At Line Drive, we frequently look at teams across the country and what makes them successful both from a top-down and a bottom-up perspective.

Today, we head to the Peach State to learn more about an 18U team that emphasizes individual player growth which then leads to success on the field as evidenced by three Top 10 finishes at club tournaments nationwide this summer.

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Impact Gold GA 18U: Coach & Team Philosophies

Impact Gold 08 GA (“IG08GA”) is coached by Sandy Sciascia-Zirger, Alex Marrero and Jason Wade and is based in Duluth, Ga. with players from multiple states.

This team was started when the original group of players were about seven years old… and today six of the current players are from that initial team.

“That is a testament to the coaches, the players and the families and their belief in each other,” says Coach Wade. “It is truly something special.”

Coach Sciascia-Zirger, a former college athlete, says of the team’s philosophy:

“We want nothing more than to teach the girls how to compete and how to be successful—in not just softball, but in life.”

She and Coach Marrero have been together since the launch of the team and, says Wade:

“They have become not only the best of friends but family.”

Each of the assistants has specific roles to help the team succeed: Marrero, described by her fellow coaches as “a student of the game,” helps tremendously behind the scenes.”

Wade, who led his own team under the Mojo banner for years, “brings immense knowledge of the game and recruiting capabilities to help the remaining uncommitted players.”

All agree on one core philosophy, that the team’s foundation be built on integrity and high character… traits sometimes not apparent in the competitive world of sports.

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History of the Team

In 2021, Sciascia-Zirger decided to join the Impact Gold organization and after a phone call with the head of Impact Gold, Jazz Jackson Vesely, she knew it would be a great fit for her team.

Although the team’s name changed, the overall goals and team culture did not.

“This team was established based on fundamentals, teamwork, commitment, and the love of the game,” explains Wade. “IG08GA does not emphasize winning but, instead, learning and growing as players and young women. Luckily, winning has just come with it.”

Today, the focus of the coaching staff is to have the Impact Gold compete in showcases where they’ll be scouted by a range of coaches from D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and Juco programs so that the players could be exposed to all levels and find the best fit for them.

And the winning has taken place and the players have gotten noticed.

This summer, the IG08GA team:

• finished tied for 9^thout of 60 at Show Me the Money,
• took 1^st at the Southern Showcase,
• made the Top 32 out of 240 at Colorado Sparkler and
• placed in the Top 4 out of 42 at Triple Crown Southeast Nationals.

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Meet the Team

Coaches:

• Head Coach: Sandy Sciascia-Zirger, Ph.D.
• Coach: Alex Marrero
• Coach: Jason Wade

Players:

Here’s a closer look at each of the player who, per Coach Wade, “make this team so special!” Comments from the coaching staff…

Kaylie Zirger, 2026, MIF/RHP – Western Carolina University commit
Kaylie is a true multi-sport athlete who has excelled playing softball and basketball year-round for many years.  She is a dominant middle infielder with exceptional range and one of the highest softball IQs there is.  Kaylie has played for us since she was seven years old and has developed into one of our leaders and certainly one of the top shortstops in her class.  Although an amazing middle infielder, she can also dominate from the circle.  Along with her defensive skills, Kaylie is a terrific offensive player known for her gap-to-gap line drive hits.  Kaylie – along with her teammate Ronnie Wade – will be joining the Southern Conference next fall as she will be pursuing her athletic and academic career at Western Carolina University.

Ronnie Wade, 2026, OF/1B – Mercer University commit
We are welcoming Ronnie back to our team with open arms after she aged out of our team a few years back.  We are thrilled to have this talented outfielder back on our roster.  Ronnie has an arm that is unrivaled and she will gun you out from anywhere in the grass.  Her speed combined with her skills from the left side of the plate are guaranteed to cause chaos and land her on base.  Ronnie plays all three positions in the grass and does not disappoint thanks to her speed and her arm strength.  Ronnie, like teammate Kaylie Zirger, will be strengthening the SoCon next fall.  She is taking her talents to Mercer University.

Giulia Torres, 2026, 3B/C/SS
Giulia not only brings talent to the team but also tons of happiness.  She has been terrific for us at third base but also doesn’t skip a beat when asked to play shortstop or catcher.  Giulia is a true team player and always puts the team ahead of herself.  She is a joy to coach, and her teammates love her.  Offensively, she is straight power from the plate.  She has come up big for us over the years hitting a bomb just when we needed it.  Giulia is looking for her future home and is sure to make some team very happy.

Skylar Campbell, 2026, 1B/2B
Skylar is one of the six current players that has been with the team since she was seven years old.  She is a hard worker who started out as a first baseman only and developed into a solid second baseman as well.  Skylar is not the tallest at first but her ability to make her teammates look good is huge.  Having Skylar on the right side of the field gives us confidence as we know she will get the job done.  She has consistently been a force at the plate as she can hit a gap or lay down the perfect bunt.  After a tough injury, Skylar has decided to forego playing at the next level and focus on her academics.

Addison Simpson, 2026, OF
Addison has been with us a few years and had a huge impact in the outfield.  We pride ourselves on having an outfield that helps make our pitchers’ jobs easier and Addison has done exactly that.  She can lock down the right side or the left side and takes pride in her job.  Addison handles pressure well and steps up to any challenge.  Offensively, she wants to be the one with the bat in her hand when the game is on the line and her teammates love and trust her.  Next year Addison will set her glove aside and focus on Nursing school.

Saniya Simmons, 2026, OF/UT
If you want to talk about speed, then we have to talk about Saniya (Niya).  Another original baller to our team from back in the day, Niya has remained a fixture for our team in the outfield.  She is often roaming centerfield but enjoys playing any of the outfield positions.  Runners learn quickly not to take extra bases on Niya.  She is also a true utility player who can catch or play the middle infield as well.  To take advantage of her speed, Niya learned to hit from the left side years ago and has become a legit triple threat.  She has a few offers with some visits still to go before her future will officially be determined.  We can’t wait to watch her at the next level.

Maggie Maloney, 2026, C/CIF
Another original baller, we have been honored to have Maggie on this team all these years.  She is the hardest worker on the team and is also dependable and trusted by her teammates on offense and defense.  Maggie is a strong catcher who loves her job and wants to be there for her pitchers.  She has a cannon for an arm and loves the opportunity to throw out a runner.  A line drive hitter mixed in with some bombs, Maggie gets it done at the plate.  She is also a member of her school’s track and field team where she excels at shot put.  Maggie has postponed an offer to one of her top schools to pursue her goal of getting accepted to West Point and serve our country.  We are so proud of her!

Rylee Jasper, 2027, RHP – Georgia Gwinnett College commit
Rylee is a spin master on the mound, and she is a pure joy to watch in the circle.  Rylee is unfazed and, no matter the circumstance when you watch her play, you will always think she is winning.  Rylee trusts her defense and because of that is not afraid to throw any pitch at any time.  We love her confidence in herself and in her teammates.  Rylee’s teammates love to play defense behind her and will do anything to help her excel.  And what’s better than a pitcher that can pitch?  A pitcher that can hit and Rylee is exactly that.  She also plays volleyball for her high school.  You will find her in a few years at her future home of Georgia Gwinnett College along with current teammate Isa Marrero.

Isanyeliz Marrero, 2027, MIF/OF – Georgia Gwinnett College commit
Isanyeliz (Isa) is a top-notch leadoff who opposing teams hate to face.  She has unrivaled bat control and finds a way on base with a slap, bunt or power hit…and then straight speed.  We love to watch her at the top of our line-up because Isa’s speed not only helps on offensive but is an asset as a middle infielder.  She can chase down most hits to keep them in the dirt.  Isa has also developed into a strong outfielder where her speed helps her cover a lot of grass.  Isa started playing flag football in high school and, as you can imagine, her speed has helped her be great there as well.  And, oh yeah, Isa is another one of our original players since she was age seven so we have loved watching her develop over the years.  Along with teammate Rylee Jasper, Isa will follow her dreams and play at the next level at Georgia Gwinnett College.

Chelsea Lewis, 2027, OF/UT
Chelsea is a 5-foot-10 athlete that is not only built like a high-level player but also performs as a high-level player.  She is yet another one of our original players and so she’s been with us for about 10 years. Chelsea is another one of our multi-sport athletes (softball, basketball, flag football).  She was originally a first baseman due to her height but as she grew into her body it became clear her athleticism could be used all over the field.  Chelsea is an exceptional outfielder who can play any of the three positions there and she loves to steal hits from the opponent.  Offensively, Chelsea is unstoppable.  Between her height and her swing the ball just goes…and goes…and goes.  Once on base, Chelsea uses her speed to get into scoring position quickly.  There is lots of interest in this 2027 and we are excited to see where she lands… stay tuned.

Chloe Cunningham, 2027, OF/MIF
Chloe came to us as a middle infielder but it quickly became clear that with her arm strength she could also help us in the outfield so Chloe splits time between middle infield and the outfield and is happy to do whatever the team needs to win.  She is also a strong offensive player who consistently gets the base hit due her strength and then puts all of her focus and energy into scoring.  Chloe is a great team player who never makes the game about her.  She is an excellent 2027 looking for her next home and is going to be a steal for whatever team gets her.

Charlie Smith, 2027, RHP
Charlie is a 5-foot-10 right-handed pitcher with an arsenal of pitches.  She enjoys throwing all of her pitches but her change-up is her favorite – and ours too!  As good as she is, Charlie still hasn’t maxed out her limits.  She continues to get better and stronger and faster with each outing and we are excited about her future.  Charlie has been dominant in high school ball and we can’t wait to get on the field with her this Fall.  She also has a big swing that can do some damage.  This 2027 grad has received some early interest and we look forward to helping her reach her goal of playing college ball.

Brenna Bagley, 2027, RHP
Brenna is a newcomer to our team and is another two-sport athlete that excels at volleyball and softball.  She is a right-handed pitcher who goes to school at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn. along with teammates Rylee Jasper and Chloe Cunningham.  Brenna is a force in the circle and loves any opportunity to compete.  She is a confident pitcher that focuses on spin and placement and keeps her team in every game.  Although currently leaning towards volleyball, Brenna’s future is unknown but whatever and wherever she plays, she will make things happen.