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Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: MALLORY WHEELER
Louisiana-committed RHP Mallory Wheeler recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Louisville Lady Sluggers-Huecker, the Alliance Nationals, the SEFL Fall Championships, Aces Fastpitch Club, environmental science, Louisiana-Lafayette, Aleshia Ocasio, Sam Tinnesz and “Criminal Minds.”
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Mallory Wheeler
Hometown: Jensen Beach, FL
High School: Jensen Beach High
Travel Team: Louisville Lady Sluggers 18U-Huecker
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 6-foot-1
Position: RHP
Nickname: Mal
Twitter: @2024_mallory
Honors: 16U All-Tournament Team for Triple Crown Nationals and 1st Team All-Area.
Travel Ball Stats: 1.36 ERA, 56.2 IP, 6 BBs, 62 Ks, 4 HBP and .182 batting average against.
High School Stats: Batting — .457 AVG, 30 RBIs and 3 HRs; Pitching — 3.66 ERA, 130 IP and 155 Ks.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? My team is a competitive team looking to win national titles in the summer. Our coaches push the team to be our best throughout fall and summer. It is a fun team to be a part of and I couldn’t ask for better teammates or coaches. I got involved with this team last fall season when I played them in the SEFL Championship last fall in Clearwater, FL. I loved the way the team played and the fight they had. I reached out to Coach (Don) Murphy and became a part of the team.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this summer? I played in the Alliance Nationals in Indiana and Colorado this (past) year. It was an amazing experience with tough competition. The tournament was run great and there were a lot of high-level college coaches.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? My favorite fall torment was the SEFL Championship in Clearwater, FL. This tournament is close to home for me and there is always tough competition. The teams and the atmosphere compare to nothing else.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? The toughest team I faced this year was Aces Fastpitch (Club) 18U. They are a strong team at the plate and in the field. Their hitters make good adjustments at the plate, making it hard to pitch against them.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in studying Environmental Science. I have always loved being outside and learning about the environment that surrounds me.
Why did you choose to commit to Louisiana-Lafayette? The decision to commit to Louisiana Lafayette was an easy one for me. I had an instant connection with the pitching coach (Justin Robichaux) and the head coach (Gerry Glasco) during our phone calls. All the coaches are very easy to talk to and create a great atmosphere around them. When I took my visit to campus, I instantly fell in love. I knew that was the school for me and the place I wanted to call home for my college life.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is former Florida Gator player Aleshia Ocasio. I grew up watching her play on television and loved the way she played the different parts of the game. I had always wanted to hit or be a multi-position player in college, which is hard as a pitcher, but she showed me that it was possible. I have looked up to her my whole life and inspire to play the game with the same competitiveness she does.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song is “Legends Are Made” by Sam Tinnesz. In high school, it is my walk-up/walk-out song. I feel like this song shows what it takes and what it means to be a champion at any level.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “Criminal Minds.” I love the characters and the crime aspect of the show. It is very captivating and easy to watch over and over again.
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