WHEATFIELD —

For Niagara-Wheatfield freshman Ali Gonyea, the game of softball is certainly a release, a respite from the harsh reality of life.

But like in any sport, the ball may not always bounce your way. Although she is admittedly hard on herself, the youngster would be reluctant to lose her cool after making an error or striking out at the plate. The only wisdom she needs is sitting in the stands observing her every move, reminding her to shake it off and give it her best.

That source of inspiration is her younger sister, Olivia, who was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma — a form of bone cancer — this past winter.

“It’s definitely affected not only me, but my family, too,” Gonyea said. “It has been hard, softball is a big help in getting my mind off of it.”

Gonyea would be the first to say that her little sister is the strongest person she knows, which is why she devotes her very best effort every single outing.

“I always remember that she’s looking at me while I’m playing,” she said. “I want to do good for her, that’s for sure.”

The third baseman has undoubtedly been a positive force this season for the Falcons, despite receiving the news of her sister’s diagnosis just a couple months before varsity tryouts.

So far, she has started every game as a ninth grader, but it took her awhile to get acclimated with the varsity level of competition, she said.

“Definitely at first it was a lot of pressure and pretty nerve-racking, but as the year went on everybody kind of took me in,” Gonyea said “So it’s gotten a little bit easier.”

Gonyea’s success as a freshman hasn’t been a surprise to head coach Eric Belter. He watched her play junior varsity as an eighth grader and knew right away she had a legitimate shot of coming in as a starter this season.

“I knew I was going to have an opening at third base this season, so I pretty much had my eyes set on her being the perfect choice for that position and hold it down for the next four years,” Belter said.

Despite having to battle through some minor injuries, Gonyea has turned it on lately, particularly against the Falcons’ Niagara Frontier League opposition. She’s found her stroke, she said, improving on her pitch selection and timing as Wheatfield has stayed perfect through its first nine league games.

Her improvement so far this season isn’t the only thing that excites Belter, however. The tandem of Gonyea and reigning Niagara Gazette Player of the Year Caitlin Attfield manning the left side of the infield for the next couple of years is more than promising for the Falcons, he said.

“To look down the road and have the same two girls on the left side of the field, that really solidifies the lineup,” Belter said. “I definitely see (Gonyea) continuing to get better.”

The coach also added the team has been supportive of Gonyea’s situation, but the way the freshman carries herself on and off the field has inspired the entire team.

“I think she realizes to value all the different opportunities you get, to play a sport and do it at a high level,” Belter said. “She’s a strong kid and to be able to play through this type of situation, I think the team loves her and admires her for it.”

In aid of Olivia and the Gonyea family, a basket auction is being held on June 25 at St. Leo’s Church, 2748 Military Road. For more information, contact Jamie DePetris at 297-4262 or Ernie Eodice at 297-9446.

Ali Gonyea

• SCHOOL: Niagara-Wheatfield

• YEAR: Freshman

• POSITION: Third base 

• COACH ERIC BELTER SAYS: “She’s a strong kid and to be able to play through this type of situation, I think the team loves her and admires her for it.”