The late Janiva   Willis got her softball start in Irishtown playing with the Riverview A’s   where she was picked up by NB Provincial West Kent Lafarge Lasers and   represented New Brunswick at the 2001 Canada Games. She played seven seasons   on Canada’s national women’s team, highlighted by a silver medal at the 2007   Pan American Games and a gold at the 2007 World University Games. Janiva   earned a scholarship to Winthrop University in South Carolina, where she was   a four-time All-Big South Conference selection and was regarded as one of the   top players in the history of the program. As of 2022, she still holds team   records in home runs, doubles, walks, and total bases. Willis was also a   three-time All-Academic Team selection and was voted the 2005 Big South   Scholar-Athlete of the Year for softball. Following her senior year in 2005,   Willis was named the NCAA's South Carolina Woman of the Year and was a Top 10   Finalist for NCAA National Woman of the Year.