There are players you just want to… well… root for.
These are the players who are the epitome of what being a hard-working, high-achieving student-athlete is all about.
One of those that we have enjoyed following is Emma Tatum, a 2022 infielder/outfielder out of Huntington (Texas) High and a member of Hotshots Premier – Serie who is impressive on off the field.
In the classroom she has a 5.39 GPA; in her school she’s served as Class President and on the field, well, she’s a terror for the opposition.
As a junior this spring Emma batted .494 with a .594 on-base percentage and had seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 31 games and was named Conference/District Offensive MVP as well as Academic All-District.
You may remember the Inside Pitch (blog) that she did for us last October when she talked about having committed Kansas without having ever been on campus.
She recaps the COVID-impacted recruiting saga:
“I committed to Coach (Jennifer) McFalls and KU last September without a physical in person visit. I was able to go on an Academic tour in October 2020, and it was everything that I thought it was, plus so much more.”
Still, she’s appreciative that she was able to finalize her college plans when many were not.
“Since committing to KU in September 2020,” the incoming senior begins, “I have realized how fortunate I am with all the COVID (affected) recruiting stuff. I have several teammates who would have been committed already if it were not for COVID. My focus has been on gaining strength and speed, so that I am able to compete in the Big 12 and to contribute immediately to the continued growth of the Jayhawk program my freshman year.”
Emma adds with conviction:
“We have a focused goal to win every national we play this summer, including a PGF Premier Championship.”
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*** Scroll down to read our exclusive interview with the future Jayhawk!
