Georgia team loaded with young, tall talent (2/9)
Georgia team loaded with young, tall talent (2/9)

As we research the top 14U teams prior to the release this week of the FAB 50 Club Rankings in that age division, we’re coming across teams that are packed with promising young players.

One of those is in Georgia and is the same organization that produced pitching phenom Kelly Barnhill, the top-ranked pitcher in the 2015 class who has repeated topped 70 mph on the radar gun, signed with the Univ. of Florida and was chosen to participate on the Jr. National Women’s Team.
Would you believe that this 14U team, East Cobb Bullets 00 – Biele—which will be playing at the PGF 14U Nationals this summer but for the majority of the season will be playing 16U tournaments and showcases—may have the “next Kelly Barnhill?”
That’s according to head coach Andrew Biele who is talking about Kelley Lynch, a 5-foot-9 2019 pitcher who he says has “Barnhill-type upside.”
But she’s not the only young phenom on the team—Coach Biele says he has a pair of tall freshmen who are also stars-in-the-making and are getting heavily recruited.
Here’s a closer look at this trio who will help make the Bullets (spoiler alert!) one of the teams in the 14U FAB 50:

— P Kelley Lynch (2019, uncommitted)
- Will be attending East Coweta High School
- She is projected to be 6-foot tall
- Averaged over two strikeouts an inning for the 2014 calendar year
- Already been clocked at 62 mph.
- JV MVP East Coweta as an 8th grader
- Played in ASA Nationals the last four years.
- Has a 4.0 GPA
- Also plays basketball and track
- Being looking at by most SEC & ACC schools
- Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia are high on her list of favorites
- Very active with her church
Coach Biele’s comments: “Kelley Lynch is an amazing ball player and potentially you could be looking at the next Kelly Barnhill so it’s fitting she is an East Cobb Bullet! Kelley is already 5-foot-9 although she’s only an eighth grader.
“She is an October 2000 so she is very young, but already has complete command of her curve, screw, rise and change. I would say her rise is by far her best pitch and when it is on she is unhittable.”
“Kelley has unbelievable potential as she continues to grow and fill out her tall lanky frame. A 4.0 in school she also wants to be the dominant student, too, and Barnhill – who she idolizes – was as well.”
Kelley has a smile on her face almost always and is one of the most coachable kids I have every met. . She is a leader and a pressure pitcher. Some college is going to be extremely lucky when then get her. She is also a very good hitter—her batting average this fall was over .400 playing 16U showcases.
“She has had a rough few years with her father, Steve, passing away of cancer two years ago. Kelley and her father were very close through softball. Steve was 6-foot-6 and was a former athlete and well respected coach in the Georgia softball community. Kelley is determined to honor her father through her achievements in softball.”
“She is probably one of the best 2019 pitchers in the country and with her size the sky is the limit. She is a great kid too.”

— CF Haley Simpson (2018, uncommitted)
- She is attending North Forsyth High School
- Already 5-foot-9, projected to be 6-foot
- 2014 All Region 6-AAAAAA and All County
- 2014 Defensive Player of the year (freshman year)
- Home-to-first time: 2.68
- In track was All County in 8th grade, holds the county and school long jump record for the 8th grade and school records for 100 meters and high jump at 8th grade
- Played ASA Nationals in 2014, 2013
- Has a 3.7 GPA
- Also made Varsity Basketball as a freshman
- Non-committed, being looking at by most SEC and ACC schools
- Georgia and Florida are her top two
- Her older brother, Taylor Simpson, is 6-foot-4 and is an MLB prospect
Coach Biele’s comments: “Haley is blazing fast. She is a sub 2.7 home-to-first and finished 2nd at ASA Nationals in the home-to-home competition. Haley is probably one of the top two or three hitters in Georgia at the 2018 level.”
“She is an exceptional slapper who is learning to hit from the left side and hit for some power. She stole 32 bases in just 13 games this fall. Haley batted almost .500 last season playing the highest level ball. She is also an exceptional outfielder.”

— C/1B/OF Alison Durrence (2018, uncommitted) 5-10
- She is attending Johns Creek High School
- Already 5-foot-10
- She made 6A All Region this season as a freshman
- Was awarded the Varsity Silver Slugger Award for her high school.
- ASA Nationals in 2014, 2013.
- Has a 3.7 GPA
- Also made varsity Swim team and qualified for Georgia 6A State as a freshman
- Non-committed, being looking at by most SEC & ACC schools
- Georgia, Florida and Virginia Tech are her top three
- Her older brother is 6-foot-4 and on a full scholarship for swimming at the University of Buffalo
- Her sister is 6-foot and is headed next year to the Air Force Academy to play volleyball
Coach Biele’s comments: “Allison is just an incredible athlete. Her power is incredible and she batted almost .500 last season playing the highest level ball. She is a great all-around athlete with a riffle for an arm. Allison is clutch, too, as there is no one better under pressure, whether it’s a walk off hit or a walk off home run. I think she is probably one of the top two or three hitters in Georgia at the 2018 level as well.”