who we are

Calm. Confident. Clutch.

Our goal is to help our athletes develop and mature both in the batter’s box and off the field. Softball is 90% mental and 10% physical, so our approach not only focuses on the technical aspects of hitting, but also on the mental side of the game. We want to hone your confidence, focus, and mental approach while also developing your power and fundamentals.

Our founders include a high school coach, travel coach & softball dad, and a former NCAA Division 1 player. We understand the hard work and determination it takes to succeed at any level of the sport, and we are committed to helping you get there.

Meet the Team

  • Marisa Belpedio

    Marisa Belpedio

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS + ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT + MARKETING, FOUNDER

    I grew up in Oak Park, Illinois, where my softball journey began with the Oak Park Huskies and later the Oak Park Windmills. During my time with the Huskies and Windmills, I competed on two ASA/AFA National Championship teams as a corner infielder known for my power hitting. I went on to play at Oak Park and River Forest High School before continuing my career at Western Michigan University as a Division I softball player.

    My freshman year of college brought one of the most challenging moments of my athletic career when I suffered a torn ACL and fractured femur. What followed became one of the most formative periods of my life. Navigating the physical recovery while learning how to manage the mental and emotional challenges that came with my athletic journey taught me lessons about resilience, identity, confidence, and perseverance that I carry with me today. The setbacks, mistakes, and obstacles I experienced ultimately shaped the way I see athlete development and the kind of coach I strive to be.

    As the founder of Clutch, I believe development extends far beyond mechanics and performance. My mission is to help young women build softball IQ, confidence, emotional intelligence, mental toughness, and the ability to handle pressure, failure, and adversity. I want every athlete who comes through Clutch to become not only a better softball player, but a strong, confident, and independent young woman who knows how to navigate challenges and excel both on and off the field.

    Outside of Clutch, I am a small business owner and entrepreneur passionate about building something meaningful for the next generation of athletes. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, spending time with my pup King, competing in basketball, cooking, and watching movies on the couch.

  • Haley Morelli

    Haley Morelli

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR

    I've dedicated my life to softball since the beginning at Mundelein High School, where I earned multiple All-Conference and All-Area honors, before continuing my career at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. There, I helped my team win four conference tournament championships and make four NCAA Tournament appearances. As a senior, I was honored to be named the 2017 WIAC Position Player of the Year and earn All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors.

    Coaching has become my greatest passion. I've coached with Illinois Impact and have been on the Ridgewood High School coaching staff since 2017, serving as head coach since 2023. I'm excited to join Clutch Hitting and help athletes build confidence, develop their skills, and grow into the best versions of themselves.

    Outside of Clutch, I'm a school social worker who loves spending time with my dog, Ernie (named after Ernie Banks), thrifting, sewing, reading, cheering on the Cubs, and discovering great restaurants.

  • Michaela Power

    Michaela Power

    HITTING / PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

    I’ve been playing softball for 10 years and have had the opportunity to compete at a high level throughout my career. I attended Taft High School, where I was a four-year varsity starter, playing third base and pitcher.

    During my time at Taft, I set the all-time hits record (205) and the all-time strikeouts record (375). I was honored to be named CPL Player of the Year my junior and senior seasons, and Co-Pitcher of the Year during my senior year. I was also selected as an All-City player three out of four years and earned Second Team All-State honors twice.

    I played travel softball with the Orland Park Sparks and am excited to continue my academic and athletic career at Northern Illinois University, where I will compete at the Division I level while pursuing a degree in nursing.

    Outside of softball, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working out, hiking, and going to concerts and festivals. I’m passionate about the game and excited to help develop the next generation of athletes through Clutch.

  • Ashley Ellevog

    Ashley Ellevog

    HITTING / CATCHING INSTRUCTOR

    I recently graduated from Amundsen High School, where I was a catcher and utility player. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to catch some of the top pitchers in Illinois while also competing with the Chicago Cheetahs under coaches Megan Coronado and Mary Connolly. This fall, I'll continue my softball career at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where I'll be playing Division I softball while studying Kinesiology with a focus on biomechanics and psychology.

    During my time at Amundsen, I consistently led my team in offensive categories including batting average, home runs, and slugging percentage. I was honored to be named Red Conference Player of the Year as a sophomore, earned All-City honors all four years, and helped our program win its first IHSA Regional Championship game in school history.

    Coaching has become one of the most rewarding parts of my life. Over the past four years, I've had the opportunity to work with athletes of all ages, helping them grow not only as softball players but as confident young women. Seeing their progress and love for the game is what motivates me every day.

    I joined Clutch because I believe in developing the whole athlete. My goal is to create an environment where players feel challenged, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. I'm incredibly grateful for everything the Chicago softball community has given me, and I'm excited to give back by helping the next generation of athletes build confidence, compete with purpose, and fall even more in love with the game.

  • Karrie Garza

    Karrie Garza

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR

    I’m an Oak Park native and lifelong Windmills player from 8U–18U. I was a four year starting catcher at Fenwick High School, helping lead our team to a 3rd place state finish, and earned the opportunity to compete internationally with Team USA in Europe as a Chicago Tribune Super 60 player.

    I went on to play Division I softball at Southern Illinois University as a three year starting catcher and was a a Missouri Valley Conference preseason All-Conference selection.

    Now, I serve as the head coach of a 10U travel team, where we’ve won seven 1st place championships since 2025. I’m passionate about developing confident, competitive athletes who love the game.

    Outside of softball, I enjoy watching my kids play sports, traveling, spending time with family, frequenting the beach, lounging on a boat, and attending as many Cubs games as I can.

  • Gina Fini

    Gina Fini

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR / JUNIOR MARKETING SPECIALIST

    I’m a dedicated and passionate athlete who has been playing competitive travel softball for the past six years, starting my journey at just 10 years old. I currently play for the Melrose Park Devils 15U, where I bring versatility and strong game awareness as a second baseman, center fielder, and catcher.

    Looking ahead, I aspire to play Division I softball at either Western Michigan University or Miami University (Ohio). Off the field, I plan to major in marketing or communications, combining my love for the game with my interest in media and branding.

    Outside of softball, I enjoy staying active by working out, going on walks, and spending time with friends. I have a strong interest in social media and creativity, and in my free time, you can usually find me shopping or attending music festivals. I’m excited to continue growing as both a player and a coach, and to be part of the Clutch team.

  • Caroline Meyers

    Caroline Meyers

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR

    I am an enthusiastic athlete with a deep love for team sports, especially softball. I started playing at the age of six through various programs, including Hamlin Park, and continued playing as an underclassman at Lane Tech. I love the camaraderie that softball brings, helping players develop both as teammates and as individuals. Throughout my softball journey, my confidence and mental toughness grew, enabling me to apply those skills to other areas of my life.

    I recently graduated from UCLA with a BA in Public Affairs. I am excited to be moving back to Chicago to pursue a master's degree in Urban Planning and Policy at UIC.

    Outside of Clutch, I enjoy playing basketball, going for long walks, binge-watching reality TV, and spending time with family and friends.

    I am excited to dive back into the world of softball, this time, on the coaching side with the Clutch Team.

  • Bella Wrublik

    Bella Wrublik

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR

    I've been playing softball since I was 3 years old, and it's been one of the biggest influences in my life. The game has taught me the importance of hard work, resilience, and showing up with confidence every single day. I currently play for the Melrose Park Devils 16U and will be a sophomore at Downers Grove South High School this fall.

    I'm always looking for ways to grow as both an athlete and a person. I believe that improvement comes from embracing challenges, staying positive, and committing to the little things every day. Those lessons have helped shape who I am both on and off the field.

    One of my favorite parts of coaching is helping young athletes build confidence and develop a genuine love for the game. I enjoy sharing what I've learned through my own experiences and creating an environment where players feel supported, challenged, and excited to improve.

    My goal is to continue playing softball at the collegiate level while studying psychology. I'm grateful to be part of the Clutch family and excited to help the next generation of athletes grow not only as softball players, but as confident young women.

  • Anneliese Otero

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR

    I am a senior IB student at Amundsen High School and a three-year varsity starter, earning Red All-Conference honors my junior year. I currently play center field and utility for Chicago Blue Thunder Gold 18U under Ed Toledo and Juan Gonzalez, and I’m known for creating chaos on the bases through aggressive stealing and bunting. Academically, I am very driven with a 5.2 GPA, and I hope to continue playing college softball while studying Forensics and Criminal Investigation.

    I’ve always been known for being loud in the dugout and bringing energy to my teammates because I believe positive energy and creating an exciting environment is what makes the game so fun. I joined Clutch because growing up, there weren’t many communities where I could train alongside girls who were playing at the next level. I’m excited to be part of a community of women who understand the game, support one another, and want to create more opportunities for the next generation of softball players.

  • Sarah Alvarez

    HITTING / PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

    I recently graduated from Whitney Young High School, where I was a four-year varsity athlete and played both pitcher and utility. I began playing softball at eight years old and went on to play for the Oak Park Windmills and Willowbrook Hounds. This fall, I will continue my academic and athletic career at Triton College, where I am majoring in Health Sciences on a pre-physical therapy track.

    As an athlete, I am always looking for ways to improve my game, learn from mistakes, and become a better teammate. Softball is a game of failure, and I believe one of the most important lessons young athletes can learn is that failure is not something to fear—it is an opportunity to learn and grow. At Clutch, we strive to create an environment where athletes feel supported regardless of the outcome and can develop both their skills and confidence.

    Outside of softball, I enjoy staying active and spending time with my family. I also love traveling to new places, going to concerts, and getting creative with bedazzling different items. I’m excited to be part of Clutch and help the next generation of athletes grow both on and off the field.

  • Katie Cummings

    HITTING INSTRUCTOR

    Softball has been an integral part of my life since I was young. My athletic journey started with T-ball and playing baseball with the boys as the only girl on the team before making the switch to softball at age nine. From there, I became highly competitive in the sport, playing throughout my youth and high school career and ultimately competing at the highest levels of club softball.

    I was a four-year varsity starter at Denver East High School in Colorado, where I earned All-City and All-State honors. I went on to play elite-level club softball and was recruited by multiple Division I programs before ultimately choosing to focus on academics in college. I attended Purdue University, where I earned my degree in Nursing, and I now work as a Registered Nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

    Coaching has always been a passion of mine, and I believe the lessons athletes learn through softball extend far beyond the field. The game teaches discipline, resilience, confidence, teamwork, and how to navigate both success and failure. I’m excited to bring my experiences as an athlete and healthcare professional to Clutch and help develop the next generation of softball players while supporting them as they grow into confident, capable young women both on and off the field.

  • Emily Rodriguez

    HITTING / PITCHING INSTRUCTOR

    I graduated from Whitney M. Young High School, where I played four years of varsity softball as a pitcher and utility player and was named First Team All-City during my sophomore year. I played travel softball with Cubs RBI before finishing my travel career with the Willowbrook Hounds, and I currently play at Triton College as a pitcher and utility player while pursuing Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

    Pitching has always been one of my favorite parts of the game because there is so much more to it than simply throwing the ball. I love learning how to create movement, hit different locations, and compete against hitters, while also understanding the mental side of pitching—learning to reset after a bad pitch, trust yourself, and stay composed. At Clutch, I want to be the kind of coach athletes can learn from while still feeling comfortable being themselves, and I want them to understand why they are doing something rather than simply going through the motions.

    Seeing an athlete finally figure something out, become more confident, or accomplish something they have been working toward is what makes coaching so exciting to me. Outside of softball, I enjoy going to concerts, hiking, and spending time with my friends and family. I’m excited to bring my own personality and experiences to Clutch and get to know the athletes I work with.

  • Ella Breving

    HITTING / CATCHING INSTRUCTOR

    PIC / BIO COMING SOON…

  • Bradley Hills

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, FOUNDER

    I come from a softball family - my sister played while we were growing up and my stepdad (Bernie) has been coaching for over a decade now. His passion for coaching and love for the game inspire me to support our Clutch coaches and athletes! I am from Chicago originally, and I graduated from The University of Alabama in 2023 with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Finance. As you might imagine, I am a huge Bama softball fan!

    Outside of Clutch, I work in the wealth management industry and my favorite hobbies include playing beach volleyball, weightlifting, and watching sports.

  • Bernie Allen

    FOUNDER

    Following a successful career in wealth management, I retired in early 2026 to focus on my lifelong passion for coaching. My love for softball began in 2012 when I was a founding coach of the Hamlin Park softball program. I transitioned to high school coaching in 2017 at Walter Payton College Prep, where I stayed until 2025. After retiring from head coaching at Payton, I now serve as an assistant coach at Amundsen High School. Our team reached many milestones in 2026, including playing in the Chicago Public League final.

    I balance my time on the diamond with exotic travel, culinary adventures, and boating on Lake Michigan.

  • Matt Gall

    FOUNDER

    I have had the privilege of coaching both of my daughter’s in softball since 2015, and have been a Head Coach for the Devils travel team for the past 6 years. I have a passion for coaching softball and for helping to develop strong, confident players—on and off the field. My focus as a coach is on helping each player succeed, while also challenging them to work hard and to support each other.

    When I am not coaching, I run a successful wealth management firm, and you can also find me flexing my high school baseball skills in the softball leagues in Oak Park and River Forest. When not on the softball field, you can usually find me at Wrigley field watching the Cubbies.

Friends of CluTCH

Ready to join our team?

Please email marisa@clutchhittingacademy.com