Illusion-Cain is coming off of cinderella 12U season and are moving up to 14U. We chat with head coach Caitlyn Cain about this up and coming team and what were the reasons behind their continued success. 

When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?

Our team formed three years ago and we recently made a move to join the Illusions Gold Fastpitch Organization based out of Houston, Texas. Our athletes are from Houston, the surrounding areas, and the Rio Grande Valley in the southern tip of Texas.

The team was created to compete again the top competition from all around the country. We compete at such a high level due to our athleticism, intense training, and tournament schedule.  Additionally, we spend a lot of time focusing on character development and team values, which helps our players improve both on and off the field as individuals.

Here’s a look at where Illusion - Cain finished in the last three seasons:

• 2018 - 3rd place PGF Nationals Premier Bracket 12U & 1st place VTD Jr. Nationals
• 2017 - 13th place PGF Nationals Premier Bracket 12U
• 2016 - 2nd place PGF Nationals Premier Bracket 10U

The Illusions Gold Fastpitch Organization is unique because we are run by a Board of Directors rather than one individual that oversees 20 teams. I believe this gives us strength as we have tons of experience within our leadership. We also place a strong emphasis on character development, mentorship, and the development of every Illusion player.

What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?

I played softball at Williams College in Williamstown, MA. I was a pitcher and a catcher and graduated in 2011. I then served as the Assistant Softball Coach at Williams College from 2011-2012. I’m on my 7th year of coaching select softball in Houston and currently coach our national 18U and 14U teams. I’m also the Head Varsity Softball Coach at Episcopal High School where I attended high school and pitched from 2004-2007. We won four State Championships during that time under the leadership of Head Coach Kim Randolph.

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team's history?

In January of this year, we had to rebuild the team with only three returners. We told the team they were going to be the hardest working 12U team in the country, and the girls upheld that standard. There were a lot of ups and downs from January to May, but the team stuck together and worked hard towards our ultimate goal of winning a PGF National Championship. We asked our girls to get 1% better every day, and this added up tremendously over the course of the season. As coaches, we often refer to this past season as a true Cinderella story.

We experienced a turning point in our season last spring after we had the opportunity to train with Austin Wasserman, owner and founder of Wasserman Strength and HighLevelThrowing.com. Austin shared many of his drills and throwing tips with our team, and we committed to doing his drills at every practice between then and PGF.  

We saw a significant drop in errors, improved throwing speed, less injury, and great accuracy in our throws.  I’m very grateful for the work Austin does because without him we would not have finished 3rd at PGF last summer.   

Awesome night at The Rhoads House with @Wass_Strength and a High Level Throwing Clinic. Austin was excellent.

Thanks to participants and staff! #rtr pic.twitter.com/cLuHZDxsXR

— Patrick Murphy (@UACoachMurphy) September 25, 2018

What is your primary focus or goal with this team?

My primary focus is to help these girls be the best people they can possibly be. Softball is about so much more than just winning games. The life lessons that can be taught through athletics are so important, and my coaching staff and I work hard to help our girls so they can be successful for the rest of their lives, not just on the softball field.

Our strengths are our athleticism, team chemistry, camaraderie, dedicated coaching staff, selfless athletes, and our supportive parents.

If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?

I’m really proud of the time we dedicate to team values and character development, even when if it means taking fewer softball reps during practice. I believe this kind of training is more valuable in the long run. Amazing things happen when you take the time to invest in the individual as a person instead of just as an athlete, and this is why we are tackling perfectionism by establishing who they are as people is more important than their batting average.  As an organization, we are connected to our leadership and provide access to the best information in the softball world through our education partners, like ONE Softball. 

This year, we have taken our commitment to softball education a step further by joining Sue Enquist’s community and becoming an ONE Softball Smart Team. Sue has put together an incredible network through the ONE Softball App that makes character development and softball education easy. We want to prepare our families for the future by providing them with the total athlete experience, which focuses on training, education, communication, and health and wellness.  

Softball families deserve value for the financial commitment they make to us, and as such, I want to deliver the best information relevant to our families’ needs and do it consistently so that parents are fully equipped to make good decisions for their daughter’s future. The quality content available to travel coaches and their teams on the OSB App has helped us disseminate information to our players, parents, and coaches with ease. We are honored to be a part of the Illusions Organization who supports these values.

Meet Illusions - Cain

Sidne Peters, P/CI | 2023

Sidne is a powerful pitcher with movement and the ability to change speeds. She stays consistently at 58-62 mph.  She also has a powerful bat and is heads up on the base paths. I expect Sidne to be one of the most dominate ’05 pitchers in the country this season.

Makayla Marquez, MIF | 2023

Makayla “Maki” Marquez is an excellent defender with a solid arm. She takes great angles to the ball and is always willing to get dirty and sacrifice her body for her team. Maki is crafty on the base paths and shows off her speed and high softball IQ as a triple-threat on the left side.

Gracie Smith, OF | 2023

Gracie is one of our smartest and quickest baserunners, so she’s used to pinch-run whenever possible. She commands the outfield with speed, a strong arm, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to get them out for her team.

Tara Wolocko, MIF/C | 2023

Tara is our most energetic player and has a great positive attitude. Her passion for the game is evident through her body language, communication, and effort. I expect to be able to rely on Tara to be one of our strongest vocal leaders and to use her strengths to pick the team up when we need it.

Elyssa Ruvio, 2B/OF | 2023

Elyssa is one of our quickest learners and most determined athletes.  She is extremely coachable and willing to do whatever her coaches ask of her.  Elyssa is one of our strongest leaders by example.

Taryn McDougal, C/1B | 2023

Taryn is a true “team player” who keeps her positive attitude regardless of the situation. Whether she’s on the field or in the dugout, Taryn is happy for her teammates and the team’s success. Taryn ALWAYS puts the team first.

Victoria Hunter, CI/P | 2023

Vic is one of our strongest athletes, which is apparent through her ability to play any position on the field at the highest level.  She has incredible power at the plate and a great job holding herself and her teammates accountable, even when it means having the tough conversations.

Emily Delgado, P/CI | 2023

Emily dominated in the circle at PGF this summer with pinpoint accuracy and change of speeds.  She is the definition of a true “pitcher” as she understands how to set batters up and make them go after her pitch. Emily hits with power to all parts of the field and gives tremendous effort for her team.

Brooklyn Spencer, 1B | 2023

Brook is a power hitter who finds a way to come through in the clutch.  After being injured for almost 6 months, she came back right before PGF and competed at the highest level.  Brook is also a strong first baseman and a great receiver.

Vanessa Soza, OF | 2023

Vanessa is a true triple threat at the plate with great speed.  She understands when to use her various offensive skills based on what the defense gives her.  Vanessa is also one of our strongest outfielders.

Mariah Garner, C/3B | 2023

Mariah is one of the strongest ’05 catchers in the country with a consistent sub 1.7 pop time to second base.  We love it when runners try to steal because it almost always means an out for our defense. She’s also fearless and will pick runners off if they're not careful. Mariah has a very powerful bat at the plate.

Janelle Wilson, P/1B | 2023

Janelle is one of our newest players, and we are very excited to have her on the team.  She competed well in the circle for Region 10 at the USA Softball All-American games this past summer. Janelle throws a drop, rise, and change, a repertoire that is a dream for most pitching coaches.

Veronica Harrison, CI/P | 2023

Roni is a very versatile athlete who contributes to her team at third, first, pitcher, and at the plate.  She hits the ball with power to all areas of the outfield. I expect her to be one of our top RBI leaders this year.

Bethany Aguilar, SS | 2023

Bethany played almost every inning for us at shortstop last summer and competed against the best.  She often gets to balls that seem to be out of range and surprises the other team by creating outs.  Bethany is one of our most consistent hitters with solid line drives to the power alleys.  

Townsen Thomas, OF | 2024

Townsen is our youngest and fastest player. She is one of the top 14U leadoff hitters in the country as a ’06 athlete. Townsen will often beat out what seem to be routine ground balls to infielders, so when the infield scoots in “T” blows it by them with a power slap or by swinging away. She also has great range in the outfield.