Harrell-Alvarez twins parlay positive energy into production for Vineland softball
VINELAND – There are some differences between fraternal twins Morgan and Megan Harrell-Alvarez.
One is a leadoff hitter, the other bats cleanup.
One has longer hair in a ponytail, the other sports a short, bleached cut.
However, It’s all the things they have in common that turn the sisters into the heartbeat of the Vineland High School softball team, providing plenty of positive vibes to go along with loads of production.
“They’re just two kids who are the best teammates anyone could ask for,” Vineland head coach Mike Reed said. “They're constantly talking, cheering for you. They lift you up. They are the two voices you hear throughout the game and their play has been phenomenal.”
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While smiles rarely leave either of their faces, the twins’ strength was tested last season following the loss of their father. George Alvarez lost his battle with pancreatic cancer during his daughters' junior year.
Softball played a pivotal role for the sisters following their father’s passing. The sport was one of the things that bonded the three together.
“Even though he wasn’t there physically, he was there mentally for us and that made us twice as strong,” Morgan said.
Megan added, “His passing was rough, but I definitely took softball as an escape. It was about having fun with my friends and living life to the fullest. He was definitely my biggest supporter.”
Reed said he knew the twins were going through a lot of hardship and adversity away from the diamond, but said the sisters never lost their “business-like approach" on the field.
“They were still able to focus on the sport and that's one of the amazing things about them,” Reed said. “Because their dad had a love for the sport for them, it was passed on to them and they want to go out and honor him their play.”
While their energy never fails to invigorate the Vineland dugout, it’s the sisters' softball skills that really help speed the pulse of the Fighting Clan, as well as opposing pitchers.
Morgan is an on-base machine at the top of the lineup, possessing the ability to turn her blazing speed into knocks. After batting over .500 as a freshman, she hit .413 last spring. So far this season, she’s batting .545 and has played stellar second base.
“Morgan is an all-tool player,” Reed said. “She can play either of the middle (infield) positions. She can get on with a soft bunt, a slap, or she can drive the ball over the fence too. Getting her on base, it opens up so much for us and kinda changes the dynamic of the game for us.”
Getting more confidence in herself has taken her game to another level, according to Morgan.
“It’s been really key for me,” she said. “My dad always told me I was good, I was great, if I can believe that myself, everyone else will see it too.”
When she isn’t snapping off throws to first base, Morgan often finds herself snapping pictures. During Wednesday’s game, she was taking photos of her teammates in action on the field and on the bench.
“I’m trying to learn photography,” said Morgan, who proudly showed her off-the-field work with the camera to her teammates.
While Megan is a different type of player, she has an identical trait of putting pressure on the opponents. The cleanup hitter is batting .273 with two extra-bases hits and three walks while playing steady defense at the hot corner, a new position for her after playing in the outfield previously for the Fighting Clan.
“Megan is total grit,” Reed said. “She’s not afraid to put her nose right in there and be aggressive. … She’s really solidified the corner for us.”
Both can create havoc on the base paths, too, where they combine speed, aggressiveness and tremendous sliding abilities.
Just don’t ask them who is faster because, not surprisingly, you’ll get different answers.
“Short distances, I’m faster,” Megan said with a laugh. “She’s got long legs, she catches up quick.”
Reed said the Fighting Clan concludes practice with running home to home and the two sisters always go in succession.
“They push each other, they always do,” he said. “Both can fly.”
Game notes
Vineland improved to 3-1, knocking off previously undefeated and No. 5-ranked Gloucester Catholic 13-3 on Wednesday.
Gyanna Porecca had two hits and three RBIs and Luci Day drove in a pair for the Fighting Clan, who recorded six stolen bases in the game.
Gloucester Catholic starter Adrianna Green threw one inning but was pulled after throwing at least four illegal pitches. She was also lifted from the Rams’ last start against Clayton because of the same reason last week.
Brooklyn Carcaci returned to the Gloucester Catholic lineup after missing the first two games with a leg injury. She had a hit and two RBIs.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Harrell-Alvarez twins bring different skills to Vineland softball
