RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
One of the most fun interviews we’ve had was with Millie Roberts, the soon-to-be junior at Daviess County (Owensboro, Kentucky) High standout who is also a finalist for the soon-to-be announced Gatorade Softball State Players of the Year.
Millie was selected in April as a Top 10 player in the 2022 Extra Elite 100 and deserves all the accolades she’s getting as the Auburn commit and member of Clay Allen’s Beverly Bandits Premier 16U team is one of the top power hitters in the country of any age division.
She’s been working out on her Kentucky farm trying to stay sane and in shape with the stay-at-home restrictions that were imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here in her words, is insight from Millie regarding what she’s learned over the last few months…
*****
I am sure that I am having the same thoughts as all of the other miserable, lonely teenagers during this quarantine: When will this be over? When can I hang out with friends again? Or go to school again?
But my biggest question has been, When will I be able to play softball again?
It has officially been over two months since I have been able to step onto the dirt with my teammates, and it has been killing me! We had been working extremely hard in the weight room and on the field since last fall to prepare for our 2020 high school season.
Last year, we won the District championship against our rival team. We went on to win the Regional championship and advanced to the state semis’ where we lost against a very good team.
I had high hopes for us this season, and I am heartbroken that we will not get to play. But I must not mourn what I cannot change, I have to keep working hard to improve my game as an individual.
The Roberts kids work outside in their Kentucky front yard (l-r): Macy Roberts, with 11U Beverly Bandits Demarini – Norwood;
Emme Roberts, who plays for Owensboro Elite Basketball; trainer Q Wallace and Millie Roberts, pulling the tire.
Since the first day of quarantine, I have been brainstorming new ways that I can improve without my normal resources. I throw with my sisters, who also play softball. I hit into the Bownet in my backyard at least five times a week, and I have been going to an empty field to hit whenever I can find someone to take me.
I have also been strength training using tires and resistance bands since I cannot get into the weight room.
This whole experience has made me really appreciate being able to play softball. I admit had taken softball for granted. It has always been a part of my life, and I have never had to worry about it getting taken away from me.
Now that I have lost my chance to play my sophomore high school season, I even fear for my chance to play travel ball like normal. I worry that airlines will have limited flights and we will not be able to play in Colorado or California like every other summer.
All we can do at this point is pray that we will be able to play soon!
— Millie Roberts
*****
Here’s more on Millie, with a spotlight wed did on her a year ago…
10 Questions with 2022 Extra Elite 100 C/IF Millie Roberts… What Makes Her Smile? Donuts & Home Runs!
Originally published May 10, 2019 on Extra Inning Softball
A week from Monday (May 20), we will begin our unveiling of the top freshman prospects as we publish the Extra Elite 100 and go to 500 players deep. Our feature athlete today will be near the top of those rankings!
Millie Roberts is one of the top power-hitters in the 2022 class and as a freshman this spring at Daviess County High in Owensboro, Kentucky is leading her team in batting average (.580) and home runs (seven) after she slugged 10 as a varsity player in the 8th grade.
This summer the catcher and corner infielder played for Cray Allen’s Beverly Bandits Premier Futures 16U team.
Millie committed to Auburn in January of 2018 during her 8th grade year and this winter she wowed onlookers at the Tigers winter camp when she hit 19 home runs.
In January the slugger—who was in the Top 25 of the first edition of the 2022 Extra Elite 100—also played with many of the top 2004s in the nation for the PGF All-Stars Team which won the Double Down Super 32 in Las Vegas.
Her hitting instructor, Shannon Peyton, who has worked with Millie for a year and a half, says: “The first time I ever worked with Millie, I can still remember leaving the facility and calling some of my colleagues and discussing how phenomenal her bat speed was as an 8th grader. I was completely blown away to be honest. In my 15 years of coaching softball, Millie is the most explosive player at the plate that I’ve ever coached at her age.”
Here’s more on this talent who has a personality as big as her bat…
*****
1. You hit 10 home runs as a varsity softball player last year (8th grader) and have seven so far this year… you obviously have a prolific power swing. What is your approach at the plate—is it to go yard every at-bat?
I have recently changed my approach at the plate especially for high school season. I am more patient. I wait for that perfect pitch. If that pitch is the first pitch, I hit it. I have to know when to be aggressive.
2. How has your season gone so far this spring? What’s been the highlight of your freshman year so far?
I started off slow with power hits but ending the season strong. I was getting hits but not home runs. My highlight thus far has been the game where I hit a double, a home run and a grand slam all in one game. That was exciting.