Jelina Medina hasn’t even hit high school yet.
The Tenney Grammar School eighth-grader has already taken her game international, though.
Methuen’s Melina, at just 14-years-old, recently represented the Dominican Republic’s U-18 national team in the fifth Pan Am Softball Championship Tournament in Colombia during the first week of April.
“I was a little nervous at first,” said Melina, a pitcher and shortstop by trade. “After the first game against Peru, I gained my confidence. My teammates were amazing. It was obvious we were having a good time being there and competing.”
Medina delivered a strong performance, facing girls four years older than her, for the Dominican team that placed seventh overall among the 11 nations competing.
Medina led the Dominican team in appearances with six, earning two of the team’s three victories in the tournament. In 27.2 innings of work, she struck out 32 and posted a 3.80 ERA.
“The competition was very good. Overall, it was very difficult,” said Medina. “There were some really good pitchers there.”
One pitcher that caught Medina’s eye was Yessenia Lopez of the undefeated champion team from Puerto Rico.
“I’ve never seen anyone pitch like her before. She throws 74 (mph),” said Medina of the University of Central Florida recruit. “She hit her spots. It was amazing.”
Medina is no stranger to followers of the region’s youth sports scene.
This past winter, she competed in basketball on the Methuen High freshmen team.
In the summer, she competes in softball for the Rhode Island Thunder’s 14U national team.
And next fall, she will enroll at the Saint Paul’s School in Concord, N.H.
“I’ve been thinking about prep schools a few years now. It’s going to be tough not to see my siblings or parents on a daily basis, but I’m really excited about the opportunity,” she said. “I met with the girls from Saint Paul’s, and they seem like really good people.”