Coupeville Sports

Heather Nastali

Softball is a family tradition for the Nastali’s.

Jasmine, Heather and Tamika all have played the sport, with the latter two girls being key members of this year’s Central Whidbey Little League Juniors All-Star squad.

With their help, the Venom went 18-2, crushing teams left and right as they won 17 games by 10 or more runs.

For Heather, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School in the fall, it was the example of one of her sisters that first drew her to the diamond.

“I have been playing softball for five years now,” Nastali said. “I started because I saw my sister Jasmine playing and thought it looked fun.

“I enjoy the feeling when I play my best and we all have a good game.”

Her ability to adapt to whatever position her coaches need her to play has been key to her development as a softball player.

“My strengths are being able to play most of the positions on the field,” Nastali said. “My coaches, Kevin McGranahan and Ron Wright, made a big impact. They helped me to improve my batting and they helped me learn how to play a lot of positions.

“They taught me pitching and to play most infield positions,” she added. “I would like to work on my batting speed.”

Nastali enjoyed the season, as the Venom went 15-0 in the regular season and then swept two games from North Whidbey to win a district title.

“Some highlights are having won all our games this season and winning in districts,” she said. “Also going to state and winning a game there.”

As she enters high school, she plans to diversify her athletic portfolio, possibly adding tennis, basketball and track to softball.

When she’s not competing, Nastali is an avid reader (“I love to read all kinds of books, from mystery and sci-fi, also manga”), listens to a mix of pop and country and enjoys watching criminal case shows.

Her love of reading should come in handy as she hits high school, since she’ll likely be reading about her own athletic exploits for years to come.