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Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, May 9, 2023:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: EMONI LAM SAM
Uncommitted 3B/1B Emoni Lam Sam, #2 in the 2026 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Firecrackers Premier-RTY, Long Beach Poly, PGF Nationals, Top Gun Invitational, competition, future college, kinesiology, Jocelyn Alo, The Dove Shack and “All American.”
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Emoni Lam Sam
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
High School: Long Beach Poly High
Club Team: Firecrackers Premier-RTY 16U
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-4
Position: 3B/1B
Nickname: E-Money or Money Girl
Twitter: @Elamsam_23
Travel Ball Highlights/Fall Stats: .470 OBP, 1.279 OPS, .830 SLG, 21 HRs and 20 BBs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I currently play for Firecrackers Premier-RTY 16U. I joined the team in the beginning of the fall season of 2022. Being a 2026 Freshman, I know surrounding myself around great talent with a great coaching staff will help me get the exposure I need to showcase my talent in this game of softball. This is a great team with a great coaching staff that consists of Head Coach Randy Yuge, assistant coaches Gerry Serrano and April Zamorano. We have a lot of great talent on this team across the board with girls who have the same passion as I have for this game.
Tell us about your high school team and how you are doing? I am one of three starting freshman on the Varsity Softball team at Long Beach Poly High, where I also play 3B. High School softball is definitely a different experience than travel ball. I’m doing pretty well in High School and trying to stay consistent with my offensive production as well as making plays on defense. In High School, I get to play alongside my family, Tiare and Kiele Ho-Ching, because in travel we are always playing against each other. We are currently in the playoffs and we look forward to making a great run to win it all.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals last summer? PGF has always been a great experience for me since second year 10’s to second year 14’s last summer. I played with Wildcats-WKT last summer at PGF. We didn’t do as well as we would have liked last summer as a team, but the great memories we created on and off the field are second to none. I will take those great times we had last summer and cherish it.
What tournament/showcase/event are you looking forward to this summer and why? I am excited for this upcoming summer as we will be competing in Kansas City for the Top Gun Invitational, Oklahoma Top Club National championship, and (Triple Crown) Colorado Sparkler. I’m looking forward to competing in the Power Pool showcase Game in Colorado against some of the best, talented athletes in the country and get the opportunity to represent my 16u Firecracker Premier team. I’m also excited to be a part of the (Triple Crown) International Challenge where I will be playing with Team Polynesia. I am blessed with the opportunity to represent Team Polynesia and just getting the opportunity to play alongside many of my Polynesian sisters around the softball world.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? In travel ball, I feel like every team is a good team and shouldn’t be taken lightly. We just need to play our game and compete at a high level at all times.
What are you looking for in a future college? I’m looking for a college where I will be able to continue to play at a high level, that is family-orientated and where I am able to further my educational goals.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I want to be a business major, I want to one day own my own business and be my own boss. I also might want to major in Kinesiology as well.
Who is your sports hero and why? Jocelyn Alo. Her story is just inspiring and being Polynesian leads me to believe I can achieve greatness.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Summertime in the LBC” by The Dove Shack, because it’s one of the songs I grew up listening to. Love playing this song before games, especially before my High School games.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “All American,” because I can relate to what the athletes on that show go through as far as education and sports. The main character portrays hard work and grit to be the best player and best version of one’s self.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I really don’t have a secret talent.
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