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Here’s our TLI for Friday, April 21, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: PAYTON ROBERSON
2B/UT Payton Roberson, #21 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Georgia Impact-Holcombe, East Coweta High, Alliance Nationals, PGF Nationals, Texas Riptide and Buford High, future college, physical therapy, Hannah Adams, Morgan Wallen, “Grey’s Anatomy” and dog love.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Payton Roberson
Hometown: Senoia, GA
High School: East Coweta High
Club Team: Georgia Impact 16U-Holcombe
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-4
Position: 2B/UT
Nickname: P
Twitter: @P_Roberson2026
Honors: #21 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100; 7A 1st Team All-Region; Coweta Score 1st Team All-County; and Newnan Times-Herald Freshman of the Year.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .355 AVG, 1 HR, .429 OBP, .912 OPS and .484 SLG.
High School Stats: .318 AVG, 15 RBIs, 1 HR, .424 SLG, .831 OPS and .923 fielding percentage.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I grew up in the same area as my head coach Kerry Holcombe and when I was younger we were opponents. In the summer of 2021, I had to take my best friend to practice while her parents were out of town and Coach Holcombe told me I could practice with his team. Later that day, he asked if we would like to be a part of the team, and we have been with him ever since.
Tell us about your high school team and how you are doing/did? My high school team placed 2nd in the GHSA 7A state championship. As a freshman, I was blessed to play alongside and learn from an amazing group of upperclassmen. As a team, there were many injuries we had to overcome, but we pushed and it made us a stronger unit.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals last summer? My team played in the Alliance Nationals in Chattanooga, TN, and placed 2nd. We fell a game short to a talented Iowa Premier National team. It was a great experience to play against so many high-level teams.
What tournament/showcase/event are you looking forward to this summer and why? I am looking forward to the PGF Nationals in California this summer because we have never been out there. Our team has worked so hard and I think we will make it far in the tournament.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? My toughest opponent was Texas Riptide, who my travel ball team lost to in the Colorado Sparkler this past summer. Another challenge was Buford High School, who we met in the state championship game. From top to bottom, both of these lineups were stacked with talent.
What are you looking for in a future college? I want my future college to not only be a place that I can grow and develop academically and athletically, but also a place that I am proud to call home.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in sports medicine or physical therapy because even after my playing career is over I would love to keep helping others reach their athletic goals.
Who is your sports hero and why? I try to model my game after former Florida Gator second baseman Hannah Adams. She was amazing both offensively and defensively. Another huge hero of mine is my hitting coach, Meghan (Gregg) Penland. I am blessed to work weekly with Meghan and she has instilled in me a further love of the game, and increased my softball IQ greatly.
What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype song is anything by Morgan Wallen. My mom and I love to scream any of his songs any time we are in the car.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? Right now, my favorite TV show to binge is “Grey’s Anatomy” because I have some interest in medicine, and while I know it is not all real life it gives a glimpse of the field that I am considering for a career. I am only on Season 9, but it’s fun to binge on the way to tournaments.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My hidden talent is getting every dog that I am around to love me.
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