ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SOFTBALLAMERICA.COM
As Softball America grows its coverage at all levels, we continue our recruiting spotlight series with Gaby Mizelle. Mizelle is currently ranked 30th in our 2025 position rankings as the North Carolina native is committed to Virginia Tech. Mizelle is versatile on the field as a power hitter typically in the leadoff position. Her speed and aggressiveness on the basepath, and arm strength at shortstop will immensely help the Hokies’ success.
Name: Gaby Mizelle
Primary Position(s): Shortstop
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Travel Ball Organization: Impact Caymol Premier 18U
What about Virginia Tech did you love the most?
Virginia Tech has been my dream school for the past three years. They have stood out in every aspect that is important to me, starting with the coaching staff and team culture. The coaches create both a winning environment and a family-oriented culture. I have incredible respect for what Coach Pete and Coach Mike have done under their leadership to turn the program around. You can tell the players love it there, they love each other, and they have fun together. I felt that at camps and during my visit. The coaches have also supported my journey for two years, watching games and keeping up with my social media posts. They are great human beings and have taken an interest in learning about my family and getting to know me as a person, not just a player (at camps, during my visit, and since my commitment through texts). I also fell in love with the beautiful campus setting and town. Finally, academics are extremely important to me, and VA Tech gives me the opportunity to play softball at the highest level at a very strong academic institution.
What is your favorite travel ball memory?
The year before last, coach Teo arranged for a tournament in Vegas with a combined 16U and 18U team. I was in the 16U team at the time and we were mixed in as roommates with 18U players. He intentionally wanted to use it as a bonding experience so that we could get to know each other better in a fun environment. It was truly unforgettable. I became really close to players on both teams, we played extremely well while having an absolute blast, and I hit three home runs over the weekend.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from a coach?
While playing for Coach Teo, I’ve learned the importance of a selfless and positive team culture. Our coaches are very intentional about who they recruit because they want to create and preserve their amazing team culture. Before joining the team, players are interviewed and assessed for their character and team values. Coaches also do research and try to ensure that the families are team-oriented and not just about their kid. I’ve been blessed to play for some of the most elite national travel programs and this one has been my favorite and the one that has brought out the very best in me. First off, everyone on the team is a stud and yet everyone is all about playing for each other and helping one another succeed. I can tell that my coaches and teammates have high confidence and belief in my abilities which helps me tremendously because I don’t feel pressure. I am having fun, I’m confident, and I’m loose while playing which translates to positive outcomes on the field. We love each other, we have fun, and we compete at the highest level. We have each other’s backs and encourage each other. Under Coach Teo, playing an intense schedule with rigorous preparation is actually enjoyable and not a chore. I still remember last summer after PGF ended, we didn’t want to say goodbye. We made a point to hang out with each other until the very last possible moment. I am super excited about this summer to be with my girls while we pursue the 2nd PGF National Championship for coach Teo!
How did you get interested in softball?
When I was little, I started playing sports at the YMCA where I met my childhood best friend at the soccer fields. Ava was the goalie and I was our main offensive player. Her parents were impressed with my athleticism and encouraged me to play on her YMCA basketball team that winter. Her dad was the coach, Ava played center and I quickly learned to become our point guard. The next spring, her mom said jokingly, that given how well I played soccer and basketball, she wanted to see what I could do playing softball. As the YMCA softball coach, she recruited me to play with my bestie again and I never looked back. A couple of years after that, we played on our first regional and national teams together when we were 9-11. Our softball journeys took us on different paths for a few years until last fall when she joined my 18U Impact Caymol Premier team. I always say this is so much more than a sport because of the amazing lifelong relationships I have built. It’s special that her HS career (she’s a 2024 grad) will end with one of her first childhood teammates (me) as we both pursue our first PGF National Championship this summer. Ironically, our paths will cross again in college, but next time we’ll be rivals. She will be playing at UVA starting this fall, and I will be at VA Tech in the fall of 2025.
What are your strengths as a player? What are you trying to improve on the most?
One of the things that I am most proud of, which coaches reinforced during the recruiting process, is my consistency and versatility as a player. At the plate, I can hit for power and average. I usually bat lead-off because of my consistent hitting, speed, and ability to hit for power. On defense, I usually play shortstop, but my arm strength (~72-74 overhand velo) allows me to play almost every position on the field. I am also an aggressive baserunner which helps my team score. I have a very strong work ethic and am highly committed to improving all aspects of my game because my ultimate goal is to be dependable and help my team succeed wherever they need me. As an example, I recently joined the Puerto Rican U18 National team. They already had a strong infield and after not playing outfield for years, I started as leadoff and in centerfield. We won a gold medal at the Pan American games earlier this spring and I was a key contributor to our success, making game-changing plays that saved runs by throwing batters out at home and third base. I know that I am not the biggest or flashiest player on the field, but I also know that no one will outwork me. No matter how good of a season I have, I am never complacent and continue to focus on improving many aspects of my game. For example, I know I can always get better at hitting. I work on hitting constantly to make sure I am confident and can attack every type of pitcher. I work on my approach at the plate and my mindset. As I get older, I’ve realized how much the mental aspects affect outcomes. I try to scout who I am facing and work on having a plan that will give me confidence. I take my role as leadoff very seriously because I know that I often set the tone and give confidence to the rest of my teammates batting behind me. In addition, I continue to work on my leadership skills. As a shortstop, you are expected to be vocal and lead the team, especially playing for Coach Moe and Coach Teo. I feel blessed to have been named captain of my high school team at the end of my freshman year and I take that role very seriously. Coach Teo has very high expectations of his shortstops and empowers us to lead the team on the field. To be the most effective leader possible, I work on being more vocal and developing a high softball IQ (which Coach Teo has been amazing at teaching us!).
What player(s) do you look up to the most?
There are so many talented players and role models in this sport, but lately, I have been most impressed with Emma Ritter from VA Tech. In my opinion, she is the definition of a PERFECT leadoff hitter. She leads the team with a ~0.430 BA and 25 stolen bases. She is disciplined at the plate and a very tough out with a 0.493 On-base percentage. Emma is physically strong, fast, and a very consistent gap-to-gap hitter who also happens to have 14 home runs (3rd best on the team). I love watching her play and would love to hit like her as a future Hokie!
What are your favorite hobbies outside of softball?
My late grandma gave me a camera for my birthday years ago and I fell in love with photography. I absolutely love taking pictures, especially action shots, mainly of my younger brother playing baseball, and sunsets.
What excites you the most about playing college softball?
I am very excited about possibly being part of the first VA Tech team to win a National Championship. Surprisingly, Virginia Tech is one of only three Power Five conference schools that have not won an NCAA-recognized team national championship. When I committed to VA Tech, my younger brother shared this with me and stated how cool it would be for me to be part of history. I have a lot of admiration for what Coach Pete and his staff have done to build such a strong softball program in just a couple of years. They have been consistently nationally ranked and impressive to watch these past two years. I am excited about being a Hokie next year and dream of having the opportunity to compete for and hopefully win a World Series.
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