When uncommitted 2023 UT Kasidi Pickering isn't wreaking havoc on opposing defenses, she fancies herself an amateur deer hunter.
Fortunately for the deer community in Atascocita, Texas, Pickering, ranked No. 4 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100 by Extra Inning Softball, spends most of her time on the softball diamond.
"Kasidi's standout skills on the field are what makes her different from the rest," said Pickering's teammate Kennedy Powell, a 2022 UCLA-committed IF/OF. "She can hit the long ball and come back the very next at-bat and drop one right in front of home plate and beat it out. Kasidi keeps teams off balance and always has them guessing her next move, and that's what separates her from the others.
"On the other side of the ball, Kasidi is dominant and there are very few balls that hit the ground if they're anywhere within reach. I've seen balls hit that everyone in the stands thought to be a gapper and she's chased it down. Kasidi's communication skills on and off the field are in incredible as well. The leadership that she brings inside the dugout really helps keep the team up and on our feet, you can't ask for much more than that. Kasidi is a great player and teammate and playing with her is something really special."
Uncommitted 2023 1B/RHP Ava Brown said it's not just Pickering's skills that make her so valuable, but the energy she brings to the team.
"Kasidi Pickering is what I would call a multi-tool athlete," Brown said. "With not only speed, but power and many elements at the plate, she is always a tough out. But, aside from her performance on the field, Kasidi is also a fun person to be around. She brings mass amounts of leadership to the team also."
LSU-committed 2022 P/1B Emma Strood of the Hotshots said she loves Pickering's versatility and leadership.
"She's the definition of a utility player," Strood said of Pickering. "She's a leader in the outfield, but can play in the infield or pitch just as well. She's loud and competitive and will fight till the end for her team. She can play any position and her love for the game makes her special."
*** Go inside "Extra Star Power" to learn more about one of the top 2023 prospects in the nation.
*** NOTE: Click on the words in Bold to discover hidden links!
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EXTRA STAR POWER Q&A
Name: KASIDI PICKERING
Hometown: Atascocita, Texas
High School: Atascocita High, Texas
Club Team (age group): Hotshots Premier-Nelson 16U
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-8
Position: Centerfield
Nickname: Pick
Twitter: @PickeringKasidi
Honors: Ranked No. 4 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100 and No. 1 in the nation in the outfield for Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball.
High School/Travel Ball Highlights: Won 10U and 12U national titles at PGF and USSSA and won 14U Power Pool at Colorado Sparkler.
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Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this past summer?
The outcome wasn’t how we wanted it, so you can never be satisfied, and I hope to change my experience for next time.
*** Scroll below to read more about Kasidi including the simple yet hilarious two-word advice she received that she definitely lives by today!
