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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: ELYSE KRESHO
Oregon-committed OF/LHP Elyse Kresho, #29 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Atlanta Vipers-Wiggins, consistent training, PGF Nationals, Scenic City Top 25, River Ridge High in Georgia, Oregon, psychology, Haley Cruse, Alicia Keys, “Outer Banks” and playing the flute.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Elyse Kresho
Hometown: Jasper, GA
High School: Cherokee High
Club team: Atlanta Vipers 18U-Wiggins
Graduation: 2024
Height: 5-foot-3
Position: OF/LHP
Nickname: Duck
Twitter: @elysekresho
Honors: Region Player of the year (2022); 1st Team All-State (2021 and 2022); Region and County Pitcher of the Year (2021); #12 Pitcher/Duo in the Class of 2024; and #20 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100.
High School Stats: Hitting — .468 AVG, .580 OBP, .899 SLG and 18 extra-base hits; Pitching — 80.2 IP, 89 Ks and 1.51 ERA.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I began playing for coach Allen Wiggins at the age of 12 and he has helped develop my love for the game. My teammates are some of the most amazing and uplifting people I know. Over the years, my teammates have become some of my best friends off the field.
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? I would say the most important thing is to be consistent and do everything with a purpose and not just go through the motions to say you did it. I focus on cardio and lower body lifting in my work and I make it a point to throw and swing with a teammate every day. During the offseason, my high school team and I lift five days a week in order to prepare ourselves for the season
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this past summer? PGF is one of the most exciting events my team plays in every year. In back-to-back years, my team and I have had top-20 finishes. There are so many opportunities to learn from other teams from different areas of the country and also get exposure to many different schools along the way. It also brought my team closer each year, which only helps with the upcoming season.
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? Scenic City Top 25 is definitely my favorite event of the fall because we were able to compete against amazing competition early in the season. It set the standard for the rest of the fall season.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? The toughest opponent I have faced is in my High School softball season. River Ridge High (in Georgia) is an outstanding team from inside our county that brings the energy every game. Their lineup is strong and has dominant pitching, which is comparable to my team. Every time we play, you know you are in for an amazing game.
Why did you choose to commit to Oregon? Committing to Oregon was such an easy decision for me. Playing for the Ducks has been my goal since I first picked up a softball and seeing the moment finally come true was amazing. When I stepped on campus for the first time and attended my first camp, I knew Eugene was exactly where I wanted to be. The attention to detail the coaches apply as well as the academic opportunities made the decision as easy as ever. I am very thankful for the opportunity Coach (Melyssa) Lombardi, Coach (Sam) Marder and Coach (Nikki) Ragin have provided for me and I could not be more excited to represent the Ducks in 2024!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I wish to study psychology because I am very interested in how people think and why people present different behaviors.
Who is your sports hero and why? Haley Cruse is my favorite athlete. The way she carries herself on and off the field is something I wish to embody myself. The way she persevered through adversity in her career shows me that anything is possible if you truly want to earn it.
What’s your favorite hype song? I definitely have a couple songs, but I would go with “New Day” by Alicia Keys because it helps me start my day with an uplifting and powerful tone.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I really enjoy watching “Outer Banks” on Netflix in my free time! I can’t wait for the next season!
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I play the flute in my High School band.
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