Italy Awaits Middlesex Softball Standout

Summer Ramirez is doing something different this summer.

The Middlesex College sophomore pitcher from South Brunswick accepted an invitation from the Beyond Sports program and will embark on an 11-day tour of Italy playing softball while also touring Milan, Rome and Florence.

Ramirez, along with her mother and older sister, leaves for Italy Saturday, June 15 and comes back June 25. Colts legendary softball coach Jim Muldowney, who passed away last month, told her about the program that brings athletes of different skill levels together to compete against foreign teams across the globe.

“Coach Muldowney texted me saying an organization was interested in me playing in Italy, and I wrote back and said that sounded cool and I would think about it,” said Ramirez. “I talked to my mom and my sister, and they both said ‘you’re doing it.’ This is too good of an opportunity.”

Ramirez, a right-handed pitcher and infielder, went 7-2 for the Colts in the circle this season with a 1.78 ERA. She was second-team All-Region. The Colts finished the season 24-7.

“She is our secret weapon,” said Colts pitching coach Cheryl Kjersgaard.

Ramirez started playing softball when she was eight. She played for three years at South Brunswick High School.

At Middlesex College, she is studying for her psychology degree and expects to graduate in the spring. She doesn’t speak any Italian, but she can’t wait to get there and see the sites, sample the food, and meet her teammates.

“I am really excited,” said Ramirez.