West Aurora junior Gracie Del Toro may have started her recruiting process late, but once she was all in, she made quick work of it. Fitting, since that describes best how she plays the game.
A speedster in the outfield, Del Toro is making the game look as easy as 1-2-3.
It also has led to what’s fast become a family tradition as she announced on March 2 her commitment to continue her softball career at Division I Tennessee Martin.
“They said they really wanted that triple threat and that’s how they view me, that I can do bunting, slapping and swinging away,” Del Toro said of the offer she received from coach Chelsea Farmer and Farmer’s husband Daniel, her assistant coach.
“It was like, ‘We want you to make an impact right away.’ I’d rather not have to sit and wait for my turn, so I’m going to work hard because I want that starting spot.”
It’s what she did at the start in high school, joining two other freshman at that time — infielder Bella Marzullo and catcher/infielder Macie Spenny — as early varsity contributors.
Del Toro and Co. made quick work Thursday when they played host to Upstate Eight Conference rival Elgin, pounding out 14 hits in an 18-0 victory that took just three-and-a-half innings.
Del Toro provided a spark with three hits, three runs, an RBI and what is becoming a trademark diving catch for West Aurora (4-7, 2-1).
Junior first baseman Brooke Bieker added two doubles and five RBIs to highlight a 15-run third inning that featured two doubles and three RBIs from sophomore left fielder McKenzie Nelson-Wilmes and the third home run of the season by Spenny.
Senior third baseman Sofia Dekarske singled as the lone hit for Elgin (0-5, 0-2).
“I went back and forth with what I wanted to do when it came to college,” Del Toro said. “I always thought I’d want to play, but at times I’d think I’d just want to live, have that college lifestyle.”
She wasn’t consistent reaching out to colleges until she turned 15.
“This past summer, I knew I had to contact as many coaches as I could,” she said. “Get my name out there.”
Gracie’s dad, Ricky, played soccer and her mom, Whitnie, played softball, both at IUPUI. Her older sister, Olivia, was a freshman soccer player this past season at James Madison in Virginia.
“My mom just loves it and has probably been my biggest supporter,” Gracie said. “She started crying when I committed.”
Del Toro also credited help from her Wasco Diamonds coaches. She has carved her own path, too, also playing flag football the past two seasons and earning all-conference honors as a running back as the Blackhawks won a second straight regional championship.
The right-handed Del Toro has made herself into an offensive threat in softball as a left-handed slapper. She uses an interesting split grip on the bat, with her hands about an inch apart.
“I started it last summer,” she said. “I just feel so much more control with my left hand higher.
“It forces me to use the left more, which helps because my right is dominant and wants to do its own thing. It’s just more control for everything.”
Jordan Smith, her hitting coach with the Wasco Diamonds, didn’t object and the results have been good. She’s hitting .405 with 11 RBIs and 11 steals in 11 attempts.
“Center and leadoff are where she was meant to be,” West Aurora coach Randy Hayslett said, noting Del Toro was initially behind all-state players in Keira Hayton and Sara Tarr. “If she gets on base, she’ll soon be at second and Marzullo, who’s batting .600, can knock her in.
“But Gracie is the one who gets everything going. She takes charge in center and helps our corner outfielders. She really doesn’t have an off day. She comes in with energy and a smile on her face.”
