Photography by Steve Buchanan
Olivia Christopher had a difficult decision to make of her softball future: continue to play for the Bayside Breeze or join TNT Delaware. Christopher, a senior at Colonel Richardson High School, competed for the Breeze for eight years. That made it tough to consider leaving the team, along with the fact that her father Scott coached and founded the team that he called a “family” all those years.
“I have played on the team since I was nine years old with my two best friends,” she says. But nationally-ranked TNT Delaware offered more travel opportunities and the chance to be seen by many college coaches.
Christopher decided to go with TNT Delaware since she’s wanted to play college softball for as long as she can remember. “I realized if I just stayed around here, I wouldn’t be able to get in front of college coaches,” she says of the Caroline County team. “I don’t think there would be as great an opportunity (to play college softball). TNT Delaware did a really good job of advertising us to college coaches. It’s been one of the best decisions I have made.”
Christopher’s skills blossomed as she raised her profile. TNT Delaware played in the United Softball Association 18U Nationals in Oklahoma City in July, and throughout the mid-Atlantic region for the fall and stretches of the summer.
Christopher joined the team in September of last year. “It’s the highest level of play before you get to college,” says Christopher, who plays primarily shortstop and second base for the Delaware team and catcher for Colonel Richardson, where she is one of the leading scorers on the soccer team as well.
The 5-foot-3 Christopher pointed out that both her offense and defense improved with TNT Delaware. She became a more dangerous hitter. “I definitely have gotten better because I am seeing faster pitching,” Christopher says. “Pitch selection is very important and I have gotten better at that. I am just more confident that I am going to have a good at-bat.”
The bottom line: Christopher has received interest from colleges. The two schools showing the most interest are Division I Saint Peters in Jersey City, New Jersey, and Division III University of Scranton. Christopher, a Federalsburg resident, prefers Saint Peters. She visited the school twice.
“The coaches are amazing,” says Christopher, who carries a 4.1 weighted grade-point average. “And I like New York City.”
Scott Christopher says Olivia’s dedication to working out—starting in April of 2021 at Pure Fitness in Seaford, Delaware—helped raise the level of her play. She put on a lot of muscle, which impacted her game in the field and at the plate.
“She went to the gym religiously, and really started building strength and power in her lower half and core,” he says. “It made her explosive hitting and throwing. She went from being an average, talented softball player on a local team to a player with an above-average skill set on a nationally-ranked team.”
Olivia is a valuable player for the Colonel Richardson varsity softball team, too. Christopher showed her “team-first attitude” by switching to catcher because of a team need. Covid wiped out her freshman season, but she ended up starting behind the plate as both a sophomore and junior.
Christopher gave the team a boost defensively, throwing out 50 percent of base runners attempting to steal. Christopher also makes an impact offensively, hitting .375 with an on-base percentage of .410. She improved as a junior, batting .390 with a .540 on-base percentage.
“She took a leadership role this year as a catcher and really helped us out,” Colonel Richardson Softball Coach Brett Ireland says. “She can play multiple positions. She can catch, play second base, and in the outfield. She can play almost anywhere.”
Do you have a local athlete to nominate? Send What's Up? an email to editor@whatsupmag.com.
