Powering Providence
Fueled by her faith, Abilene Christian recruit Gianna Russo lifts Celtics past Evergreen Park
Providence senior Gianna Russo already knew she was the GCAC Red Player of the Year when coach Jim Holba announced it to the team.
What she didn’t know? It was determined through a vote by the other coaches in the conference. That bit of news brought a rise in emotion.
“That honestly makes me feel really proud of myself,” Russo said. “I’ve been working really hard. But honestly, the honor goes to God.
“God is the one who helped me get this far with softball. I’ve learned that once you get up there, it’s as easy to get down there too. God has helped me through everything.”
Her all-everything talent was on full display Tuesday in a 7-0 nonconference victory over host Evergreen Park.
Russo hit two home runs and a sacrifice fly and drove in four runs for the Celtics (21-8). Kailee O’Sullivan added a homer, while junior right-hander Kaylinn Kundrat (8-5) struck out six and tossed a three-hit shutout.
Nicole Reynolds had two hits for Evergreen Park (21-3-1).
Russo’s homers were her eighth and ninth of the season. She’s batting .489 with 48 RBIs. In conference play she hit an eye-popping .620.
The coaches knew what they were doing.
“My senior season has been a superfun experience,” Russo said. “I’ve been working all winter to get to where I am.
“I just wanted to come out with a really good bang for my final year. So far it’s been going pretty well for me.”
It was the second time this season Russo hit two home runs in a game. She had two shots to left field against St. Laurence.
On Tuesday she hit one to center field. The other was an opposite-field moonshot to right.
“It’s been a while since I’ve hit one to right field,” Russo said. “Usually, I’m a center- or leftfield home-run hitter, so it was probably the coolest thing hitting a right-field one.”
Steady at third base. Clutch with runners on base. Holba called Russo a “natural softball player.”
“Gianna has been a great leader,” Holba said. “She has been a staple at third base and catching. She’s been in the
middle of the lineup all season and hasn’t left too many stranded in scoring position.
“She just loves the game of softball. She’s a hard worker. She’s a very positive person and a great teammate.”
Russo is taking her softball career — and her faith — to Abilene Christian in Texas.
“They were so awesome,” Russo said. “My family and I, we were looking for the best private Christian colleges, and Abilene was one of them.
“We sent them highlight reels and they immediately hit us back. When I got on campus, they really rolled out the red carpet. I just thought it was an amazing experience to have God help me through that.”
Kundrat’s shutout was the first of a high school
career that didn’t get started until this season. She missed out as a freshman due to the pandemic and had to sit out as a sophomore after transferring to Providence from Lockport.
“I waited a long time to play softball in high school,” Kundrat said. “It was really tough, but I knew they would give me every opportunity I could have at Providence.”
Kundrat was dominant at times, retiring the side in
order in three innings, but she also was brilliant pitching out of jams. In all, she stranded eight runners.
“Kaylinn has progressed really well this season,” Holba said. “We’ve used her a lot. She’s had her moments and she’s had her struggles. This was one of her better days.
“We’ve asked her to be more efficient. For her first year playing, she’s been a great surprise and a great No. 1 for us.”