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.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at info@extrainningsoftball.com and also los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com.
Here’s our TLI for Friday, April 9, 2021 …
*****
EXTRA ELITE EIGHTY 16U SPOTLIGHT
The Extra Elite Eighty 16U Club Rankings were recently released and TLI will be taking a look at the teams that made the top 80 for the next few weeks.
Today the spotlight is on …
FURY PLATINUM-BROWN
Extra Elite Eighty 16U Ranking: T-54
Head Coach: Phil Brown
Fall 2020: Fury Platinum had a strong run in the fall with wins over LLG Maguire/Corn, Louisville Lady Sluggers-Murphy, Georgia Impact Premier-Caymol, Fury Platinum-Polk and Tampa Mustangs-Rene and they qualified for Tier 1 to the AFCS.
Returners:
- Addie Keef (2023, OF/2B, #141 in the Class of 2023)
- Avery Shamblin (2024, P, #43 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100)
- Caley Wade (2023, OF, #2 in the preseason Kentucky Coaches Player Rankings)
- Addi Yates (2024, OF/MIF, #102 in the Class of 2024)
- Maddie Terrell (2023, C, #46 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100)
- Emory Donaldson (2023, MIF/OF, #98 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100)
- Zoey Defoor (2024, MIF, #161 in the Class of 2024)
- Jenna Simms (2023, P, #189 in the Class of 2023)
- Kennedy Oliver (2023, C/UT, a great athlete that can play multiple positions)
- Kaitlyn Stinnett (2023, 3B/1B, #106 in the Class of 2023)
- Emily Sims (2023, P/UT, a good glove and big arm that can play multiple positions, including pitcher)
- Jessica Gibson (2023, OF, a big bat that continues to improve in the OF)
- Lily Tate (2024, C, a big-armed catcher with a big bat)
- Cadence Rolison (2024, 1B/OF, a great glove at 1B with a big bat)
Newcomers:
- Tate Davis (2024, MIF/OF, #30 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100)
What will it take for your team to succeed this summer? “Our pitchers will keep us in all the games,” Fury Platinum director of player development Jimmy Hutchins said, “and it will come down to how we can swing it.”
Tell us about your pitching staff and what some of the strengths are? “The pitching staff is a group of three pitchers that all have different strengths,” Hutchins said. “We have a couple pitchers that throw in the 60-64 mph range. While another one is an offspeed pitcher. They all have great control and have a variety of pitches.”
Tell us about your offense and what some of the strengths are? “We have some big bats in the lineup and have added another one for this summer,” Hutchins said. “We have some great speed with three slappers in the lineup that can change the game with their speed. This season will come down to how the big bats perform and drive runners in.”
BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Performance anxiety among athletes is something that is not talked about enough! It can be crippling and inhibit even the most elite athletes. I am no expert, but as someone who struggles with performance anxiety, I thought I’d share some ways that have helped me cope. THREAD:
— Haley Cruse Mitchell (@haley_crusee) March 31, 2021
