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Here’s our TLI for Monday, Sept. 12, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: RUBY MEYLAN
Washington-bound RHP Ruby Meylan, #14 in the 2022 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Nebraska Gold 18U National-Singleton, leadership, transitioning, PGF Nationals, Birmingham Thunderbolts, business, Wayne Meylan, Eminem, sports documentaries and cooking.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Ruby Meylan
Hometown: Omaha, NE
High School: Skutt Catholic High
Club Team: Nebraska Gold 18U National-Singleton
Graduation Year: 2022
Height: 6-foot-1
Position: P
Nickname: Ru, Rubes
Twitter: @rubymeylan
Honors: Four-time All-Conference; three-time Academic All-Conference; Academic All-State; three-time All-State; two-time Super State; MaxPreps Nebraska Player of The Year (2021); Nebraska Gatorade Player of The Year (2021); two-time PGF All-American; Nebraska state champion (2020 and 2021); and PGF 18U Premier national champion (2021).
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: Batting — .393 AVG, 46 RBIs and 18 HRs; Pitching — 153.2 IP: 153.2, 1.18 ERA and 236 Ks.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I began playing for Nebraska Gold in 8th grade. I really wanted to play for a club who was going to challenge me and help me become the best player and person I can be. I played for them through my last club season, which just ended, and they truly were the best years of my life.
What do you bring to the team? I pitched a lot of innings and hit in the 4 spot for my team. I also brought leadership and energy that got the team going when we needed it most.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? I am focusing on the transition from high school to college softball. I am looking to improve on both hitting and pitching before my first college season.
Can you tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals this summer? PGF is always such an amazing experience. This year, we placed 5th. The goal was to take home the trophy for the second year in a row, but we fell just a little bit short of that. At first, it hurt really bad, knowing we didn’t finish the way we wanted to. Now, I am at terms with it. I realized how many people doubted a small group of girls from Omaha, Nebraska. After our 2021 run, most people thought we were done. We proved to the club softball world that Nebraska Gold is one of the top clubs in the nation. I am extremely proud of us for doing what we did not only at PGF, but the entire summer.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? Our toughest opponent was the Birmingham Thunderbolts, who beat us at PGF. Their pitcher was very talented and we couldn’t put together runs.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am majoring in business, but I want to play softball for as long as I can.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is my grandfather, Wayne Meylan. I never got to meet him, but the stories I have heard about him are a big reason why I am the way I am. He played football at the University of Nebraska and was a two-time All-American and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings. I have heard countless stories about his work ethic, competitive edge and determination. I want to be just like him.
What’s the best hype song and why? I like any Eminem song to listen to before games because when I was growing up, my dad would take me to my practices and games and we would always listen to Eminem. I continue to do it to this day.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I don’t really watch TV, but I love inspiring sports documentaries.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I’m pretty good at cooking.
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