Skylar Elkins is both talented and intelligent beyond her age. The 2022 catcher/utility already has offers from Big 10 and ACC schools and is bound to have more rolling in at any moment.

"Skylar is mature beyond her years," Georgia Impact National '02 head coach Brittany Lewis said. "She lives and breathes the game of softball. Skylar's mental game is stronger than athletes much much older. This 2022 has been on my team for over a year and plays an age group above her own due to her ability. She knows the game in and out and that is what makes her a beast behind the plate."

Sounds easy, right? Unfortunately, that wasn't always the case for Elkins, who had to overcome a few challenges in order to settle into her role as a young powerhouse on an older team.

"I did lose some friends because I moved up with older girls," Elkins said. "I have had girls say things about me being handed everything and that I haven't had to work for it because I wear Georgia Impact. One day I broke down crying. I called my coach, and after talking with her, I have never looked back."

Coach Lewis has given Elkins the ability to blossom on a team full of top notch talent. How? Well for one, she allows her players to find what works best for them -- even if that means messing up a few times.

"I work extremely hard to be fit for the position I have," Elkins said. "I never settle and I'm always working to get better. Knowing my pitchers is also a strong part of my game. I take time to learn them, their pitches, their body language, and develop relationships with them. Because of that, I started calling my own game this past summer. I have made a few mistakes, but my coaches are great because they let me mess up and then learn from the mistakes."

Elkins is a leader and communication machine for her team. She swings the bat with confidence and extreme power which allows her to bat leadoff and average close to .450. Her speed also comes in clutch for the Impact: she has the most stolen bases on the team and runs a 2.9 home-to-first.


Even though her coach considers her the top 2022 player in the country, Elkins will continue to grow and get even better at the game. She has learned a lot through the softball in the past couple of years.

"I learned you cannot satisfy everybody in your life and you will truly figure out who your friends are in this world," Elkins said. "I will keep grinding towards my goals and I am thankful for those people that understand and support me."



Name: Skylar Elkins
Grad Year: 2022
Positions: Catcher/UT
Hometown: Locust Grove, GA
Club Team: Georgia Impact National 02-Lewis
High School: Locust Grove High School
Current School: Locust Grove Middle School

What are some of your top accomplishments?
In school: I am on the All-A honor roll and received the "most athletic" award.
Softball: We have a lot of team accomplishments. I think my personal biggest accomplishment was getting offered this summer. It makes all my hard work worth it.

When did you start playing softball? How did it happen?
I started playing when I was 5. It all started because my dad played baseball when he was younger and so he put me in tee ball. I fell in love and have played ever since.

Do you come from a family with a background in sports? If so, what sports did they play?
My mom was never into sports. My dad played baseball for a long time and was a pitcher. He threw his shoulder out during a game and never could play again. He told me when I was little that he wanted me to be active and so he signed me up for ball. The rest is history!

What is the strongest part of your softball game and why?
I think the strongest part of my game is the physical side. I work extremely hard to be fit for the position I have. I never settle and I'm always working to get better.


What was the highlight of your summer and why?
The highlight of my summer was getting offers from one Big 10 school and one ACC school. I saw all the work that I put in daily paying off. I also loved getting to see one of my teammates get offered on one of the same visits I was on. I loved experiencing it with my family, coaches, and teammates and celebrating with everyone.

Describe your recruiting experience so far. What schools have you visited? Has it been stressful, exciting, overwhelming, etc.?
My recruiting experience so far has been exciting. I have gotten to see different places and talk to many coaches. I have been able to start seeing what I like in schools and what I don't. I have visited Michigan State and have a visit set up to Auburn this month and UGA in October. I also plan to visit Syracuse soon. Not many people get to experience all this stuff as a young kid so it is exciting.

What are the key things you're looking for in a school?
In a school, I am looking for a good education. I want to be a lawyer. In a program, I am looking for good relationships between the coaches and the players. I want to be a part of a team where we hang out off the field. I also would like to be a part of a program that honors God and at least prays before every game if not more (devotions, Athletes in Action, FCA, etc.). Family is important to me as well. The school I choose doesn't have to be close to home, but I would like for my family to be able to see me play some.

What was the most challenging moment/time in your softball career? Why? How did you overcome those challenges?
The most challenging time in my softball career physically happened a few years ago. I used to throw sidearm. It took me a long time to get out of it. I had to throw a lot with my dad in the front yard and I had to use a rubber band and bring it over the top of my shoulder. It took three months and I finally started throwing correctly.

The most challenging thing overall would be when I decided to play up with the team I am currently on . . . an 02 team. I am the youngest kid on the team. When I first joined all I had in my mind was that I had to prove myself to my coach and to my team. I was going to make the best of the year and see how I liked it. It has been the best decision I ever made. I have been around the best coaches and teammates and I have received looks and offers I don't think I would have gotten if I stayed down.

Who has had the most impact on your softball career? Why?
My biggest supporter is my dad. He is always there and he enjoys doing what I love. He is in it for me, not for him. We have our ups and downs but I know at the end of the day he will be there for me and I know I can rely on him. He has pushed me harder than I thought I could go. He is a big reason I got through all the hate and doubt from others.

The person who has impacted me in softball the most has been my coach, Brittany Lewis. Other than teaching the game, she has taught me to trust God and that through Him I can be successful. She tells me to always keep grinding and never settle . . . even when others try to bring you down. You have to stand tall and fight.

Quickfire Questions

Nicknames:
Country, Pudd, and Juicy Jr.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
About 5-10 minutes before every game I talk to my dad because he keeps me calm. I also repeat "you won't beat me" in my head while I am in the box and just think about hitting it right back up the middle.

Favorite quote or mantra you live by?
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." -Philippians 4:13

Best advice you've been give?
If you give it, you better be ready to receive it.

Last song you listened to?
"For Her" by Chris Lane.

If you could spend the weekend with anyone doing anything anywhere in the world, what would you do?
I would be on the field playing ball with my closest friends . . . and having a smoothie from Smoothie King after!

Describe yourself in one word on the field . . . and off the field:
On: Bulldog
Off: Selfless

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