Tinton Falls Student Signs To Play for Pace University
By TOM CARDINALE
 Monmouth Regional High School senior, and Tinton Falls resident, Gina Falcone (center) is joined by her batting and pitching coaches, Matt Passerelle and Jacelyn Peterson (standing) as well as her sister Christina, mom Donna, sister Maria, and guidance counselor Sharon Chunn (seated, left to right) as she signs her National Letter of Intent to play softball for Pace University. The signing took place at Frozen Ropes in Tinton Falls. |
Tinton Falls resident and Monmouth Regional High School senior Gina Falcone has signed a letter of intent to play softball for Pace University in New York.
“Ever since I was little my pitching coach wanted me to play in college,” Falcone said. “She played in college and I always really looked up to her and wanted to be like her.”
Falcone, who has been playing softball since she was seven and pitching since the age of 10, was recruited by a number of teams but chose Pace for a few reasons.
“I liked Pace’s campus and I loved the coach. It really came down to the coach,” she said.
Falcone, who played for the Jersey Shore’s championship team at the Carpenter Cup this summer, said getting the winning hit in the tournament’s title game was one of the biggest highlights of her softball career but she is looking forward to making more at Pace.
“My goal is to start as a freshman, the coach said if I work to get stronger I’d have a chance so that’s what I’m doing now, and just to play well and have fun,” she said.
Donna Falcone, Gina’s mother, said she is extremely proud that her daughter’s dream is finally coming to fruition.
“It’s great. It was really exciting, she’s given up a lot and worked really hard. I’m really proud of her,” she said.
Gina plans to study psychology at Pace but also hopes to keep softball a part of her life for many years.
“I definitely want to be a coach, whether it’s high school or college. I’d love to coach in college,” she said.
Until her coaching career gets started, however, the Setters are hoping she can contribute to a young team that finished the 2007 season with an 18-30 record.
After signing Falcone they have to feel like they’re on the right track.
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