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Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, April 6:
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TEAM PROFILE: TENNESSEE THUNDERBOLTS 2027-WEST
David West put Tennessee Thunderbolts 2027-West together in the fall of 2021 and they should be a top contender at national 12U event all summer.
TEAM PROFILE Q&A
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?
Tennessee Thunderbolts 2027 was started in the late fall of 2021. We were previously with another organization, and after speaking with Jay Roberson with the Thunderbolts, we decided this would offer our team opportunities to compete at the highest level, with the Thunderbolts organization having access to several college coaches and programs and offering us maximum exposure. The Thunderbolts organization embodies the visions and goals we have for our team.
Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from?
We are based out of Nashville, Tennessee, however, we have one player from West Virginia, several from West Tennessee, one from East Tennessee, and the rest are in the Middle Tennessee area.
What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?
The purpose of the Tennessee Thunderbolts was to create a highly competitive team that focuses on player growth and development. We want our players to be fundamentally sound. They all aspire to play at the college level, so there is a large focus on showcasing their individual and collective talent on the field.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
We most recently competed in the PGF Beverly Bandits Power 80, which was our first PGF as a team, and we placed in the top 12, being one of the few teams to make it to championship Sunday. We placed first in the USSSA Spring Fling tournament in MS (our first tournament this season), as well as first place in the 14U division in the fall of 2021 in the Waverly Strong tournament for those affected by the flooding in Tennessee. We have several more PGFs coming up this season, with big goals for those.
What makes the organization unique?
The Thunderbolts organization is unique in that it draws in an extremely high level of elite players from all over the country and has great brand recognition as well. The opportunities that the teams and players get at large events are often unmatched by other organizations.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
My background in the sports world started in travel baseball where I fell in love with the game. I went on to play some in college, and then ended up having two daughters, so that’s when I grew to love softball. I started coaching softball eight years ago. We had a young team and it was fun to watch them learn and excel and enjoy the game. That’s where it all started. It eventually developed into coaching a high level team and playing elite competition. I haven’t looked back since.
How many teams are there in the organization overall?
There are currently 30 plus teams within the Thunderbolts organization. We are the only Tennessee team in our age group.
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history?
Even though we are relatively new to the organization and playing together as a team, one defining moment that has happened just recently is defeating a Premier team, 1-0, in the final moments of an important bracket game at the PGF Bandits Power 80. That’s where I truly saw as a coach these young ladies playing solid, lifting each other up, and having each other’s backs. That’s when I knew it was starting to come together.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
My primary focus with this team is to get them competing with the best teams in the country and making sure they have the chance to play at the college level if that is what they choose to do.
What do you think are the strengths of the team?
I feel there are many strengths to this team, but the most important is the culture. The players and parents are all like family and are truly there for the whole team, not just each individual player. They are happy for each other’s successes and want to see everyone do well. It’s hard in travel ball to find that on a team anymore. As far as a talent strength on our team, we have a very strong pitching staff as well as speed on the bases. That makes it difficult for teams when they compete against us.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
I think what separates our club team from other teams are the connections our organization has. We have college coaches that host clinics and travel to the Bolts’ facility in Birmingham, AL, and come to showcases and tournaments just to watch a Thunderbolts’ team play.
What else makes your program a top organization?
What makes our team an up and coming top tier team is the fact that we are held to a higher standard and goals than your typical travel ball team. We have an expectancy to uphold that standard and compete, and be a top contender. The Thunderbolts organization provided us the brand recognition and tools to assist us in making this happen. We are thankful to have been accepted in to such an elite organization.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Madison Pinkelton (2028, SS/2B, uncommitted, a high softball IQ and extremely consistent in making defensive plays. She consistently hits for power or contact and is able to drive the ball through the infields and bring runners in that are in scoring position. Her batting abilities have helped win several key ballgames)
Reagan “Peanut” Schmitz (2027, 2B/OF, uncommitted, the definition of big things come in small packages. She is one of the fastest kids in the 2027 age group, and if she gets on base, she is going to score. She gets down the line in 2.8 home-to-first speed or less. She is a great leadoff hitter. She is also defensively solid and consistently making game-saving plays in center field and second base)
Mycah Mays (2027, 1B/3B, uncommitted, a very strong defensive player on the corners. She is able to stretch and get the outs at first base, as well as knock the ball down and lock down the hot corner at third base. She is a great 4-hole hitter. She has already hit eight-plus home runs in the last year, and keeps adding. When she is not hitting home runs, she is hitting the ball to the gaps for extra bases)
Kinsley Belcher (2027, 1B/P, uncommitted, a lockdown first base player. She can stretch and dig balls out of the dirt for outs. She has a powerful bat with solid contact. She is multi talented, but she is known best for being an excellent pitcher. She hits spots consistently, with great command of her offspeed pitchers. She is able to consistently hit 60-plus mph)
Irelynn Beecham (2027, 3B/P/OF, uncommitted, versatile in that she can be a great 2- or 3-hole hitter, as she can move runners around base and finds a way on. She is also a very talented pitcher that has great command of her pitches. She is able to easily change speeds to always keep hitters off balance. Defensively, she is solid as well, locking down third base or being able to transition in the outfield to track down balls and throw runners out)
Maddie “Mac” McAllister (2027, OF/C, uncommitted, one of the hardest working players. She attends multiple lessons weekly and is always working to improve her skills. She has one of the most coachable attitudes. She is able to track down balls in the outfield to make plays, as well as catch when needed behind the plate. She has also shown she can drive runs in when needed)
Harper Delorenzo (2027, OF, uncommitted, brings a lot of speed and softball IQ to the outfield. She is a lefty hitter and when she gets on base she is lightning fast. She puts a lot of pressure on the defense to get down the line and beat out throws and she is able to slap for power through the infield. She has a strong work ethic and coachable attitude)
Shea Crockarell (2027, C/3B, uncommitted, a strong and durable catcher that is able to frame pitches well and helps steal strikes for her pitchers. She also has a strong arm that is able to throw out any runners that try and challenge her. She is another player that is also able to hit for power. She has a fierce, competitive mindset and is able to be a great leader on the softball field)
Addison Arnold (2027, C/OF, uncommitted, a very athletic catcher that is able to move well behind the plate and has the ability to throw any runner out that tries to steal on her. She also has an impressive pop time as well as overhand throwing velocity. She is also able to transition to the outfield and track balls and make quick throws to stop runners from stealing bases)
Brooklyn Adams (2027, OF/UT, uncommitted, has the ability to get on base by laying down key bunts when needed or hitting for contact. She is able to run down fly balls in the outfield as well as make plays on the infield. When it comes to baserunning, she is extremely aggressive and nearly unstoppable once she gets on base)
Madi Kemp (2027, OF, uncommitted, a great option as a leadoff batter because she is extremely fast, but she is also able to transition to a 2- or 3-hole hitter as well because she is able to drive through the gaps to move runners and steal extra bases. When she is playing center field, it’s hard to get anything by her. She is able to quickly get to balls and make plays, making it difficult to score)
Abigail West (2027, OF/P/1B, uncommitted, a very consistent pitcher that is able to hit her spots and keep the ball low in the zone, making it difficult for hitters. Her change-up works extremely well, consistently throwing batters off. She is versatile in that she is able to play outfield as well as first base when needed. She has come through in the clutch many times when the team needed her to hit the ball or move a runner)
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NEWS & NOTES
***Greenway of Phoenix, AZ, is currently 16-3 overall and 5-0 in the 4A Skyline Section. P/CF/IF Kaitlyn Terry, #10 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, is a major reason behind the Demons success and why they should be in the hunt for a state championship.
Terry, who played for Arizona Storm 2023-Mathis, is 13-1 with eight no-hitters and 242 strikeouts in 95 innings for Greenway. Offensively, she’s batting .522 with seven doubles, 10 homers, 34 runs and 29 RBIs.
She was Gatorade’s Arizona Player of the Year as a sophomore.
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In the World is …
The best life.. 😊 pic.twitter.com/7gfsdpGYo9
— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden_) April 6, 2022
— Carlos Arias, Extra Inning Softball (follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)