RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Rylee Lenzi maybe be a 2026 grad year pitcher/first baseman, but that hasn’t stopped her from playing—and succeeding—against players three, four and even five years older than her.
Last Summer, she competed for the Tampa Mustangs Parker/Henry 07 team which was a 14U squad playing up mostly against 18U teams but that’s didn’t slow down Rylee, who tossed 108 innings and had 120 K’s versus just 27 walks with a WHIP of 1.308.
On the offensive side, she batted .378 with a .478 on-base percentage and had 17 walks and nine doubles.
This Spring, she’s joining Coach Kyle Fowler’s Tampa Mustangs 2026/27 – Fowler team and brings her 60-61 mph heat to a new team, but with the expected same impressive results.
“Rylee brings a lot of softball experience to our team and is an exceptional talent in the circle and at the plate,” says Coach Fowler.”
“I will go on the record saying she is the best 2008 pitcher I have seen in the state of Florida. If she continues to work hard with her pitching coach Jodi Bayles and stays focused, I think she will be one of the hottest commodities in the Southeast come recruiting time.”
Rylee, continues her club coach, has told him that she has a goal to play in the SEC in college and he states:
“We are going to do everything in our power to make sure that happens!”
The Florida dual threat is also dangerous with the bat, adding another dimension to her game.
“Rylee is a very good hitter as well,” Fowler adds, “and she is starting to put the ball out of the park consistently and driving the ball with power in the gaps. I am very excited to see how her future pans out, but she’s got the talent to go very far.”
*****
Extra Inning Softball caught up with Rylee to get her perspective on her recent past… and her promising future.
Here’s what she had to say…
You have played up against 18U teams, what has that been like? Scary? Fun?
Playing up against 18u teams can be intimidating at times, but I’ve had success in the circle, including throwing a shutout game, and even hitting my first home run.
What has been your favorite softball moment/experience so far?
My favorite softball experience so far in my career has to when I was invited to Puerto Rico for the Fastpitch Cup with Tampa Mustangs – Viruet. I pitched the last two innings of the championship game with the tying run on second and managed to strike the girl out for the win. All the girls on our team ran up and congratulated me!
According to Coach Kyle, you pitch and hit exceptionally well… which has come easier of the two and which do you think you’re better at right now?
Pitching has always come more naturally to me ever since I was little… I’ve always wanted to be a pitcher; more specifically, I’ve always looked up to Kelly Barnhill so I’d probably say that I’m better at pitching.
Which do you enjoy most: a key strikeout or a big hit?
Getting that big hit in a key situation is a feeling that just makes everyone excited and fired up, so I’d say probably a big hit.
What has been your favorite tournament or place to play?
One of my favorite tournaments has to be the showcase in Atlanta, Georgia. Coming from Orlando and being able to see all the amazing talent on the field was an incredible experience that I will never forget.
What do you like to do when not in softball? Other sports? Hobbies?
During my down time I like to hang out with my friends, go to the movies, go to the lake, and go shopping.
Any idea yet what you’d like to study or do post-softball?
Something I’ve been interested in for as long as I can remember is pursuing a career in criminology. I also always have had an eye for interior design and those are two things I’d like to major in.
Finally, is there anything unusual or different about you or your background that most people don’t know?
Something most people don’t know about me is that I’m a good singer, but I get shy when an audience is around!
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball