Virginia Tech-committed SS/OF Annika Rohs of LLG Elite-Corn might be known as a ferocious competitor on the field, but the former baseball player turned softball player has a soft side.
“Anni and I have known each other for a couple years now and it’s safe to say she has become one of my closest friends,” said Lillie Wools, a 2023 P/1B . “One thing that makes Anni unique is her love for Disney movies. This past summer, Anni and I spent most of our off days watching Disney Plus. Unlike most people who went sight seeing, we would binge watch our favorite movies, while eating mint Oreos. Her personal favorites from this past year were ‘Cars’ and ‘Toy Story.’ So while Anni might seem like she’s a tough guy on the field, she really is a teddy bear for Lightning McQueen.”
Rohs is considered one of the top 2023 prospects in the country and gives LLG Elite-Corn a good shot in any major event. Delaney Mosley, a 2023 CF/OF for LLG Elite-Corn, said Rohs bring a lot of energy to the team.
“Annika is an absolute stud,” Mosley said. “She brings energy and swag onto the field. She is one of the most talented and consistent shortstops I’ve ever played with. Her desire to get better makes her stand out from others. She’s an all around great person and player.”
Emma Mazzarone, a 2023 P/OF/1B for LLG Elite-Corn, said Rohs only has one speed.
“Annika is just full of speed and is one of the best middle infielders I have ever played with,” Mazzarone said. “She brings lots of intensity to the field, always full of energy and just a good teammate. She also is one of the most athletic girls on the team. She has a glove like no one I’ve ever met.”
EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: Annika Rohs
Hometown: Lovettsville, VA
High School: Woodgrove High
Club Team: LLG Elite-Corn 16U
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-6
Position: SS
Nickname: Anni
Twitter: @annikarohs
Travel Ball Fall Stats: She batted .350 with a .400 OBP, .983 OPS and .583 SLG in 26 fall games.
3 hits from tonight including this 3 run Home Run!! #getstruck⚡️@LLGElite16u @LLG_MW @LLGCOACH pic.twitter.com/PcIbLd1bPZ
— Annika Rohs (@annikarohs) November 20, 2021
Highlights from Richmond!! #getstruck ⚡️@LLGCOACH @LLGElite16u @VTechSBcoach @michaellew10 @CoachJenSteele @CoachBellisari @AndradeN23 @CoachJexx_RMU @ShaneWinkler @kianarae20 @coachmegsmith @Coach_Jo4444 @jakesidwell_UVA pic.twitter.com/cWimhYNISc
— Annika Rohs (@annikarohs) November 1, 2021
Had a great first tournament of the fall @ray_seymour !! @LLGElite16u @LLGCOACH #getstruck ⚡️ @michaellew10 @VTechSBcoach @CoachJexx_RMU @CoachJenSteele @CoachBellisari @AndradeN23 @Coach_Jo4444 @jakesidwell_UVA @coachmegsmith @DrCoachBrown5 @ShaneWinkler @kianarae20 pic.twitter.com/fzHA2zvgtv
— Annika Rohs (@annikarohs) October 19, 2021
On defense at SS, she had 68 total chances, 42 assists, 21 put outs and a .926 fielding percentage.
High School Highlights: (shortened season due to Covid)
Here are some hits from my high school season so far! @CoachJenSteele @AndradeN23 @defo25 @sdoepking11 @Ltrout07 @TyraPerry13 @LibertySB @Bcard22 @CoachJexx_RMU @CoachVUCONN @DrCoachBrown5 @Coach_LaPorte @lauramess_ @UMCoachKristi @jmrw20 @Coach_MGriff @coach_crowell pic.twitter.com/GaXilXtq19
— Annika Rohs (@annikarohs) May 16, 2021
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them?
I became involved with LLG three years ago. I was looking for a new team and I definitely found a fit for me.
What were some of the training methods and workouts you did to stay busy during the stay-at-home orders because of the coronavirus situation?
During Covid, it was a very tough time for me because I don’t like to sit at home all the time. It was very hard for me not to see any of my friends, but I made the best of it. For workouts, I would throw with my brother outside and hit off the tee a lot of the time. I would also do conditioning and lifting drills with medicine balls and dumbbells.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
One thing that has helped me become the person I am today was when my grandma died. It came out of nowhere from a routine procedure and she was in the hospital for a month before she died. I spent a lot of time by her side and was hopeful that she would recover. This was a time that made me stronger as a person and taught me to be able to overcome hardships that come in my life, especially when something doesn’t turn out the way I had hoped.
What’s your most memorable softball story?
My most memorable softball story was during the summer of 2020. We were playing the Delaware Cobras and all that day I was struggling at the plate. It was our fourth game of the day and in between games I went to the cages and hit three buckets of balls. In that game, there were two runners on base and I was up to bat. I got behind in the count 1-2 and I launched one over the fence to give us a secure lead. It was a great feeling and I realized that all the extra work I was putting in was worth it.
What’s something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I played travel baseball until I was 12 years old and then switched to softball.
What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
I have learned how much I really love the game of softball. It’s something that I can always count on to be there. I’ve made some of my best friends playing and really have found an amazing softball family.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
I can juggle.
Who is the most underrated player on your team?
I would say (2025 OF) Maily (May) is the most underrated player on my team. She is the youngest on our team but she has so much potential and is always there for everyone. I’ve also never seen anyone as fast as she is on the bases.
If you could have dinner with four people dead or alive, who would it be?
The four people I would want to have dinner with would definitely be baseball players. I love the MLB and idolize a lot of the players. My favorite baseball player is Dustin Pedroia. He was an amazing second baseman who was very short. He proved many people wrong by doing what he could do at that size. I would definitely want to have dinner with him. I would also want Derek Jeter to be there. Even though I am a huge Red Sox fan, I respect and love the way he played the game. If there was a player, he would be there. Next, I would have David Ortiz. I would love to know what his hitting approach was at the plate and how he dealt with the pressure. He played in some very big games in his career and that is not easy. Lastly, I would want Mike Trout to come to the dinner. He is an amazing person and baseball player. I would like to know how he stays so consistent at the plate. People call him the best current player in the MLB, so he’s definitely someone I would want to meet and I love the way he plays the game.
What do coaches say they like most about you and your game?
What coaches say they like most about my game is my on-field leadership, game speed IQ and that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help our team win. I am also quick to make corrections and willing to work hard to improve my game.
What was the highlight of your summer season and/or fall season?
The highlight of my summer was playing in OKC in The Alliance Cup. We got off to a very bad start, putting ourselves in the Q bracket. We were not in the position we had hoped for, but we came back the last few days and played our best softball of the summer, winning the Q bracket.
EXTRA INSIGHTS
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? The best advice that I have been given is that you have to work for what you get in life.
What’s your spirit animal? I have always loved Huskies. They are athletic, loyal and are very determined.
Favorite Pro Athlete: Dustin Pedroia.
Favorite Movie: “Cars.”
Favorite Song/Artist: “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond.
Favorite Actor/Actress: Jennifer Aniston.
Favorite TV show to binge: “Survivor.”
Favorite motto/philosophy on life: Go big or go home.
— Carlos Arias, Extra Inning Softball (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
