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There was a lot of amazing talent last week at the Top Club National and one who really impressed me was 2020 grad Bailey Dowling, the middle infielder for the Georgia Impact – Lewis 18U team.
In a semi-final win to get the Impact to the 18U title game (a 1-0 loss to A’s – Mercado/Smith), she smashed two home runs, went 3-for-3 and knocked in seven runs. Bailey is 5-foot-10 and plays a solid shortstop and with all the tools: she has the size, strength and fluidity of a major college player now!
And it’s not like Bailey’s an unknown commodity, either; on June 10th it was announced that she repeated as the Illinois Gatorade Softball Player of the Year and last fall she helped the U19 USA Softball team win a world championship as she hit six home runs then for Team USA. And she’s tied for #2 in the 2020 Extra Elite 100 rankings!
Speaking of dingers, Bailey set an Illinois state mark with 65 career home runs in her career… and that was without playing a complete senior season for St. Joseph-Ogden High!
One of a trio of Alabama players on the Impact roster—the others are pitcher Alex Salter (2020) and outfielder Dallis Goodnight (2021)—Bailey was profiled last November as part of our Extra Star Power series—you can read more about her below (a convenient Throwback Thursday piece as well!).
First, though, here’s my two-minute interview with this outstanding talent from last weekend in Oklahoma City…
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Extra Star Power: Bama-Bound Bailey Dowling Brings Team USA Experience to Georgia Impact
Originally published Nov. 3, 2019
Alabama-bound 2020 SS Bailey Dowling was unable to play for Georgia Impact Premier-Lewis this past summer because she was dropping bombs on international competition for Team USA’s U-19 Junior National Team.
“I was able to travel around the world last summer with the 19U JWNT,” Dowling said. “We traveled to Paris and played in the first International Softball Game in Ireland. Our team placed third in the USA Women’s International Cup and took home the gold medal in the 19U World Cup. Playing on a team with girls who just finished playing in the Women’s College World Series was amazing.”
“Also, playing against the Women’s USA Team was definitely a highlight. Standing in the batter’s box with Monica Abbott on the mound was a definitely a moment I’ll never forget. Hitting back-to-back home runs in the bronze medal game against the Scrap Yard International pro team is also a highlight of my summer. I’m thankful for the opportunity to represent my country and wear USA across my chest all summer.”
Alabama-bound 2020 RHP Alex Salter is happy to have Dowling back in the lineup for Georgia Impact, which won the PGF 18U Premier national title in 2018 and finished as runner-up in 2019 and in the future when they go on to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“Bailey has the type of personality that makes you want to be around her,” Salter said. “She is outgoing and friendly and genuine. I know from the moment I met her we would be lifelong friends. She is a difference maker on the field.”
“She has confidence and an amazing ability to read the situation and react to the play. I love having Bailey on the field with me. She always has my back. Her strength at the plate is a huge asset to the team. I know good things will happen when she steps in the batter box. She is full of energy and confidence. I am extremely excited to share our next journey as teammates at Alabama! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!”
Florida-committed 2021 OF Cali Decker is in awe of the 5-foot-10 Dowling’s explosiveness.
“Bailey Dowling is an amazing player and teammate,” Decker said. “She is a leader in everything she does and always works hard. She has a bat like no other, and she is a stud in the field. I’m super excited to take on the summer with her this year. She’s a complete powerhouse.”
Washington-bound 2020 SS Raigan Barrett said Dowling, who will be ranked in the top 5 in the 2020 Extra Elite 100, pushes everyone around her to be better.
“Well, first off, she is an absolute stud and hits bombs,” Barrett said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone hit the ball so far not only in BP, but in games as well. She is the sweetest person ever. One of the coolest things about Bailey is she gets so excited for the success of her teammates. She is the first one to hype you up. She is also extremely hard working and definitely pushes me and the rest of them team to get better.”
*** Go inside “Extra Star Power” to learn more about one of the top 2020 prospects in the nation.
*** NOTE: Click on the words in Bold to discover hidden links!