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Here’s our TLI for Monday, May 23, 2022:
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EXTRA SPOTLIGHT: AVA HODO
C/3B Ava Hodo, #2 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball after helping Orange Beach High, AL, win a second consecutive AHSAA Class 2A state championship on Saturday, about Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2025-Kemp, Orange Beach High, playing against older players, Paige Halstead, burritos and walk-off dingers…
EXTRA SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Ava Hodo
Hometown: Orange Beach, AL
High School: Orange Beach High
Club Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2025-Kemp
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: C/3B
Nickname: Just Ava
Twitter: @2026Ava
Honors: State All-Tournament Team (2021); All-County Varsity (2021); All-State Varsity (2021); Coastal High School Terrific 20 (2021); and #2 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100.
Travel Ball Highlights: PGF 12U Platinium Runner-Up (2020); PGF 14U Platinum national champion (2021); Fall Stats (four tournaments) — .375 AVG, .556 OBP, 1.306 OPS, 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs and 13 BBs.
High School Highlights: 2A state champion (2021) and 2A state champion (2022); 2022 Stats — .517 AVG, .594 OBP, 1.500 OPS, 34 hits, 16 doubles, 1 triples, 9 HRs, 51 RBIs and 21 BBs.
How long have you played with the Thunderbolts organization?
I have been with the Birmingham Thunderbolts since I was 11. My Dad coached a team called Southern Spirit when I was little. We had a great team, but a few of us were younger. When they aged up, we had the opportunity to join the Bolts and play 12U with them and we took it. I love the Bolts! My team is like a family.
Most of us have been playing together for years. I think what sets us apart are the Rocky (Thompson) camps. I love all of the training that I get from the coaches there. We work really hard on fundamentals and softball IQ. It’s never easy but I know I get better every time I get to train with Coach Rocky!
Can you talk about your experience with Orange Beach High varsity softball this season?
School ball has a different feel. It’s fun getting to play with my friends from school and in front of all of my family, friends, teachers and community. The City of Orange Beach has been really supportive of our program. It’s amazing. I’m one of the youngest on our varsity team, but our culture is so awesome. When we step on the field, nobody cares what grade you are in. If you can play, you can play. That’s it! We are there to win!
Back ✌️Back State Champions🏆🏆 for these 3!!! @daiglewilson with the walk off!! And the battery of @2026Ava & @FavorsGrace with a fantastic performance!!!! @FavorsGrace named Tournament MVP⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️@Los_Stuff @KyleParmley @BrenttEads pic.twitter.com/5DtxFmatmq
— Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2025-Kemp (@thunderbolts07) May 21, 2022
How do you approach playing older girls?
I think that I play with older girls just like I would play with anyone. I was 7 when I started playing 10U so I have always been playing up with girls who were older than me. I just try to show them that I can compete. I don’t feel like they treat me differently. We also practice with all ages at the Bolts camps. I get to catch and take BP off of every age up to the 18s at camp. I have no doubt that those experiences help me grow as a player.
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