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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: LILI SMITH
James Madison-committed 1B/3B/RF Lili Smith recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Team North Carolina-Hinde, mental game, PGF Nationals, Diamond Direction, Birmingham Thunderbolts-Rocky, James Madison, chemistry, Montana Fouts, Taylor Swift, “The Office” and guitar.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Lili Smith
Hometown: Bellefonte, KY
High School: Russell High
Club Team: Team North Carolina 18U-Hinde
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: 1B/3B/RF
Nickname: Lil
Twitter: @LiliSmith2024
Honors: 16th Region All-Star (2021 & 2022); All-Area Honorable Mention (2021 & 2022); 63rd District Team (2021); 63rd District runner-up (2021).
Travel Ball Fall Stats: .333 AVG, 20 hits, 4 HRs and 1.000 fielding percentage.
High School Highlights/Stats: Career Stats — .400 AVG, 67 hits, 11 HRs and 49 RBIs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I am a member of Team NC-Hinde. I have actually known Coach Kevin (Hinde) for over a year. During fall 2021, I was looking for a national team and took a chance by emailing Kevin. He replied and off my Dad and I went to Charlotte for a workout with Kevin and Anna in December. Unfortunately, their roster was full, but we kept in touch. I was fortunate to join and play with a talented Georgia Impact team over the summer. Once summer ended, a roster spot was available with Team NC. I was thrilled to be able to join them and had an amazing fall!
Do you have any suggestions for training methods or apps and why? Making sure you focus on your mental game as well as physical is a big one. Your mentality throughout the game and the way you handle adversity is so important. Over the last year, I have focused on this part my game. A couple of things I have done for mental training includes meditation and visualization. This, along with journaling a few times a week in which I include five things I’m grateful for and five affirmations has really transformed my approach and overall game. The journal and idea were given to (me) by Jonathon Eaton, who owns a facility I train in, the Foxhole. Another thing I’ve found to be valuable is focusing on strength and conditioning. I lift and train two days a week with my trainer, Tom Belmaggio, and I also lift and condition weekly with my high school team. I have seen a huge improvement in my strength and speed.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? Summer of 2022 was my first PGF Nationals and it was also my first trip to California. I had a great experience, learned some valuable lessons and focused on my mental game. I really loved California as well. My team made a strong run before losing to Georgia Impact-Janney. I am so excited to go back this summer!
What was your favorite fall tournament/event and why? My favorite fall tournament was Diamond Direction in South Carolina. We played solid competition and received lots of exposure. We went 4-1. This was my first tournament with Team NC-Hinde and I felt like it really set the tone for how the rest of my fall went. I contributed a .400 batting average and hit two home runs!
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? (Birmingham) Thunderbolts 18U-Rocky.
Can you tell us about your decision to commit to James Madison? After wrapping up my summer and heading into September 1st, I had my hopes and expectations very high for this day and it wasn’t exactly what I had anticipated after playing with a national team that had a huge following all summer. I was contacted by a few schools, but none that were on my list. After September 1st, I stayed the course and continued attending camps and emailing. I had multiple options on the table, but the coaches of these schools decided to go a different way. In each of these moments, while I was crushed, I never gave up. As my high school coach, Nikki Beek, says, “Lili has been a fighter since the 5th grade.” Turns out those moments were a blessing in disguise. The process and journey had been full of many highs and lows, but I never wavered and continued to work with Coach Kevin and tried to stay patient. I saw posts daily on ’24s committing. James Madison was my first camp of 2023. The day before camp, I had a meeting with Coach (Loren) LaPorte that included a tour of their amazing facilities and beautiful campus. My Dad and I also attended a men’s basketball game. I immediately felt at home. After a discussion with my parents and the coaches as well as spending some time around some of team, I knew this was it. It was a when you know, you know kind of moment! I’m so grateful and thankful for Coach Kevin in believing me and Coach LaPorte, Coach (Jennifer) Herzig, and Coach (Libby) Bowman for giving me the opportunity to play at the highest level!
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I’m interested in a future in STEM, most likely chemistry. I am taking Calculus and AP Chemistry this year and I really enjoy them.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Montana Fouts. Montana went to East Carter, which is about 25 minutes from my house. East Carter is a member of my school’s Region as well. Seeing a player from my area do such big things was really inspiring to me. My 6th grade year, I had the opportunity to watch her play during her senior season and even met her. She was kind and told me she wanted me to achieve my dreams just like she was achieving hers.
What’s the best hype song and why? I don’t have a specific hype song, but my pregame ritual is to listen to Taylor Swift and Tyler Childers. I’ve done this since my 7th-grade year when I first started playing high school softball.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is “The Office.” Every episode is hilarious!
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I can play the acoustic guitar! I started playing when I was 8 years old.
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