Louisville Slugger Hit Club Spotlight: Shay Knighten
Louisville Slugger Hit Club Spotlight: Shay Knighten
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. Shay patiently waiting her turn to hit at the Hit Club Competition.The three-day event included activities like a
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).
Today’s spotlight is on an infielder headed to the Big 12 who can do it all: play defense and hit for power and average…
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BIO:
Player: SHAY KNIGHTEN
Hometown: Buena Park, Calif
Club Team: Corona Angels
College: Oklahoma
Bio: 1st Team All-State by CalHiSports and 1st Team All-Orange County by OCSidelines.com and the Orange County Register, Shay hit .494 with 30 RBI and had only two strikeouts 102 at-bats, rated No. 5 in the 2015 Hot 100 and at PGF 18U Premier Nationals hit .333 and led the team with four RBI
HIT CLUB:
Award: Most Coachable
Roommate: Alex Sobczak (Michigan)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “Listening to Coach (Sue) Enquist.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “To trust myself and learn to be confident even when I’m not doing well.’”
Funniest person of group: “Amanda Lorenz (Florida).”
Best memory of event: “Listening to the speakers talk about how the sport of softball translates to life.”
Hit Club scouting report: Shay was one of the first invites to the Hit Club because she’s been a standout player for years at the highest level of play. Her older sister, Marjani, was a 1st Team All-Big Ten infielder at Nebraska last year and Shay has the same characteristics and potential. You can tell by her demeanor on and off the field Shay is level-headed, confident and a leader. Said her Hit Club peers: “Shay has a great sense of humor” and “she’s a total bad@$$ but was also completely selfless and kind.” With a bat in her hands, Shay is a clutch performer who elevates her game in critical situations and has the ability to hit for average and for power. She has won tournaments before with a game-deciding home run.
SOFTBALL PERSPECTIVE:
Best high school/club experience:
“Playing with a great group of girls who all share the same love and passion for the game.”
Why did you choose Oklahoma?
“It felt like home and I knew I would learn and achieve so much there.”
What factors led to your choice?
“The coaching staff and having a gut feel it was the right place for me!”
Advice to young players/recruits:
“Trust the process and never let a bad day keep you from working hard.”
Best advice you’ve been given:
“Learn from your mistakes and know you have control over your actions.”
Thing looking forward to most in college:
“Getting to—and winning—the Women’s College World Series!”
Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“Time management and exceeding expectations.”
What do you want to do after softball ends?
“I want to give back to softball and also become a pediatric doctor.”
What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“I’m good at putting pressure on the defense and getting on base. I’d like to work on hitting more line drives.”
Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“The friendships I’ve made and the people I’ve met.”
Finally, describe yourself in one word:
“Crazy!”