From her very first day of her high school career, Brianna Scapperotti was a key member of the Harrison softball team.
Her play was so impressive in high school that she gained the attention of the local colleges like Manhattanville. The local school recruited the versatile first baseman to play a super utility role in her freshman season.
Scapperotti liked the school's location because it is close to her family and the community that she has grown to love.
"My career at Harrison helped me to prepare for college athletics because it taught me to be ready for anything at any time—so I learned how to play different positions." Scapperotti said. "It helped prepare me for college athletics because I had to keep my grades up to be eligible to play softball, always working hard to keep my position on the team. My dedication to softball increased, just doing whatever I could to become a better player."
The transition from high school to college was hard for Scapperotti to make but her education and on field experience at Harrison helped prepare for her collegiate career.
"As a freshman on the team my role was to work hard, play hard, keep up with my school work, put 100 percent effort into everything," Scapparotti said. "Basically my role was to be a team player."
Scapperotti appeared in all of the team's 38 games and started in 34. As a starter Scapperotti played six different positions but primarily right field and third base. She posted a near perfect fielding percentage and only had two errors.
"Playing college athletics was different from high school sports because games were more competitive, there was more traveling and the game schedules were much different," she said. " Instead of playing 2-3 games a week we played up to 4 days a week and all games were double headers.
"Playing college softball is also different from high school because at Harrison I only played first base, but when I started playing in college I played outfield, first base, third base, second base and catcher," she said.
The Valiants went 18-19-1 but in conference the team was 9-5 and Scapperotti did go through some growing pains. At the plate Scapperotti hit .208, showing some power with two home runs and eight extra base hits.
"College athletics are more competitive and they take a lot more commitment compared to high school athletics " Scapperotti said. "Practices were different because not only did we have our regular infield/outfield and hitting practices but we also had days when we had a conditioning work out and we also had a work out schedule.
"However it is a great experience and I enjoy playing softball for Manhattanville."
Division three schools can not offer athletic scholarships, but Scapperotti is also strong academically and received a scholarship. She is working on a bachelor's degree in marketing.
