Windham eighth grader chosen to play in USA Softball All-American Games

By Matt Pascarella

Windham eighth grader Eliana “Yani” Kostopoulos was the only player selected from Maine to participate in the USA Softball All-American Games; a distinguished tournament that provides exposure to athletes in the U-12 Division and will be played in Oklahoma City from Aug. 10 to Aug. 13. To be selected to play in this tournament is the highest honor a player can receive and means they are considered one of the top athletes in the United States.

Windham eighth grader Eliana 'Yani' 
Kostopoulos has been selected to play in
the USA Softball All-American Games
in the U-12 division in Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma in August.
PHOTO BY GINA KOSTOPOULOS 

“It is an honor to have been offered a roster spot on the Northeast Region 1 Stars,” said Kostopoulos. “I was one of around 150 girls that made our way to our tryout on a snowy February morning in New Hampshire. I’m really excited for this tournament and getting another opportunity to play the game that I love at a higher level.”

It has taken drive and dedication for Kostopoulos to reach this point. She has been challenged this summer moving up with her travel team to U-14 rather than remaining at the U-12 level. It’s important for Kostopoulos to remain mentally tough and to do her best every time she steps onto the field. Softball is a mental game and maintaining a positive attitude is a necessity.

Kostopoulos began playing T-ball at 5 years old and moved up to playing softball at 6 years old, thanks to Portland Little League’s Julie Armstrong who pushed her to move up and play up.

When Kostopoulos was 8, she made her first travel team, the U-10 Lady Mavericks. Her family is a big softball and baseball family, and she would often play catch with a baseball with with her older cousin. Her grandfather used to let her practice with a girls’ All-Star softball team that he coached in Cumberland. The girls were older, but always encouraged Kostopoulos.

“I think I just really fell in love with the sport at a young age,” said Kostopoulos. “My goal is to play college softball and make my family proud.”

The idea of being able to play college ball one day is what keeps Kostopoulos pushing herself and continuing to work hard.

Without softball, she wouldn’t have met some of her best friends and formed bonds. She really loves the sport and loves being on the field with her teammates.

“Yani is a good teammate because she is extremely supportive, and because she makes a great impact on the team,” said Maine Thunder teammate and Sanford freshman Jenna Soucy. “She can do almost everything, she is a great batter and a great first basemen, she’s got a great arm ... she’s tall and she has tons of power at the plate.”

Hermon freshman and Maine Thunder teammate Becca Balmas said that Kostopoulos is an excellent choice to play in the USA All-American Softball Games because of her overall positive attitude and successful mindset. She is an amazing infielder and hitter, and Balmas believes she works so hard to be where she is and deserves this opportunity 100 percent.

It is important to Kostopoulos that she earn her place on this trip, just like she earned a spot in this tournament and she’s working really hard in raising money to help pay for it.

If you’d like to help, you can donate through her mother’s Venmo: @gina-kostopoulos

“It means a lot to me to step foot on the same dirt that the college World Series is played and some of the most prestigious softball players tie up their cleats,” said Eliana Kostopoulos. “I am proud to represent the team and organization of every uniform I wear.”<