The Alliance Fastpitch proudly announces Julia Ripley from the NEFL as National Player of the Month for her remarkable play in January 2025. Julia, a versatile player for Team Pennsylvania 2011 Madison, excels in multiple positions—3B,P. Her January stats include through 5 innings pitched, she had 7 strikeouts and a 0 ERA.

Julia Ripley’s softball journey begins when she tries cheerleading, basketball, and a few other sports, but nothing quite feels right. Her mom, who has played softball her whole life, encourages her to sign up for her community softball team at the age of 9. After just one practice, Julia knows she’s found her passion. Her team needs a pitcher, so she volunteers to give it a try, and soon begins taking lessons. Her pitching coach, Anna Lauterbach, a former D1 pitcher at 412Fastpitch, plays a huge role in shaping Julia as both a pitcher and a player. Anna challenges and supports her, and Julia credits much of her growth to this mentorship. Julia loves playing softball for many reasons. The sport allows her to see the direct results of her effort and dedication, and she enjoys learning from her amazing Team Pennsylvania coaches who push her to work harder and play smarter. The relationships she’s built with her teammates are also something she cherishes, along with the unforgettable memories and experiences along the way.

One of Julia’s most cherished memories comes from a 2023 tournament in Virginia, one of the first tournaments she plays with her team. Being the youngest player on the team and the only 2030, she’s eager to prove herself to her coaches and teammates. In a tense situation during two rounds of ITB, with the bases loaded and no outs, Julia steps up to the mound. She strikes out the next three batters, allowing no runs to score. This moment boosts her confidence as a pitcher and teaches her that with dedication, she can accomplish anything.

Julia’s favorite player is Jayden Heavener from LSU. Jayden is not only a great pitcher, but she’s also a versatile athlete who excels at hitting and playing defensively in the infield. Julia is inspired by Jayden’s all-around skills and hopes to follow in her footsteps by continuing to pitch while also working on her hitting and playing third base. Outside of softball, Julia enjoys playing volleyball and training in gymnastics. She also loves shopping with her friends and has a fascination with extreme weather, always eager to learn more.

Looking ahead, Julia’s goals are to maintain a 4.0 GPA and stay in advanced classes. She also hopes to find a school that will support her softball journey while helping her achieve her dream of becoming a meteorologist. The Alliance Fastpitch commends Julia Ripley on her well-deserved recognition as Player of the Month, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to the sport and her commitment to personal and athletic growth.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month. To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.