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).

Our second profile takes us to the Lone Star State where we learn more about—and from—one of the top slappers in the nation…

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BIO:

Player: AUBREY LEACH
Hometown: The Woodlands, Texas
Club Team: Sudden Impact Gold
College: Tennessee
Bio: FloSoftball 1st Team All-American, speedy leadoff, hit .594 with 49 steals, Hot 100 #22; JO Cup hit safely in 5 of 6 games, first Texan ever to sign with Tennessee

HIT CLUB:

Award: Hustle Award
Roommate: Reagan Dykes (Alabama)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “Hitting with Jessica Mendoza. She gave great advice along with helping us with mental preparation and physical performance.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “Ken Ravizza told us that ‘excellence is for everyone if you choose to work for it!’”
Funniest person of group: “Amanda Lorenz (Florida)”
Best memory of event: “All of it! Especially the incredible speakers (no doubt).”
Hit Club scouting report: Aubrey is small in stature, Texas polite and one of the most personable players you’ll meet, but underneath her exterior beats the heart of a fiery competitor. She is a sophisticated slapper who understands how to break down a pitcher and an at-bat and has the speed (tied for 3^rd with a 2.69 home-to-first) to beat out anything she puts on the ground. To demonstrate her bat control, she came in second in the bunt for accuracy drill (points for hitting a cone) and blew away the field in the “bouncing ball bat tap” drill with 63 consecutive bounces of the ball off her bat. A source close to Tennessee says she’ll probably bat in the 2 hole for the Vols and you can expect her to hit for average and score a lot of runs in the competitive SEC.

SOFTBALL PERSPECTIVE:

Best high school/club experience:
“Winning Colorado!” (Sudden Impact Gold took 1^st place at the Colorado Fireworks tournament this summer)

Why did you choose Tennessee?
“The coaching principles and experience.”

What factors led into it?
“The location is great and it felt like home.”

Advice to young players/recruits:
“Work hard and stay humble.”

Best advice you’ve been given:
“Same as above!”

Thing looking forward to most in college:
“I’m looking forward to being pushed more than I ever have been.”

Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“The distance and the social calendar.”

What do you want to do after softball ends?
“I’m not sure I could leave the sport completely, but I’m going to major in pre-law.”

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“Best is the mental side; on the physical side you can always be better.”

Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“’It’s almost over!’ which is what Sue (Enquist) told us.”

Finally, describe yourself in one word:
“Hard-working.”