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 info@extrainningsoftball.com, los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, May 10, 2023:
*****
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: KATELYN DUNAKIN
Uncommitted RHP/1B Katelyn Dunakin, #40 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Power Surge-Walling, Aliso Niguel High, Alliance Nationals, Top Gun Invitational, Mission Viejo, future college, sports psychology, Michael Jordan, Ozzy Osbourne, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Office” and “New Girl” and juggling.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Katelyn Dunakin
Hometown: Aliso Viejo, CA
High School: Aliso Niguel High
Club Team: Power Surge 18U Gold-Walling
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-11
Position: RHP/1B
Nickname: Katie or “Dunny”
Twitter: @KDunakin2024
Honors: #40 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100; # 27 Pitcher/Duo in the Class of 2024; invitee to OnDeck Rosetta Canyon Jamboree (2021 & 2022); (Triple Crown) Colorado Sparkler 18U Future Stars TV Game (2022); Triple Crown Nationals 2022 All-Tournament selection (2022); All-South Coast League (2022); 2nd Team All-CIF-SS Division 2 (2022); and Aliso Niguel High’s Future Star Award (2022).
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: Zoom Into June/Colorado Sparkler Power Pool/Alliance Nationals — (Pitching) 33.2 IP; 2.67 ERA; 1.41 WHIP; (Batting) .588 AVG, 1.424 OPS.
High School Highlights/Stats: Pitching — 12-1, 65 IP, 1.94 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 8 BBs, 41 Ks; Batting — 26 games, 77 ABs, 506 AVG, 1.443 OPS, 7 HRs and 31 RBIs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? Last spring, based on the recommendation of my pitching coach, I connected with Coach Steve Walling of Power Surge. We met and both felt it was a good fit for me to join his 18U team. The team is based in San Diego, is a smaller organization where everyone knows each other, but has also always been very strong. Here in So Cal, everyone knows Power Surge. Our team has a great group of athletes. We have been able to compete at some of the best national tournaments throughout the summer and fall of 2022. We are really looking forward to summer 2023!
Tell us about your high school team and how you are doing? Aliso is having a great 2023 season. I have known and played with most of my teammates from the start. Most of us now play for different travel teams, so it is great to get back together! South Coast League champions, the first time since 2018. Our record is 23-4 and we just won our first game in Round 1 of Division 3 CIF-SS. Just getting started!
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals last summer? It was fun going to Indiana for the first time and also playing teams from around the country. For this tournament, we were a young 18U team. Most of the team was made up of 2024s. Many of our committed players didn’t make the trip. For me personally, it was fun playing against amazing talent and seeing where players were committed.
What tournament/showcase/event are you looking forward to this summer and why? Our first travel tournament is Top Gun (Invitational) in Kansas City. It was so much fun last summer playing against teams from the Midwest, South and East Coast. It is a nice change of pace from teams and players we compete against in Southern California.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Personally, my second high school game against Mission Viejo was an intense must-win game. Aliso had not beaten Mission since before I arrived, so it had been a while. All the players have played against each other for years. They are a huge league rival. Great players set to play in college for both teams. It is personal. We had a great team win with a score of 4-1. I pitched 7 innings. When it is against teams and players, you know, as friends and rivals, it is always tough and special.
What are you looking for in a future college? I want to find the right fit and second home. A strong sports culture is a huge plus. I love sports! I have played lots of different sports and love going to games and being a part of games both as a player and as a fan.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am most interested in psychology with an emphasis on youth and potentially sports psychology.
Who is your sports hero and why? Michael Jordan is one of my favorites. His drive is amazing. He knows what he wants and is unapologetic about it. He has dominated the sports world between his basketball ability and marketing reach.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne. In 8U, my first team ever, we had walk-up songs. I picked “Crazy Train.” It stuck.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? It is a three-way tie between “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Office” and “New Girl.” “Grey’s” keeps me coming back for all the drama. “The Office” and “New Girl” allow me to pick up any episode anytime and have some cringe-worthy laughs.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? Juggling. I am not sure when it started, but softballs are typically three items that I always have around.
Get a subscription to read the rest of this story …
