, who played the sport for Villanova University.

“Maria did not have many dolls growing up,” said Sharon. “She had one stuffed animal that went everywhere with her. However, from the early age of 2, she was a climber, and she went from 0-60 as soon as she could walk. She gravitated to balls and bats. I was pitching wiffle balls to her as soon as she could grip the bat — and she connected. She showed tremendous dexterity and hand eye coordination.”

Sharon coached Maria’s first softball team, the Dragonflies 8U squad in Havertown.

“The teacher in me came out and I stressed fundamentals from Day One — and at that age, I wanted to keep the ‘fun’ in fundamentals,” said Sharon. “We won the championship that year, and although it was 10 years ago, parents will occasionally reach out on Facebook and say how that memory and that particular team was one of their favorites.”

Sharon then coached Maria on her first travel team, Delco Force 10U. It was the inaugural season for the 10U team and the squad finished second in the state tournament. The Force merged with Pegasus the next year and played with them for 12U and 14U.

Maria Morsa takes a swing for the Friends’ Central softball team. (photo courtesy of Sharon Morsa)

“At the middle of our last season of 14U, Maria expressed an interest in playing more competitive softball and in wanting to play in college,” said Sharon. “Everything aligned, and a friend, Bob Landow, asked me to assist him at Chaos. We made the move to Chaos and it has been a real game changer. There is a reason that Chaos is widely known around the country as an elite program. Everything about Chaos is geared towards college exposure, college preparation, and they truly care about the girls and their progress.”

At Friends’ Central, the Phoenix won two Friends’ Schools League titles with Sharon as coach and Maria as leading player. Last spring, the Phoenix went undefeated in the Friends’ Schools League and Maria, the shortstop, batted .651 (.750 in league games) with a .717 on-base percentage, 1.833 OPS, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored. She also received first team All-Friends Schools League and All-Main Line softball honors.

Maria said, “Having my mom as coach for my entire softball career (to date) has definitely made my mom and I closer. We are with each for long car rides, long flights, or just going back and forth from school. We are with each other a lot so we can share with each other what I need to work on and what’s working. Having her as my coach is something I wouldn’t ever trade. She tells me how it is which is important when you are playing a sport like softball.”

Likewise, Maria is grateful for the support supplied by her father, Lou.

“He is my biggest cheerleader,” said Maria. “He comes to almost every single game, even when he has to drive hours from Virginia where one of his offices is located. He is someone I can always count on to be there for me. When he is there, he is not only supporting me and my teammates but he is also supporting my mom.”

When Sharon was asked how difficult it has been as a coach to draw the line to look at Maria as another player and not her daughter, she responded, “This is the most challenging part of coaching your child. I vowed that I would never play ‘mommy ball.’ Maria gets that. She sits like every other player. In fact, she probably sits more. It’s also easy to be harder on your own child. When I do step over the line, she will give me a nudge or wink.”

For Sharon, having Maria was like having an extra coach on the field.

“Maria’s softball IQ is super high — she doesn’t let anything slip by her,” said Sharon. “When she does make a physical mistake, or even the rare mental mistake, she quickly realizes it and owns it. Maria also reads her opponents. It’s like she has a sixth sense and knows when they are going to bunt or steal or do something outside the norm.

“Her offensive approach with each at bat is exemplary. She studies pitchers and picks up on their tendencies. However, to me, it’s what she brings to the dugout and her spirit on game days is most impressive. A player on our school team told me that Maria brings out the best in them. This is the highest compliment anyone can give or receive.”

Maria, who was courted by quite a few college softball programs during the fall and spring of her junior year, will have a different softball coach when she plays for Stevenson University next spring.

Maria said, “Stevenson immediately felt like the right fit on my visit in February of my junior year. I appreciate the athletic facilities and how each team is respected. That was something that stood out to me. The coaches and players all welcomed me and that’s when it all clicked. The students really care for their community and enjoy their time there, which reminds me of Friends’ Central.

“I will be majoring in Elementary Education to become a teacher just like my mom. My mom inspired me to become a teacher and to be a college athlete.”