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Here’s our TLI for Monday, Nov. 28, 2022:
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CLUB SPOTLIGHT: TEXAS THUNDERBOLTS PREMIER 2024-WHIDDON
Coach Anna Whiddon helped Bombers HTX Gold National-Whiddon to a 17th-place finish at the Alliance Nationals this past summer before joining the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization in the fall. Her team is now known at Texas Thunderbolts Premier 2024-Whiddon and they have quickly developed into one of the top first-year 16U teams in the country.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT Q&A
When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be? We transitioned to the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization this fall and are now known as Texas Thunderbolts Premier 2024. We are previously known as Bombers HTX Gold National.
Where are you based? Houston, Texas.
What was the purpose of creating the team? Our main purpose is to showcase our athletes and offer them the tools to reach the next level. Although winning is important, we focus on molding great athletes and young women. We play the toughest competition at high-level tournaments both in and out of state.
What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events? 20-4 on the season. Top-5 finish at Gold Cup. 5-0 at Ronald McDonald, 5-0 Birmingham 5-Star Exposure. AFL Championships in Chino, CA, birth. (Triple Crown) Nationals invite.
What makes the organization unique? I think what makes our team unique is we are coached by two former softball players.
What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team? Anna Whiddon, played at OSU from 2006-2010. Thirteen years head high school coach, six years select coaching.
Taylor Harper, won a NJCAA national championship at Angelina College and has been coaching select for six years.
How many teams are there in the organization overall? We are the first Texas branch of the Bolts organization
Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history? I think (recently) in Birmingham was a big test. Playing against some of the best the country has to offer and our kids did more than hold their own.
What is your primary focus or goal with this team? We would like to win a big nationally-recognized tournament.
What do you think are the strengths of the team? Consistent pitching and most of our team hits for a high average.
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be? I think two things separate us from other programs. 1. Our coaches. Our kids get great instruction from two females, who are highly invested in the sport. And 2. Our kids are all very driven and have great chemistry.
Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization? The US Club ranking just came out and ranked us as top 26.
ROSTER
Haley Noska (2024, LHP, uncommitted, new to our roster this fall. She’s a crafty lefty who spins and places the ball well. She has put up great numbers this season with a 1.80 ERA and 45 Ks with only 9 BBs in 41 IP. Haley won a TAPPS state championship for her high school in 2021, (she was injured for the 2022 High school season) and is currently her class valedictorian)
Allison Lytle (2024, RHP/1B, uncommitted, also new to the fall roster. She touches in the low 60s and changes speeds with ease. She has put up some incredible numbers this fall (54 IP, 3 ER, 19 BB, 45Ks, 0.39 ERA, 54 LOB). She’s like having an additional shortstop on the field, as she has 37 Putouts from the circle with a 1.000 fielding percentage. She also maintains a spot in the lineup, batting .395)
Ava Jolley (2024, UT, uncommitted, new to the 2022 fall roster. She’s a true utility player. She plays a great corner defense and has the speed to play the outfield. She is very athletic with a strong arm)
Lilly Laney (2024, OF, McLennan Community College, a lockdown outfielder with a massive arm to hold runners accountable trying to take extra bases. She swings for a high average and is a consistent hitter)
Alyson Higginbotham (2024, SS, Tarleton State, a big-time addition to the fall roster, and she’s an incredible shortstop with high range. She’s also a natural leader and a great team player. She makes several big-time heads-up plays. She also won a 5A high school state championship for Lake Creek High School in 2022)
Ella Boyer (2025, C/3B, uncommitted, a top-level defender. She keeps runners at bay when behind the plate; throwing out 12 of 13 attempted steals and has 4 pickoffs. She fielded .958 from 3B. At the plate, she is what many would say one of the best hitters in the country. This fall, she put up 10 HRs and 37 RBIs in just 24 games with a 1.151 SLG)
Ella Howard (2025, OF, uncommitted, has developed into one of the best center fielders in the country. She has the speed to run the ball down in the gap and the arm strength to hold runners down. She is a crafty slapper who utilizes all of her tools well)
Tristan Hopkins (2025, UT, uncommitted, a true utility, who fills into many rolls. She is an incredible right fielder with excellent gap range. She also has the ability to transition to the infield or behind the plate anytime needed. She is a left-handed power hitter and led the team in average this season at .486. The most impressive stat is she only has one strikeout on the season)
Jaylie Miller (2025, C, uncommitted, has some of the most developed receiving mechanics at this level. She is an excellent blocker and defender. She put up big numbers at the plate this season showing consistent power with a .451 AVG, .500 OBP and 14 RBIs)
Kamryn Mears (2025, 1B/RHP, uncommitted. she’s known for her glove work and stretches at first base. She is a great defender on the corner. In the circle, she is consistent in the low 60s. At the plate, she swings for power with a .378 AVG and multiple clutch RBIs)
Allison Burkhalter (2025, RHP/2B, uncommitted, new to the fall 2022 roster. She is quick and speedy with a ton of range at 2B. In the circle, she is in the high 50s with sneaky movement on her pitches. She is rapidly improving at the plate, finishing the season with a .379 AVG)
Katherine Golden (2025, OF, uncommitted, a super athlete, she has first class speed and the strength to go with it. She has a ton of range in the outfield and gets phenomenal reads on balls in the gap. She finished the season with a .353 AVG at the plate)
Aubrey Murillo (2026, MIF/OF, uncommitted, she has one of the best gloves. She is fast and reads the ball well; gets to a lot of balls you don’t see many kids get to. She’s a lefty slapper with the ability to run out a bunt, but can also drive the ball in the gap. She has 33 runs scored and 12 stolen bases on the season)
Kaylea Foster (2026, UT, uncommitted, she has a ton of athletic ability. She is fast, quick, strong and has above-average arm strength. She has the speed to play the OF and the quickness for middle infield. She can also get behind the plate when needed.
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