From August 1-3, 2015, we were able to see 10 of the top hitters in softball on and off the field as part of the Louisville Slugger Hit Club.

The three-day event included activities like an on-field competition, trips to Disneyland and a Dodgers vs. Angels MLB game and hearing from softball dignitaries such as Sue Enquist, Jessica Mendoza plus Jen Schroeder, Katie Schroeder and Morgan Stuart of The Package Deal and renowned sports psychiatrist Ken Ravizza.

The 10 talented players, who graduated high school this summer and are heading off this month to major universities across the country, are all advanced hitters and over the next two weeks we’re going to profile one of these standouts each day (in random order).

We wrap our 10 days of profiling the participants at the Louisville Slugger Hit Club by going to Northern California and learning more about this Pac-12 player who was well-liked by everyone…

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BIO:

Player: CHERISH BURKS
Hometown: Manteca, Calif.
Club Team: All American Sports Academy
College: Oregon
Bio: 1st Team All-State by CalHiSports.com and was named the Modesto Bee Player of the Year, Cherish hit .550 with 31 RBI in the leadoff spot and was No. 16 in the 2015 Hot 100 #16, at PGF 18U Premier Nationals led her team with 5 RBI.

HIT CLUB:

Award: Best Hands
Roommate: Morganne Flores (Washington)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “Doing the Accuracy Drill (hitting into a net for points) because it was fun and I got to see that I can place the ball.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “Learn yourself.’”
Funniest person of group: “Brooke Vines (Tennessee).”
Best memory of event: “Getting to work with and learn from all the speakers.”

Hit Club scouting report: Cherish is multi-faceted in her athletic abilities and her likability off the field. She wowed everyone at the Hit Club Competition when she was recorded with the quickest bat speed in the Zepp testing as she hit 90 mph. Cherish also had the second fastest home-to-first time with a 2.67 second mark. Her teammates described her best saying, “she has so much spunk and character,” “Cherish has lots of energy!” and “she’s fun to be around and is very smiley.” Playful and refreshingly childlike in her enthusiasm for life—she wore Minnie ears, for example, to Disneyland—Cherish is compassionate and empathetic: she asked the adult leaders of the Hit Club if we were having a good time. Athletically, her potential and ceiling is unlimited and her congenial personality will make her a favorite in the dugout and clubhouse.

SOFTBALL PERSPECTIVE:

Best high school/club experience: 

“Winning Sections my senior year.”

Why did you choose Oregon?
“The beauty of the nature there, the softball program and, course, being close to Nike!”

What factors led to your choice?
“I fell in love with the school when I went to all the camps there.”

Advice to young players/recruits:
“Be patient and stay confident… you time will come.”

Best advice you’ve been given:
“Be confident and stay yourself.”

Thing looking forward to most in college:
“Competing with top-level athletes.”

Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“Eating too much!”

What do you want to do after softball ends?
“Be a Nike model! Or a firefighter.”

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“I hit to the opposite field well, but I want to work on laying off the rise ball.”

Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“Being recruited by my dream school.”

Finally, describe yourself in one word:
“Outgoing.”