For the second year in a row, 10 top batters from across the nation will enjoy a three-day experience of a lifetime as they participate in the Louisville Slugger Hit Club, which partnered with PGF and will take place in Huntington Beach, California.

FloSoftball is excited to be the media platform for all things Hit Club, and we'll have more details in next few weeks including the announcement of the players who will get to benefit from on-field and off-field activities.

Last year's inaugural class included Shay Knighten of the national champion Oklahoma Sooners and NCAA Division I Freshman of the Year Amanda Lorenz with the Florida Gators.

Who will be next year's standout freshman player who will win All-American honors or even win a national championship?

So far, here's who has been announced in the exclusive group of 10 in the Hit Club:

•    Elissa Brown (Birmingham Thunderbolts)--University of Alabama
•    Nicole "Sis" Bates (Firecrackers-Rico)--University of Washington
•    Nicole Mendes (Diamond Sports Hotshots)--University of Oklahoma

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THE NEWEST HIT CLUB PLAYER IS…

Player:  HANNAH EDWARDS
Hometown: Catasauqua, Pennsylvania 
Club Team: Pennsylvania Chaos 18U Gold
College: Pittsburgh
Position(s): Outfield
Top Honors/Stats: PGF All-American, two-time FloSoftball All-American, Catasauqua High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian with a 101.26% GPA, four-time 1st Team All-State, two-time Pennsylvania "AA" High School Softball Player of the Year, 14-time High School All-American, broke six Pennsylvania High School Softball Records: career hits: 207; career runs: 15; career stolen bases: 192; single season hits: 57; single season runs: 45; single season stolen bases: 57; Senior season stats: batting average: .680 (51-75); on-base percentage: .739 (68-92); steals: 52; runs: 45 [state record]; seven intentional walks (out of 15 total walks

A CLOSER LOOK…

What was your best high school/club experience ever?
My best high school experience was winning the Colonial League Championship for the second time in school history, while also getting to represent my small hometown of Catty. My best club experience occurred when we finished second last year at the IDT Boulder tournament, but I also really enjoy traveling all around the country to play against some of the best competition at the 18U Gold level.

Why did you choose Pitt?
I chose the University of Pittsburgh because it has one of the best rehabilitation science programs in the country and it is also part of the competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. This combination of rigorous academics and athletics was the perfect fit for me. I also really loved the fact that Pittsburgh is such a sports city and my family will be able to come watch me play. I am very excited to represent my home state of Pennsylvania at Pitt!

What key factors led into the decision?
I was really focused on the academics of the university or college that I chose, because overall, that is what is most important. However, I wanted to make sure that the softball program competed at a high level as well. When I stepped onto the campus at Pitt, I immediately loved the city feel. Growing up in a very small town of around 9,000 people, I really wanted my college experience to be different. I also loved the fact that the coaching staff provides a lot of instruction, especially on slap hitting. Coach Fuchs was a slapper at PSU, and she holds the career records in stolen bases, hits, runs scored, and games played. Coach Aprile led UMass to the College World Series as a pitcher/outfielder, so she knows the mentality and work ethic to get there. I know that my game will be taken to the next level, and I will be pushed day in and day out. After meeting the coaches, players, and experiencing the atmosphere of the campus, I knew that the University of Pittsburgh was the right fit for me.

What's the funniest thing you've seen happen on a softball field?
During the middle of a game, a huge dust tornado formed in the middle of the infield, so the umpires had to call time out until it subsided.

Best movie you've seen in the last year or two?
"American Sniper"

What's playing in your earbuds right now?
Anything country!

What's your best advice to young players/recruits:
Always set your goals high and keep working as hard as you can day in and day out to reach them. Your lifestyle is going to be completely different than most of your peers around you, but if you stay dedicated and keep your priorities straight, you'll end up where you want to be in life and maybe even achieve things you didn't even imagine were possible!

Your philosophy or approach to life is…
Always put your whole heart and devotion into everything you do in life. Enjoy the process, stay in the moment, focus on the little things, but always remember where you came from.

Fill in the blank: you won't ever catch me: ___________________________________
… doing anything without giving maximum effort.
 
What do you want to do after softball ends?
After softball ends, I'd love to become a physical therapist or college coach. I always want to stay around sports because they have been a huge part of my life. The game of softball has given me so many opportunities and molded me into the individual I am today, so I'd really like to give back to the sport that I fell in love with when I was eight years old.

What is your approach to hitting?
As a slapper, it's very important to read the defense and adjust what you're going to do after each pitch. It's also important to have a good sense of confidence, focus, and grit in the box, while still managing to stick to your plan. Overall, I'm most proud of my short game.

What's something about you unique or unusual that most don't know?
When I was younger, it was my dream to play basketball at the University of Tennessee under Pat Summitt. She is truly an inspiration and one of the greatest coaches of all time. Once I realized that I wasn't going to grow any more, I came to the conclusion that basketball wasn't going to work out at the college level!

Do you have any superstitions or rituals around softball?
I am very superstitious! I wear the same bow and earrings when I play and I have a specific routine when I get into the batter's box. Between every pitch I lick my batting gloves too. Those are only some of the things I do, because the list could go on and on!

Other than family, who's a hero or someone you greatly look up to?
Derek Jeter.

Finally, describe yourself in one word on the field… and off the field:
On the field: "competitive;" off the field: "motivated."