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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.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at [email protected] and also [email protected].Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 …
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EXTRA ELITE EIGHTY 18U CLUB RANKINGS SPOTLIGHT
TLI will be taking a look at some of the top teams in the country that made the Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Rankings. Today the spotlight is on …
VIRGINIA LEGENDS PREMIER
Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Ranking: #76
Head Coach: Tim Johnston, Heidi Freitager and Matt Myint
Top finishes at major events: T-3rd at Triple Crown East Coast Summer Nationals, T-17 at PGF Premier Nationals in 2019 and Top 25 in 2017 and 2018.
Has your team received an invite to PGF Nationals or qualified for the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series? Not yet.
The Roster:
- Elon-bound Taylor Cherry (2021, P, throws in 62-64 mph range with a dominant curveball)
- George Mason-bound Hayley Shifflett (2021, OF/C, a power-hitting lefty slapper with versatility on offense and defense)
- Christopher Newport University-bound McKenzie Presson (2021, CI/C, a bomb-hitting right-handed hitter)
- Christopher Newport University-bound Logan Curtis (2021, P, an RHP with a stealthy change-up that keeps batters off balance)
- Averett-bound Hannah Jones (2021, C/2B/UT, a Swiss-army knife coming off a knee injury that can contribute in numerous ways offensively and defensively)
- Bryant-bound Amira Rainer (2021, OF, a clutch hitter with power whose dad played in the NFL)
- Christopher Newport University-bound Sammy Drew (2021, OF/3B, covers a ton of ground in the OF with a cannon for an arm and hits for high average)
- Kylee Schojan (2021, C/3B, receives well, stellar arm, high softball IQ and hits in the 3-5 region)
- Towson-commit Alyssa Myint (2022, SS, smooth steady hands with great confidence in MIF and hits gaps consistently with good pop)
- Norfolk State-commit Emory Shorts (2022, SS/2B, great MIF hands and feet with splashes of power at the plate)
- Katie Schievert (2022, MIF/3B/OF, a lead-off right-handed hitter with consistency, pop and 2.7-2.8 home-to-first speed. Can cover a ton of ground on the field)
- Shelby Knaack (2022, OF, an athletic beast with a smooth swing and monster pop)
- Emree Obispo (2022, OF/3B/2B, a smooth swing offensively that can play multiple positions)
- Wynter Morris (2023, 3B/1B, hits in the 4-hole and mashes the ball)
- Haley Luginbill (2023, 1B, a 5-foot-11 athlete that hits for power)
- Abby Adamek (2024, P, a crafty southpaw with funk, tons of movement and a good change-up)
*** Scroll down to learn more about the Legend as well as who are the latest commits….
What will it take for your team to be successful this season?
Consistency on the offensive side of the ball throughout the lineup. We were a bit streaky last year as a group (considering that we were stacked with young kids, it was a bit expected), but having faced some great competition in the fall and last summer with this group, we are excited to have a LOT of great experience throughout the order this year.
Can you describe your pitching staff?
Taylor Cherry (2021 Elon) was a workhorse last year for us with support from Brooke Cannon (2020 Lehigh) and Curtis (2021 Christopher Newport), and we expect more of the same this year with the addition of Abby Adamek, a fast-rising 2024 LHP.
Can you describe your team’s offense and what some of the strengths are?
Lots of power hitting throughout the lineup. Speed at the top of the order sets the table, but every one of the kids in the group, including the speedsters, has the ability to put the ball out of the yard, which is what makes the group as a whole so dangerous offensively. Although we don’t possess a huge amount of speed, we steal a lot of bases with game savvy and the ability to pick pitches.
Can you describe your team’s defense and what some of the strengths are?
Our infield is solid — great feet, good arms and super smart in terms of reading situations. We’ve got great talent and depth in the middle infield that will go a long way in providing support to the (pitching) staff. Lots of depth and coverage ability in the OF, too, with three kids that are projected to be starting CFs for their future colleges.
NEWS & NOTES
***Tennessee Mojo 04-Fisher added SS/3B Mary-Kathryn Scott, #73 in the 2022 Extra Elite 100, from Georgia Hotshots Premier to its roster.
We welcome 2022, @TerpsSoftball commit,@MaryKathrynSco5 (Easley, SC / Easley High School), to our Mojo Fisher TEAM and Family! We are very excited to welcome this STUD to our squad! Can’t wait to get going in a couple of months!#MK #MojoFisher pic.twitter.com/JxaXOCzqOR
— Fisher Mojo (@MojoFisher04) February 24, 2021
***MIF Melissa “Beanie” Acors of Montpelier, VA, has left Virginia Unity 14U-Johnson to join Hanover Lady Hornets 16U 2023 National. Acors is #160 in the Class of 2024 and #102 infielder in the Class of 2024.
***Virginia Unity 14U-Johnson picked up 2025 P/SS/UT Hannah Tober, a Select 30 All-American.
Please welcome @ToberHannah & family to the Unity! Hannah is an awesome addition. She is an elite 2025👩🏼🎓 w/a high softball IQ, the ability to play multiple positions, &💪 bat.
At Select 30, she hit .700, selected to play in the All🌟Game going 2-3 w/a HR. @Los_Stuff @VAUnitySB pic.twitter.com/VIhcSPHYF4
— Unity14uJohnson (@unity14ujohnson) February 24, 2021
***Lady Dukes-Lamar picked up Alexa Wyrick, a 2023 OF/IF/UT, from Indy Bandits Elite. Wyrick is a speedy triple-threat slapper.
Excited to join @LadyDukesLamar and an incredible group of talented teammates against the best teams in the country this summer! Feeling Blessed to have this opportunity! #keepworking #softball @HSEsoftball @Los_Stuff @StriveSoftball @IndianaSBLive @IHartFastpitch @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/crfpgEeOgh
— Alexa Wyrick (@AlexaWyrick15) February 24, 2021
SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Lindsay O’Dell, 2022, P, Texas Glory Naudin/Taylor High, TX, Loyola Marymount
I AM COMMITTED! So blessed to announce I have found my home at Loyola Marymount University! I can’t wait to be a Lion! 🦁 @lmulionsSB @16uNaudinSouth @brickwall_sb @nadiataylor88 @Duck_Softball @CSA_Athletes @TaylorPress @FootDoctor_Esia pic.twitter.com/cDnFN0GuFo
— Lindsay O’Dell (@LindsayODell14) February 2, 2021
Jordynn Shirley, 2022, 3B, EC Bullets-Mayfield/Woodland High, GA, Georgia State
I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and softball career at Georgia State University! I’m beyond thankful for my coaches, teammates, and most importantly my parents who have made this possible. Go Panthers!!!🐆💙@GSU_Softball pic.twitter.com/ytS8ZjHOx2
— Jordynn Shirley (@jshirley00) February 23, 2021
Lauren Fiene, 2021, P, Originals 22/23/Concordia High, MO, Drury University
✍️College Signing!🥎👏
Lauren Fiene, @OriginalsAustin pitcher, signed with @DUSoftball! Lauren played in multiple @TCSFastpitch events & was recruited at East Coast Summer Nationals! Congratulations! #IPlayTCS pic.twitter.com/FH5GkvSjTI
— TC College Coaches (@recruit_tc) February 24, 2021
BALLING OUT
Addison Jackson, a 2023 RHP/MIF for Top Gun 16U-Nationals, was balling out for St. Amant High, LA, on Tuesday night.
Great team win at home to go 4-0 on the season with a 15-7 victory last night. A few highlights below. @_STAsoftball @TGF_16_National pic.twitter.com/5857NRclmr
— Addison Jackson “AJ” (@ABJ_2023) February 24, 2021
BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
That’s not a dog, that’s a DAWG 😤 (via @buitengebieden_) pic.twitter.com/uLI2hNUQBo
— Overtime (@overtime) February 24, 2021
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