Hometown Heroes | Braden River alum Courtney Mirabella anchoring the N.C. State staff this season

After mowing down hitters at an alarming rate at Braden River, softball pitcher Courtney Mirabella figures to be the go-to option for North Carolina State this season.

A junior, Mirabella excelled last Saturday for the Wolfpack. She allowed just two total earned runs in two complete game victories in Jacksonville against Coastal Carolina and Kansas.

But Sunday's doubleheader was a different story as Mirabella allowed 10 earned runs in two defeats. She has a 3.50 ERA after starting four games in two days. A former three-time Bradenton Herald Player of the Year and the Florida High School Athletic Association's Class 7A Player of the Year during her senior season, Mirabella entered college with a laundry list of accolades.

She even threw a no-hitter during her freshman season. And now she's looking like N.C. State's No. 1 choice to start games this softball season after Emily Weiman, the club's ace the last two seasons, graduated following last year. The Wolfpack returns to action for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Friday in Raleigh, N.C.

Scott Kelly

After battling injuries during his college career, the former Manatee High hurler is delivering on the mound this season for State College of Florida, who are off to a 9-2 start. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in three starts on the bump. He's averaging 6.75 strikeouts per game and has allowed only one walk.

Kendall Vedder

The Palmetto alum became the first Tiger since 2005 to sign with a Division I softball program last year. And so far, she's collected hits in every game this season. In two games to start the 2016 season, Vedder has a double and three RBIs for Austin Peay.

Danielle Valley

The Lakewood Ranch alum and University of Wisconsin junior is slotted into three distance events at this week's Big Ten Conference Swimming and Diving Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. Valley's best event is the 1,000-yard freestyle, where she is ranked second with a time of 9:43.37. Valley is also participating in the 500 freestyle (4:41.25 time, fourth in conference) and 1,650 freestyle (16:14.59, eighth). The meet starts Wednesday.

Kristin Zarrella

The former Lakewood Ranch standout became the lone event winner for the Southern Miss women's indoor track and field team in last weekend's Samford Invite. Zarella cranked out a time of 2:11.98 to capture the 800-meter run title. The Golden Eagles junior now turns her attention toward the LSU Twilight Classic in Baton Rouge, La., this Friday before next week's Conference USA Championship takes place.

The indoor season wraps up March 11-12 with the NCAA Championships, while the outdoor season commences March 17.

Jason Dill, sports reporter, can be reached at 745-7017. Follow him on Twitter@Jason__Dill and like his Facebook page at Jason Dill Bradenton Herald.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 11:43 PM with the headline "Hometown Heroes | Braden River alum Courtney Mirabella anchoring the N.C. State staff this season ."