Somerset Berkley's Gabriella Nugent finding success, and support, on the softball field
BERKLEY — Gabriella Nugent had no problem loving softball at an early age.
It certainly helps when her mom and aunt are high school state and college national champions in the sport.
"They have both been very supportive of me, whether it is catching for me while I pitch, helping me with my hitting, or giving me tips to help me with the emotional and mental part of the game," Nugent said.
Raffaella (Paparo) Nugent and Daniela (Paparo) Taylor, twin sisters, helped lead the Apponequet softball team to a high school state championship during their senior season in 1992. The Lakers beat Mt. Greylock, 16-3, in the finals.
The Paparo twins then captured a college national championship while playing for Merrimack College in North Andover in 1994.
In 2017, Raffaella was inducted into the Warriors' Hall of Fame.
Now Gabriella is quietly making a name for herself at Somerset Berkley.
Nugent has been one of the catalysts on the Raider squad, which is ranked fifth in the power ranking standings among Massachusetts' Division II teams. SBR has a record of 13-4.
"I am truly honored and excited to be surrounded by such an amazing group of teammates this year," she said. "Everyone continues to make one another better every day, and we are all very supportive of each other. My teammates lift everyone up, including myself with encouraging words."
The Berkley resident has enjoyed a productive sophomore season thus far. She is batting .419 with three home runs, 23 runs batted in, four doubles, and 26 hits through 17 games.
Nugent, who also pitches when she is not playing shortstop, has allowed just eight earned runs in 19 innings. She gave up just 16 hits and has fanned 28 batters.
"I have always enjoyed pitching and playing shortstop," Nugent said. "I want to continue to improve at both positions."
SBR head coach Sally McKinnon said Nugent's play has improved dramatically from last season to this year.
"Gabriella puts 110% into everything she does, both on and off the field," McKinnon said. "She is eager to learn and improve in all aspects of the game."
Nugent said she is grateful for McKinnon's tutoring.
"Coach Sally continues to give me tips when I pitch or play shortstop," she said. "She helped me break down my swing, and become more confident at the plate. She has always reminded me to brush it off, and get the next one, in all aspects of the game whether it be on defense or offense."
Nugent was named an SCC Honorable Mention as a freshman.
She finished the season with a .371 batting average, a .600 slugging percentage, and a .500 on-base percentage.
Nugent had eight singles, three doubles, a triple, and a home run. She led the team with 15 RBI. and scored 12 runs. On the mound, Gabriella pitched 29 innings with a 3.38 ERA. She had 37 strikeouts and 21 walks.
Sports minded family
Besides her mom and aunt's background in softball, Nugent is surrounded by other family members who played sports.
Her dad Michael Nugent played basketball at Merrimack while her oldest sibling Joe Nugent, a former Raider hoop star, plays basketball for Tabor Academy.
Nugent does suit it up for basketball for SBR during the winter months.
"I also enjoy playing basketball," she said.
Nugent started playing softball at a young age in her backyard. She did not join a league until the age of 10. Currently, Nugent plays travel softball for the Somerset Wildcats.
"I am truly lucky to have my mom and aunt on the coaching staff [along with] Coach Kevin, Brian Jacob and Coach Rob Reis," she said. "They have all influenced me through their individual coaching styles to help me become the best version of myself."
Nugent said her teammates and coaches have played a huge role in her confidence on both her travel and high school team.
"That is one aspect of my game that I think has grown, and I owe that all to the people I am surrounded by," she said.
Nugent said she would love the opportunity to play softball in college one day
"I think it would be a great experience," she said.
Her mom and dad attend all her games during the season.
Now it's time for Nugent to create her own course of history. The good news is she has a very good support system to make that happen.
Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @Chezsports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset Berkley softball's Gabriella Nugent excelling as sophomore
