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 15, 2020 …
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12U CLUB SCOUTING REPORT
Extra Inning Softball will begin releasing the Extra Elite Eighty 12U Club Rankings on Monday, April 27, 2020, so we’ll start taking a look at some of the top teams in the nation. Let’s take a look at Coach Brandon Kemp‘s team …
BIRMINGHAM THUNDERBOLTS 07-WOOD
2019 Fall Record: 16-8-1
2019 Summer Record: 33-13-4
Top Finishes: Went 7-1 at Atlanta Childrens Healthcare Fastpitch Classic, 3-3 at 14U Sand Dollar Classic, 2-2-1 at Thunderbolts 5 Star Classic, runnerup at 2019 USA Elite Select WFC, 2nd place at USSSA Super Soutern Gulf Coast Friendly and 3rd place at USSSA Best of the Best.
Returners:
- Ryleigh Wood (2025, MIF/OF, about as good of a lead-off hitter you can find in 12U, dependable, High OBS. She can slap to get on, drive a gap or lay down a sneaky bunt. Plays a very solid SS/2B and can track down balls in the OF)
- Lexi Vernon (2026, P/1B, she commands hitters with her rise ball and screwball, living in the upper 50s. In the fall, she collected 65 Ks, while only giving up 31 hits in 17 games)
- Daigle Wilson (2025, 1B/3B, a huge part of the power this hard-hitting team has top to bottom. She can hit the long ball or screaming gap shots to score runs. The better pitching she sees, the better hitter she becomes. Also plays a very solid 1B and can also play anywhere on the field)
- Mallory Flournoy (2025, UT/C, a perfect example of a great teammate. Probably one of the hardest working kids around.
Her love for being around the game is always evident by her attitude. She can play anywhere on the field and will do her job at the plate when her team needs her) - Bryanna Kemp (2025, P/UT, has been the anchor of this team’s offensive power for several years. She has game-changing power, but is a gap driving machine. As a member of the pitching staff, she throws in the upper 50s with a knuckle change and curveball that will shut down some of the best hitters)
- Olivia Tindell (2025, OF, has fence-clearing power and is probably one of the smartest baserunners you will find. In the outfield, she makes game-saving catches and will give everything she has, including sacrificing her body to go get a ball for one of her pitchers)
- Ava Hodo (2026, C, at the top of the ladder when it comes to catching in her age group. Frames pitches very well, has a rocket arm with speed and accuracy to go with it. At the plate, she is as clutch as they come. She has a solid rep of being the kid at the plate other coaches do not want to see with the game on the line because she will deliver)
Charlee Bennett (2025, MIF, probably one of the most well-rounded players there is. She can flash the leather and handle the ball well, has great range and a very high softball IQ. She had a great fall season at the plate hitting for average and even showing off a little HR power. She has great speed and will stretch a defense with her smart baserunning) - Madisyn Weathers (2025, 3B/C, the other part of the two-headed monster behind the plate for this squad. She holds her own at the corners very well. At the plate, she has loads of power and can stretch the field on any given pitch)
- Haley Hart (2025, MIF, nicknamed “Money” and for a very good reason. She plays mistake free softball from the SS position. She has fantastic glove work and an accurate throw across the diamond. At the plate, don’t let her size fool you. She can hit the ball hard as any kid out there)
- Katie Gillott (2025, UT, a softball playing machine and the definition of a utility player. She plays as hard as any kid on the field. In the outfield, if the ball is in the air, she can get up underneath it and has a rifle for an arm. At the plate from the left side, Katie can slap, hit for power or show off her wheels)
- Madilyn Byrd (2025, P/1B, another vital piece of this team’s pitching staff. She is a workhorse and is not afraid to attack the zone and go right after a hitter. She throws in the High 50s and moves the ball very well. She can also swing the stick and change a game with one swing)
- Kaylee Goodpaster (2025, OF, new to the team last fall and she has a very well-rounded skill-set. She has a cannon for an arm and has hosed a few runners trying to get a little too brave. At the plate, she hits the ball very hard and has gap-to-gap power to go with good speed)
Newcomers:
- Kaileigh Byars (2025, P/UT, a left-handed pitcher from Virginia that can throw it very well and will only make this pitching staff probably one of the best in the country. At the plate, she has gap-to-gap power and can even hit the long ball)
What will it take for your team to be successful this year?
The only way we will be successful this year is for the corona virus to go away.
Can you talk about your pitching staff?
This team is very blessed with pitching and each of them bring something unique to the circle. As a team preparing to face this staff, there is no preparing. Lexi throws her devastating, disappearing rise ball, Byrd pounding the strike zone with curves, drops and change-ups, Bryanna using her power pitching and getting ground ball after ground ball for the defense to eat up or Kaileigh power pitching from the left side. All of them throw up into the high 50s touching 60s when they need it.
*** To read the rest of today’s The Last Inning, scroll down below…
