Here at Extra Inning Softball, we love to spotlight the next generation of talented players and in today’s Rising Star edition, we head to Tennessee to meet one of the top incoming juniors in the nation.
Adriana Callahan is a heavily recruited 2025 from Tennessee who is hearing from many Power 5 schools who love that she’s a lefty power hitter with 2.7 home-to-first speed and has a 70-mph overhand velocity.
We’ll surely be hearing more about this standout player over the next few years…
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Player Name
Adriana Callahan
Grad Year
2025
Position(s)
Outfield/Middle Infield/Utility
Club Team
Unity 16U – Smith
High School (City/State)
Fred J. Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee
Parents
Ryan & Rosangela Callahan
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What are your team’s top accomplishments?
- Previous High School (Libertyville High School, Libertyville IL): I played for them my Freshman and Sophomore years, and just recently moved to Tennessee
- Conference Champions, Regional Champions, Sectional Semi-Finalists, one of the best overall records in past 50 years.
What are your top individual accomplishments (stats, honors, titles)?
2023 (high school)
- NFCA All-American, NFCA All-Region Team, 1st Team All-State (Illinois), Chicago Tribune All-Area Team, Conference Player of The Year, All-Conference, Offensive MVP
- High School: .528 BA, 1.660 OPS, 1.071 SLG, 15 HRs, 35 EBH, 64 R, 50 RBI
- I now hold 7 Libertyville (Ill.) single-season records (hits, extra base hits, HRs, doubles, runs, OPS, SLG)
2022-2023 (club)
- first or second on team in all major offensive categories, including HRs, EBH, runs scored, and RBIs
What are your strengths in softball?
- leading by example
- true 5-tool player (hits for power, hits for avg., strong defense, strong arm, great speed)
- 2.7 second home to first, 82 mph exit velo, 70 mph overhand throw
- defensive versatility, I can play any position
What is your favorite softball memory?
My favorite softball memory is in our Regional Championship my sophomore year. After being intentionally hit on the first pitch of the game and then intentionally walked twice, they (opposing team) chose to pitch to me with the bases loaded in the 7th inning. It was a one-run game with two outs and I drove the first pitch of the at-bat deep over the center field fence for a grand slam to solidify the win!
Do you have any softball superstitions?
My Dad and I say the Lord’s Prayer before each game.
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen happen on a softball field?
While we were taking outfield warmups before a game, my teammate – a catcher who doesn’t play outfield – was going back for a ball and we were all screaming “fence!” but she ran straight through, flipped upside down, and landed flat on her back on the other side. It took us a solid few minutes to stop laughing, and she never took outfield warmups again all summer!
If you could meet anyone in the softball world, who would it be?
I would want to meet Kiki Milloy. We both play outfield and have similarities in our hitting, and I try to embody her approach and presence while I’m on the field.
What is one thing you have learned from your coach that will always stay with you?
My dad, who’s coached me my whole life, always tells me: “Big time players show up in big time situations.”
What is something unique about you?
My grandparents immigrated to the US from Italy after WWII, and they’ve been a huge part of my life and a big influence on culture in our family. They love to listen to the GameChanger audio of my games and, even though they don’t know too much about softball, they always support me.
Who is your hero and why?
My Dad is my hero. He’s been there for me through everything, both with softball and just in life. He’s given support and encouragement when I needed it, but also pushes me continuously and wants to see me succeed no matter what. I work hard because I want to be the best I can, and I want him to be able to see all he’s helped me accomplish!
What other activities/hobbies do you enjoy outside of softball?
I really enjoy reading. I also like hunting with my dad; we’ve got a farm in Southern Illinois, and I go down with him and my brother during deer season every year.
If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
I think it would be super fun to have dinner with Adam Sandler.
What is your favorite quote or motto?
“If you’re not first you’re last,” by Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights is my favorite.
