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Here’s our TLI for Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: KYLIE FRANKS
Purdue-committed 2023 SS/OF/3B Kylie Franks recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Fusion 18U National-Unruh/Greenwood, lifting, cover more ground, PGF Nationals, Georgia Impact-Caymol, Purdue, teaching, Sis Bates, Tyla Yaweh, “Outer Banks” and juggling.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Kylie Franks
Hometown: Lanesville, IN
High School: Floyd Central High
Club Team: Fusion 18U National-Unruh/Greenwood
Graduation Year: 2023
Height: 5-foot-4
Position: SS/OF/3B
Nickname: Frankie
Twitter: @KylieFranks2023
Honors: Golden Glove (2021), Defensive Player of the Year (2021), All-GPA Team (2021), IHSAA HHC All-Conference Team (2021), News and Tribune All-Area Team (2021), Team Captain (2021), Sportsmanship Award (2022), All-GPA Team (2022) and News and Tribune All-Area Team (2022).
Travel Ball Highlights: Runner-up at Triple Crown East Coast Summer Nationals (2022); champions at Triple Crown East Coast Summer Nationals (2021); and Atlanta Legacy champions (2021).
Travel Ball Summer Stats: .260 AVG, .364 OBP, 6 doubles, 2 HRs and 12 SBs.
High School Stats: .469 AVG, .538 OBP, 1.201 OPS, 13 doubles, 2 HRs, 23 RBIs, 36 runs and 17 SBs.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have played my entire travel career for Fusion. I am a member of the 18U National Unruh/Greenwood team, which is one of the founding teams in the organization that is currently celebrating its 10-year anniversary. After making the 8U All-Star team for our local league, our team formed a Fusion 2005 travel team and I have been in the organization ever since. It is really cool to have two softball All-Americans on the coaching staff (Carmyn Greenwood and Paige Murphy).
What are some of your training methods/training routine? I currently lift four days a week and work on sprint training the fifth day. In the lifts, I focus on overall strength and rotational movements. I take swings five days a week and work on glove work and throwing four days a week. I also take hitting and fielding lessons. After every tournament, I review the game videos of all my at-bats and every play to see what I can do to improve.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? For this fall, I have been working with (Fusion 18U National Coach) Ryan Greenwood on creating a rhythm and picking the correct hop. This focus will help me cover more ground, be smooth and make the tougher plays to help my team compete.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals/Alliance Nationals this summer? I’m looking forward to my first trip out to compete in PGF against the best in the country next summer.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? We have played GA Impact-Caymol multiple times in the last year. The games are always super competitive, and the game outcome typically comes down to one play. They are tough because they have a very talented pitching staff.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Purdue? I was born and raised a Purdue fan since my dad is an Alumni. The summer before 7th grade, I was a member of the Indiana All-Stars team that made it to the Little League World Series in Portland, Oregon. During the Midwest Regionals, our All-Star team had the opportunity to visit and tour the incredible Bittinger Stadium, the softball team locker room and Purdue’s campus. After that day, I knew that I wanted Purdue to be my home. I attended multiple camps at Purdue and l loved the coaching staff and developed an instant connection with the players.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? In college, I plan on studying elementary education. Currently as a senior in high school, my school has a cadet teaching program that allows us to travel to a local elementary school for one hour, four days a week to assist the teacher with teaching elementary students. I am currently cadet teaching a 1st-grade class with the teacher I had in kindergarten. I have chosen this career path because I think it will be very awesome to make an impact on students’ lives.
Who is your sports hero and why? My biggest sports hero is Sis Bates. She plays my primary position and is my size. The energy she brings to the field is unmatched. I love the way she plays the game and she inspires me to be like her.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Stuntin’ on You” by Tyla Yaweh (feat. DaBaby) is my hype song. That is my walkup song for high school.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I enjoy watching “Outer Banks” on Netflix. I like how the show pulls you in and I can’t wait for the next episode to see what happens. I am excited for the release of Season 3.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret talent is juggling. A few years ago, my coach challenged the team to learn how to juggle to work on hand-eye coordination. I started practicing and continued to work and now I am pretty good.
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