East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano

The Lakewood Ranch softball team has won four straight games after starting the season 3-7. Mustang freshman Bella Toscano has been at the heart of that second-half surge. Toscano, a pitcher/first baseman, is batting .425 with four runs, 17 RBIs, seven doubles and one home run while also serving as one of the team’s three starting pitchers. In a three-game stretch from March 25-28, Toscano went 7-for-9 with three runs, six RBIs and two walks.

When and why did you start playing softball?

I started playing softball when I was 7, and I started playing because both of my parents played baseball and softball. I wanted to follow in their footsteps.

What’s been the most memorable part of this season for you?

Probably when I hit a grand slam against Manatee. 

What is your favorite all-time softball memory?

When I pitched my first no-walk game a little less than a year ago in the fall season. 

Lakewood Ranch has turned it around lately. What’s gone right lately?

We’ve all come together as a team. We’ve started to get timely hits, our defense has been making less errors, and we’re playing better all-around.

What’s it been like playing varsity softball as a freshman?

I was a little bit nervous at first, but after my first game I realized it wasn’t that bad. It kinda felt like travel, just a little bit older.

What’s gone right for you personally this season?

I've worked on my hitting a lot more. I didn’t practice it as much before, but now that it’s starting to get more serious, I’ve been practicing a lot more and staying consistent. That’s helped me a lot in games.

What’s your favorite meal?

Chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A.

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

I really like Gossip Girl. I can watch it for a really long time without getting bored and there’s always something happening.

What’s your go-to warm-up song?

Nokia by Drake. It really hypes me up because it’s a really upbeat song.

If you’re not playing softball, what are you doing?

Hanging out at the beach or with my friends.

What’s been your most humbling moment in softball?

When I was going through a really big slump at the beginning of the season and I was striking out a lot. It was a bad slump and it was really hard to get out of. It was getting to me and making my confidence go down a lot. My mindset was ‘Don’t strike out this time,’ but that changed and I wasn’t in my head as much.

Who is your favorite softball player and why?

Michaela Edenfield (Florida State University player) because she’s a beast. She’s always hitting home runs and she’s a really cool person.

Finish this sentence. Bella Toscano is…

Resilient.