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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: MAKENZIE FOSTER
Syracuse-bound MIF Makenzie Foster, #36 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Beverly Bandits Premier-Dorsey, High Level Throwing, PGF Nationals, the B.O.B. Invitational, Mojo-Danley, Syracuse, Kobe Bryant, Jay-Z, “Yellowstone” and skiing.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Makenzie Foster
Hometown: Columbus, IN
High School: Columbus East
Club Team: Beverly Bandits 18U Premier-Dorsey
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-5
Position: MIF
Nickname: Kenzie
Twitter: @MakenzieFoste14
Honors: #36 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100 and #21 MIF in the Class of 2023.
Travel Ball Highlights/Fall stats: Won both Easton Rawlings tournaments and Boulder IDT (2022); placed 2nd at the PGF 16U Premier Nationals (2022); 50 plate appearance, .348 AVG and .909 OPS.
High School Highlights/Stats: All-Conference (sophomore and junior year); 2nd team All-State (junior year); .506 AVG, 1.37 OPS, 35 SBs and 40 runs in 26 games.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? Well, if anyone knows the Bandits, you know we are a very high level organization full of competitors. Bill Conroy has done an amazing job getting our organization to the top and the first team any college coach wants to watch. I came to the Bandits from the Indiana Dreams when I was 14 (years old). I played well against a Bandits team in an Ohio tourney. My team split up after the summer and the next year I was a Bandit!
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? High Level Throwing by Andrew Wasserman really improved my arm strength. Also, I spend a lot of time working on speed, agility and quickness and lifting weights.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this past summer? PGF Nationals this past summer was one to remember for sure! We had a pretty clean tournament and ended up making it to the championship game where we played Georgia Impact. The experience that came with just that game alone was awesome and kind of gave us a glimpse of what college ball will be like being on TV. Even though we fell short, it was still a tournament I’ll remember forever.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? I would say (the B.O.B. Invitational in) Arizona was my favorite tourney of the fall. I always love going because of how beautiful it is, as well as always having tough competition.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Mojo-Danley was probably our toughest competitor. I think the main reason is because it’s Bandits and Mojo and our organizations are always very competitive when we play each other. They always give us a good fight and have a really solid team.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Syracuse? Right after my visit ended, I knew Syracuse was where I wanted to go. I got to go on two other visits. Syracuse had such a welcoming atmosphere and the program is heading in the right direction. The girls were very fun to be around and made me feel like I fit in very well! I also love the way Coach (Shannon) Doepking coaches! On top of all of that, I know I will be getting a phenomenal education!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in going into marketing! I would love to be able to work with big brands and stay in athletics.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is definitely Kobe Bryant. While he doesn’t play softball, he is someone to look up to. He is a great example of what separates good athletes from great athletes and has inspired me to work harder than anyone around me. I love the Mamba Mentality.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Drake because it gets me ready to beat whoever is on the other side of the field.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Yellowstone” for sure because every episode ends with something big happening. Also, the actors are very good and make you want to keep watching it.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I love snow skiing!
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