RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Friday saw the release of the Top 10 players in the Extra Elite 100 for the Class of 2022 and one of those (spoiler alert) was catcher extraordinaire Samantha Roe who kicks off her first blog for Extra Inning Softball by talking about what it’s liked being homeschooled and being invited to play for a local high school varsity team… when she was in the 6th grade!
Two years later, she’s lighting it up as an 8th grader at Rocky Bayou Christian School located in Niceville, Florida.
How good is Sam doing? In her first six games, the catcher who has already committed to the University of Florida has a jaw-dropping .714 batting average with 15 RBI, 15 runs scored, a .769 on-base percentage, a 1.428 slugging percentage and even 12 steals.
Here’s an intro to the standout player we’ll be getting to know a lot more over the next few years…
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Hey guys, this is Samantha Roe, but most people call me SamRoe!
I currently play for Georgia Impact – Newland and I am committed to play softball for the University of Florida (#chompchomp!).
I am 14-years-old and I LOVE softball. I’m guessing if you’re reading this, you love softball too.
I’m home educated and have never attended school in a classroom outside of my house. If you’re wondering if I do my school work in my pajamas, the answer is… yes, well… sometimes!
It’s not unusual for me to snuggle up with my work on the couch or outside. When I was little I would do my math with sidewalk chalk on the driveway.
Speaking of math… yuck! That is not my favorite subject. If you want to talk about something I do enjoy, though, that is softball.
When I was 12-years-old and in the 6th grade, Coach Lynn Holcomb gave me the amazing opportunity to play for the Rocky Bayou Knights varsity softball team. I was nervous because I would be playing with 9th through 12th graders and I have been homeschooled my entire life, so I didn’t know what to expect.
When my mom was driving me to the first practice, I felt like my stomach was doing flips. I had played travel ball for some time, but playing for a school was new territory. I quickly realized that managing school and practice every day was going to take me on a different adventure.
What I didn’t know then, but I know now, is that the experience would be one that would make me a better player and person.
After the first practice, I couldn’t wait to come back and I had a feeling that I had just made some lifelong friends. My intuition was correct, not only are the Knights amazing athletes, they are the kindest and most genuine group of young ladies I have ever met. We have each others’ backs on and off the field!
My first year playing for the Knights, senior Samantha Holcomb—who now plays softball for SEU—took me under her wing and I’m forever grateful.
Fortunately, I get to play high school ball with players like Kaylee Orr, an Southeastern University (SEU) commit, who has been a role model for the whole team; Jenna Bush, a Marist commit, who makes the game more fun; Haley Nelson, a Bryan commit, who always has a smile and a word of encouragement; Alicyn Grete, A West Point commit, the leader of the team and the ace pitcher that we need fro this season.
The Knights are off to a great start this year outscoring our opponents 70-8 with a 5-1 record. I’m proud to be part of such a great problem!
I have also been blessed with such an amazing and supportive family. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. Not only do they push me to be a better softball player, they also push me to be the best person I can be. I can’t wait to tell you more about them… but that, my friends is a topic for another day!
— Sam Roe