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Here’s our TLI for Monday, Oct. 24, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: SHELBY MCKENZIE
Florida State-committed 1B/3B/P Shelby McKenzie, #4 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, hitting off better pitchers, PGF Nationals, Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy, pediatric nurse, Florida State, Dansby Swanson, Lil Baby, “Grey’s Anatomy” and baking.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Shelby McKenzie
Hometown: Pace, Fl
High School: Pace High
Club Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts 18U Premier
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-8
Position: 1B/3B/P
Nickname: N/A
Twitter: @Shelbymc9bolts
Honors: #4 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100.
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: .412 AVG, 47 hits, .492 OBP, .640 SLG, 1.133 OPS, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 4 HRs, 34 runs, 42 RBIs and .987 fielding percentage.
High School Highlights/Stats: .495 AVG, .569 OBP, 1.000 SLG, 1.579 OPS, 49 hits, 11 doubles, 13 HRs, 39 runs, 41 RBIs and 1.00 fielding percentage.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have been with the Birmingham Thunderbolts since I was 9 years old. I tried out for them because they were the best team in the Southeast and I knew some of the players on the older teams.
What are some of your training methods/training routine? I work out four times a week with my personal trainer, Andy Dalgleish. I hit at my local facility, The Clubhouse, twice a week with some of my high school teammates. Also, I go over to Orange Beach for a hitting lesson with Jody Hodo, my hitting instructor since I was 10 years old, once a week.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? Now that I am playing 18U this fall, I am working on hitting off of better pitchers.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? I always look forward to going to California for PGF Nationals each year. The weather was amazing and I had a great time with my teammates.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Our toughest opponent was Beverly Bandits (Premier)-Conroy. We lost a great game to them, 2-1, which put us in the loser’s bracket for PGF Nationals this past summer.
What areas are you interested in for future occupations and why? I plan on studying nursing at FSU and I want to focus on pediatrics.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Florida State? After going to several FSU camps and getting to know the program, I found out that I love the coaching staff. They have a great nursing program and they have recruited players that will continue their success towards additional national championships.
Who is your sports hero and why? Dansby Swanson because now we both share the tomahawk chop.
What’s the best hype song and why? “Yes Indeed” by Lil Baby because it it a great song to listen to before a game.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Grey’s Anatomy” because I want to be a nurse.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I’m really good at baking.
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