Build a strong foundation in the circle at our Beginner Pitching Clinic, designed for athletes who are new to pitching or just starting to develop proper mechanics. Players will be learning with the 11-inch ball.
This clinic focuses on fundamentals, confidence, and repetition in a positive, supportive environment.
What Players Will Learn:
• Proper grip and arm motion
• Balance and body positioning
• Accuracy and control fundamentals
• Warm-up routines
• Confidence and consistency in the circle
Who It’s For:
Beginner pitchers with little to no pitching experience. Ideal for youth players learning the basics.
Why Train at The Akademy:
✔️ Age-appropriate instruction
✔️ Small group coaching
✔️ High-rep foundational drills
✔️ Supportive learning environment
Coach: Ava Metzger
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
About Ava Metzger:
Ava Metzger is a right-handed pitcher from Marist University, where she completed her master’s degree in Contemporary Curriculum and Instruction while competing for the Red Foxes softball program. During her graduate season, Ava helped lead Marist to the 2026 MAAC Championship, highlighted by a dominant 7-inning 4–0 shutout victory over Iona University in the championship game. She also earned a spot on the 2026 MAAC All-Championship Team for her performance throughout the tournament.
In 2026, Ava established herself as one of the top pitchers in both the conference and the nation. She finished the season ranked #92 nationally in lowest ERA while also ranking 4th in the MAAC in ERA, 5th in opposing batting average, 7th in strikeouts, 5th in wins, and 5th in runs allowed. Ava earned MAAC Pitcher of the Week honors twice during the 2026 season — first after defeating nationally ranked #22 University of South Carolina by a score of 2–1, and again after throwing a complete-game 2–0 shutout against Fairfield University, allowing just two hits while striking out 12 batters. Ava also helped lead Marist to the NCAA Regionals in Lubbock hosted by Texas Tech University.
Before transferring to Marist, Ava competed at Manhattan University, where she earned 2022 MAAC All-Rookie Team honors for her efforts in the circle. Despite facing significant adversity and missing both her sophomore and senior seasons due to injury, Ava remained dedicated to both her academics and athletics. She graduated from Manhattan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education with concentrations in Psychology and General Science.
Prior to college, Ava starred at Colts Neck High School, where she was named the 2021 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year and NJ.com Player of the Year.
Off the field, Ava is passionate about education and will be pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher, combining her leadership, resilience, and mentorship skills developed throughout her athletic career into the classroom.
Build a strong foundation in the circle at our Beginner Pitching Clinic, designed for athletes who are new to pitching or just starting to develop proper mechanics. Players will be learning with the 11-inch ball.
This clinic focuses on fundamentals, confidence, and repetition in a positive, supportive environment.
What Players Will Learn:
• Proper grip and arm motion
• Balance and body positioning
• Accuracy and control fundamentals
• Warm-up routines
• Confidence and consistency in the circle
Who It’s For:
Beginner pitchers with little to no pitching experience. Ideal for youth players learning the basics.
Why Train at The Akademy:
✔️ Age-appropriate instruction
✔️ Small group coaching
✔️ High-rep foundational drills
✔️ Supportive learning environment
Coach: Ava Metzger
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
About Ava Metzger:
Ava Metzger is a right-handed pitcher from Marist University, where she completed her master’s degree in Contemporary Curriculum and Instruction while competing for the Red Foxes softball program. During her graduate season, Ava helped lead Marist to the 2026 MAAC Championship, highlighted by a dominant 7-inning 4–0 shutout victory over Iona University in the championship game. She also earned a spot on the 2026 MAAC All-Championship Team for her performance throughout the tournament.
In 2026, Ava established herself as one of the top pitchers in both the conference and the nation. She finished the season ranked #92 nationally in lowest ERA while also ranking 4th in the MAAC in ERA, 5th in opposing batting average, 7th in strikeouts, 5th in wins, and 5th in runs allowed. Ava earned MAAC Pitcher of the Week honors twice during the 2026 season — first after defeating nationally ranked #22 University of South Carolina by a score of 2–1, and again after throwing a complete-game 2–0 shutout against Fairfield University, allowing just two hits while striking out 12 batters. Ava also helped lead Marist to the NCAA Regionals in Lubbock hosted by Texas Tech University.
Before transferring to Marist, Ava competed at Manhattan University, where she earned 2022 MAAC All-Rookie Team honors for her efforts in the circle. Despite facing significant adversity and missing both her sophomore and senior seasons due to injury, Ava remained dedicated to both her academics and athletics. She graduated from Manhattan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood Education with concentrations in Psychology and General Science.
Prior to college, Ava starred at Colts Neck High School, where she was named the 2021 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year and NJ.com Player of the Year.
Off the field, Ava is passionate about education and will be pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher, combining her leadership, resilience, and mentorship skills developed throughout her athletic career into the classroom.
