The fourth edition of the annual Louisville Slugger Hit Club kicked off Saturday morning and, just like the 2016 class, a player who shined brightly in the PGF Nationals was added just right before the event kicked off.
In 2016, Jessica Harper was a home run hitting-machine for the So Cal Choppers and helped Dean Fausett’s team finish 3rd in the 18U Premier division.
This year, the standout who emerged and wowed coaches all week–as she has all summer–was Charla Echols who was a key pick-up for Patrick Lewis’s Georgia Impact team that won the PGF 18U Nationals on Friday and had the key hit in the game, a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the 6th inning that was the deciding blow in the 6-4 win.
Charla was invited on Friday even before her heroics and is one of 11 standouts who make up this weekend’s Louisville Slugger Hit Club.
At the onset of the event which began in Irvine at 8 am this morning, each player was asked, “What does being part of this year’s Hit Club mean to you?”
Below are their answers… also, we have Hit Clubber Kassidy Krupit “taking over” the Extra Inning Softball Instagram account and will have regular updates on our Twitter account so follow these standouts for the next three days…
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What does being a part of this year’s Hit Club mean to you?
Brittany Allen (infielder, Florida)
I’m super excited about being in the hit club because of how fun it looks and how many of those past players are making huge impacts in college.
Rachel Cid (infielder, Oregon)
It is an honor to be chosen with these other girls as a part of the best hitters in the country.
Charla Echols (third baseman, Michigan State)
I’m so thankful to be a part of it!
Kelli Godin (outfielder/third baseman, UCLA)
I’m really excited to be able to learn from some of the best and to have some fun
Baylee Klingler (third baseman, Texas A&M)
It’s an honor being in the hit club and being surrounded by future greats and being around girls with similar goals to me
Kassidy Krupit (infielder/pitcher, Baylor)
It’s an honor to be attending the hit club! Being a part of some of the best players in the nation is a huge honor and I could not be more excited!
Jazmyn Rollin (infielder, Missouri)
I feel accomplished and honored to be sitting next to the top 11 hitters, but recognizing that I’m one of them so I feel proud.
Skyler Shellmyer (shortstop, Northwestern)
I think it is a great honor to be a part of such a small, but powerful, group of girls.
Ally Shipman (catcher, Tennessee)
I am honored to be chosen for the Hit Club. There have been some absolutely amazing players that have been a part of this and my plan is to live up to that expectation.
Anna Vines (infielder/outfielder, UCLA)
Being in the hit club is really exciting and a blessing. It’s awesome to be able to hang around the top players in the country.
Skylar Wallace (shortstop, Alabama)
I think this an awesome event to get to do fun things with some of the best hitters in the nation. It’s also a really cool learning aspect.