RANKINGS
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ABOUT
Kaydee Bennett is a three-sport star from Texas and she showed why she is one of the top 2022 softball prospects in the nation at PGF 14U Premier Nationals this past summer.
The speedy Oklahoma State-committed middle infielder/outfielder, who only carries advanced and honors classes, is a self-professed bookworm and Texas state qualifier in robotics, so she can probably beat you in Jeopardy too.
She helped Hotshots Premier-Nelson to a 7th place finish at PGF Nationals in the summer before moving up to 16U and joining Oklahoma Athletics National-Madden/Yeatts this fall.
Bennett’s new coach JC Yeatts, whose team was known as Oklahoma Hotshots Premier-Yeatts and placed 5th at PGF 14U Premier Nationals in the summer, is eager to add her to the lineup because of her vast skills on offense and defense.
*** Click HERE to read about the commitment of Kaydee and her best friend to OSU last year!
“Kaydee brings multiple skills that make life easier on a coach,” Yeatts said. “Her hands and quick release give her the ability to play either middle infield spot and her athleticism allows her to be effective at third as well. Put her in the outfield and her speed takes over and she can cover plenty of ground. Offensively, she is a triple-threat. Kaydee is able to bunt, slap and hit for power. Defenses will have to pick their poison.”
Uncommitted 2022 shortstop Macy Graf, who plays for Texas Glory-Naudin 16U, and Bennett used to be tag-team partners in the middle infield on past teams.
“Kaydee is an awesome teammate,” Graf said. “She always brings her ‘A’ game no matter what game we are playing. She brings a positive attitude and a great sense of humor to the team. She always does her own thing no matter who’s watching. She likes to dance around and make everyone laugh and smile.”
Uncommitted 2022 1B/OF Madison McClarity, who played with Bennett for Hotshots Premier HTX-Nelson this past summer, considers Bennett an outstanding all-around player.
“Kaydee is a five-tool player who can hit for power and has the speed to slap and be a threat at all times,” McClarity said. “She’s the kind of player that leads more with her performance instead of her voice. And she is truly one of the nicest most supportive people I know.”
*** NOTE: Click on the words in Bold to discover hidden links!
*** Go inside “Extra Star Power” to learn more about one of the top 2022 prospects in the nation.
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EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: KAYDEE BENNETT
Hometown: Caddo Mills, Texas (recently moved from Sunnyvale, TX)
High School: Caddo Mills High, Texas
Club Team: Oklahoma Athletics National-Madden/Yeatts 16U (previously Oklahoma Hotshots-Yeatts 14U)
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 5-foot-7
Positions: MIF/OF
Nickname: Nickel or “Nick” from playing No. 5 the majority of my sports until this year, and itʼs also my favorite number.
Twitter: @kaydee_bennett
Academic Honors: honors student enrolled in advanced and honors courses for all classes, has earned Academic All-American Awards in multiple sports and was a 4A State Qualifier in TEXAS B.E.S.T UIL State Robotics
Athletic Honors: three-sport varsity athlete since freshman year in volleyball, softball and and track; TSWA 2nd team All-State selection, made the Texas Girls Coaches Association 4A All-State team, District 10-4A Newcomer of the Year and Academic All-District and Sports Day HS News Dallas News Schools Player to Watch in softball; 4A Region 13 2nd team All-District and Academic All-District in volleyball; in track and field, was 4A Area champs and Region 2 finalist for 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400 sprint relays.
Travel Ball Highlights: Ranked No. 52 in 2022 Extra Elite 100 and No. 14 outfielder by Extra Inning Softball, committed to Oklahoma State as SS/MIF and placed second with Southwest Blue at USA Softball All-American Games.
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Tell us about your summer including highlights…
This summer was a transition period for me. I decided to leave Texas Travelers Gold after four years in order to push myself to compete at a higher level. It was exciting to play with Hotshots-Nelson this (past) summer around some girls I hadnʼt played with since the 2017 USA All-American Games.
At PGF Nationals this year, I acted as a utility player, playing third base, shortstop, left and right field. I batted well, had a couple of home runs and some very timely hits throughout the tournament when pressure was high. PGF has always been a great experience. The area is great and I get to play some amazing softball, thatʼs for sure. Thereʼs great pitching and youʼre surrounded by some of the best of the best in the nation.
So this year PGF was the last tournament of my 14U softball experience. In our last game of the tournament, I went out with a bang, literally. It was the bottom of the seventh inning, we were home team down by two runs with one out and no runners on base when I came up to bat. I had no strikes and two balls when I saw it! I was ready, I was focused and adrenaline was pumping. I knew I had to come up big. The pitcher was a lefty, but that didnʼt mess with me. It didnʼt matter the pressure I felt.
I used the pressure to take the ball out, soaring it over center field. I knew it was gone when it touched my bat. Although it was hard for our team to lose that game by one run, it still felt pretty good to know my last at bat for my summer and 14U season gave me more confidence, knowing this summer I came up big time and time again and again under pressure. It was this summer I realized it starts with believing in myself. I am playing with 16U Oklahoma Athletics National-Madden/Yeatts this fall.
What have you learned about yourself in the past year?
I have become more resilient and adaptable to change. I have moved to a new town and changed high schools this school year. At the same time, I also changed travel ball teams after years of staying with Texas Travelers Gold for the past four years, but I knew it was time to move. By nature, I am an introvert, so meeting new people can be hard sometimes, while trying to find my way with new coaches, teachers, players and friends. This has been both scary and exciting for me all at the same time because by my nature I am an introvert and it can feel like you live under a microscope when you are the new kid in town, but I believe all of this has made me mentally stronger under pressure.
What is something you have faced in your life that has helped you become the person that you are today?
Itʼs really my middle brotherʼs life that changed me. I was little, but with him when he had an injury that almost took his life, when he was just under two (years old). After the accident when he finally came home, life changed, finances changed and perspective changed in our family. My brother was one of those stories most people just read about, but he is one those miracles that make you know God is real. By the way, doctors canʼt explain his recovery process. His story has been a constant memory that reminds us to be grateful, work hard and donʼt take people or life for granted, not even a second, because it can all change in a moment.
Whatʼs something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I love to read when I am not playing sports and going to school.
Do you have a secret talent/skill?
I have learned basic programming in Java and plan to get better with my coding in years to come.
*** Scroll down to learn more about Kaydee and what scares her so much she says: “I fear them to this day!”