This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/29/2016 12:00 AMNorth Branford softball coach Nick DeLizio could tell that Meghan Golia was a ballplayer from the second she arrived on the team. Meghan joined the T-Birds alongside her twin sister Lindsay and, based on how Meghan carried herself and the passion she displayed for the game, DeLizio knew that she came from a softball family.
“We’ve been playing basically all our lives. We were involved in the Little League, All-Stars, and travel. My dad is a big fan of baseball and softball, so he’s pushed us into the sport,” says Meghan. “I’m actually really thankful we got involved so early. It allowed us to meet all the people we play with now. That helps out the team now with chemistry.”
Meghan grew up playing second base, but moved to the outfield once she got to the high school. The adjustment was a smooth one for Meghan, who enjoys playing out there and has a knack for making spectacular defensive plays.
“In the outfield, you have to make long throws and focus on pop flies,” Meghan says. “My freshman year, I would practice really hard in the backyard. My dad would hit me fly balls and, at practice, coaches are good about getting work in. That made the transition a lot easier.”
Meghan has used some outside coaching at USA Elite Training in Cheshire to refine her mechanics and boost her confidence. Meghan believes that the time she’s spent there has complemented what she’s learned at North Branford to improve her abilities at the plate. As a result, Meghan has morphed into one of the Thunderbirds’ best clutch hitters who’s earned a spot in the middle of their batting order.
“I’ve worked hard on my hitting. Through my lessons and practicing really hard with Coach DeLizio has really improved my approach and staying back on the ball. I had a tendency to lunge, which would make me pop out or ground out. I’m now relaxing and focusing on hitting the ball,” says Meghan. “I enjoy the pressure situations. Obviously, it’s stressful, but that’s why I play the game. I enjoy the game and getting the right pitch to hit.”
As talented as she is, Meghan’s mentality on the softball field is what sticks out the most to Coach DeLizio, who feels that Meghan has elevated her game after helping North Branford win the Shoreline Conference Tournament title last spring.
“I’ve seen the competitive nature grow. You can see she wants to win. Last year, I saw that competitiveness and the will and wanting to win,” says DeLizio. “She puts the team first, so that plays a huge role in how she plays. The younger girls feed off of that. She can have the best or worst game, but as long as the team wins, that’s her focus. She sees the big picture and that’s a quality that makes a good player a special player.”
Last year, Meghan hit .400, scored 24 runs, and produced 19 RBI. Through the first nine games of her current senior season, Meghan is hitting at a .346 clip with nine runs scored and five RBI. The individual numbers aren’t important to Meghan, though, as long as her team keeps winning. So far, the T-Birds have done nothing but win this spring as they currently own a record of 9-0.
“To me, the team is everything. Teamwork and chemistry is what makes or breaks a team. Last year, we were close and, this year, that closeness has led to success,” says Meghan. “Without teamwork, you can’t be successful. I think just that mindset of bringing everyone together has made me a good leader because I know we have to work together and have the same goals and attitude. Without the team we had, I don’t think I’d be this successful. If they get a hit, I get a hit. It carries over. The team leads to individual success. I learned that it’s basically teamwork, hard work, and dedication. The coaches pushed us to come together for one goal.”
Meghan also enjoys taking the field every day with her sister. Lindsay Golia is a pitcher for North Branford and Meghan knows the two share a special bond while Meghan backs her up on every pitch.
“It’s awesome. She’s normally on the mound, so when I’m in center, I can tell what she’s thinking,” Meghan says. “It’s nice always having someone on the field where we know what each other is thinking.”