Today we head to the South to spotlight a player whose high stats were awesome in 2014 including one that will raise your eyebrows!

Name: ELISSA BROWN
Grad Year: 2016
Pos: Infielder
High School: Elmore County (Eclectic, Ala.)
GPA: 3.9
Club: 18U Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier                  
High School Stats: Hit .570 in 38 games with 69 hits and 24 RBI. On-base percentage of .631 and had 62 steals.
Honors: All-Area, All-Region, All-State      
College: Alabama

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FullCountSoftball.com: You had 62 steals… is that for real or a misprint? That’s almost two per game! Scout yourself as a base stealer and define what makes you so good…
Elissa Brown: No it’s not a misprint! I think what makes me a good basestealer is my athleticism as well as my knowledge and love for the game. The object of the game is to outscore the other team so the faster you get from one base to the next the better chance you have of scoring. I would say I am very aggressive—if the ball hits the dirt I’m gone! I am confident—I watch the pitcher’s motion while I’m on deck so when I’m on base I get a really good jump off of her release. The other thing I think that makes me a great base stealer is my mindset; I’m not afraid to slide and I’m not afraid to be thrown out either. Her arm against my legs, I like my odds!

FCS.com: You’re a great all-around athlete and play basketball too… how’s that going this winter?
EB: Basketball is going great! Our team is young and inexperienced this year so I had to really step my game as the team captain. I average about 22 points a game and in December I scored my 1,000^th point (a three point jump shot at the buzzer). The school record is 1,298 and I currently have 1,108 so my goal is to secure the record this season.

FCS.com: What is it about softball that makes you want to play collegiately in the sport versus playing hoops or some other sport where you could put your speed and athleticism to use, like track for example?
EB: Track is pretty cool. At my first track meet last year I actually placed 2^nd in my heat and 4^th overall in the 60 meter dash and my relay team came in third in the 4×4 relay. It’s just that softball is my first love! It shows a different side of teamwork. It definitely gives me an opportunity to use my speed and athleticism to cover ground in the middle infield, beating out bunts and slaps, as well as stealing bases. Since I was like eight years old, I’ve put most of my time into softball so taking it to the next level only makes sense. 

FCS.com: You’re a lefty and fast obviously… what’s the fastest you’ve ever been clocked in home-to-first? Tell us about your game: what tools do you have, such as slapper, power slapper, hit for average, etc….
EB: I would say the fastest I was clocked was a 2.58 at the UT Speed Camp. I can lay down bunts, slap, as well as hit away. I like to start the game off hot (as the lead-off) with a bunt to make sure I get on base. It sets the tempo for the rest of my teammates. Funny thing is I was a power righty until the fall of 2013. Even on my right it was hard for them to get me out when I bunted so my Dad decided to turn me around to the left side to capitalize on my speed. He invested in some slapping lessons with former University of Kentucky standout Nikki Jones Gantt and the rest, as they say, is history. After working with Nikki, I started using the hard slap the most because teams started to play me for the bunt. But now, I can hit for power when I need to. Let’s just say triples are quite frequent.

FCS.com:   What’s an aspect of your game that you think people underestimate and what’s an area you want to work on before you play in the SEC?
EB: First they underestimate my infield skills. Most people say I should be in the outfield because of my speed and quickness, but I use all my speed and quickness to work behind the pitcher when she’s working hard to get batters to hit the ball on the ground. It helps give her confidence. People definitely underestimate my power hitting abilities! Although I’ve hit quite a few off the fence, that’s still an area I want to work on some more before I begin playing in the SEC. I want to be known as a true triple threat who can hit the long ball! They drop back, I hit it down. They come up, I hit it over!

FCS.com: Let’s talk recruiting… tell us how you were first seen by the Alabama coaches, then how long until they offered?
EB: I attended the week long summer camp at Alabama back in the summer of 2013. It wasn’t until the fall of 2013—my first tournament after completely switching over from right to left—that (Head Coach) Pat Murphy actually noticed me. I was playing on the Vipers All-star team and he was there watching my future Bama teammate, Kendall Beth Sides, in a tournament in Trussville, Ala.. Everyone was telling me that I had a great tournament and that everyone at the park was talking about me that day. I think I went like 7-for-7 showcasing my speed, of course. He offered September 17, 2014, one of the happiest days of my life!

FCS.com: What led into the decision and why did you commit then?
EB: Honestly, Alabama has always been my top choice, it is the perfect fit! Yes, I went on other visits and even had other offers, but I knew in my heart I wanted to Roll with the Tide! The coaches are awesome and the girls that are currently there are great. Not to mention, they have the best softball program in the country; in my opinion. I committed for all the reasons above, but I also feel like as a junior in high school your skills are good but you still have just enough time to get better before getting to college.

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
EB: I told him over the phone but I think they knew after the unofficial visit at dinner that I was going to accept… I was so excited to get the offer!

FCS.com: You tweeted out that you had committed… what type of response did that get you?
EB: Oh my goodness! The response and support I received was overwhelming; I am from a small town and I immediately became something like a local celebrity—they were so supportive! The cheerleaders at my school made banners, the local newspaper interviewed me and the Bama fans on twitter blew up my notifications saying how happy they were for me.

FCS.com: How far away from home will you be once you hit the Tide campus?
EB: 2 ½ hours.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
EB: My high school team was playing in the regional finals in 2014. It was the bottom of the 8^th, one out and we were winning 4-3. The other team had a runner on 1^st and the batter hit a shot up the middle, I made a play on it and we turned a double play to win the tournament! This was the first time my school team had made it to State since 2007. When I was 10, I won the Fleet Feet Championship trophy at a tournament Cat Osterman hosted in Nebraska. I had the fastest time from home to home: 11.5! Finally, I have to tell you about the time I scored 25 points in the first half in one of my basketball games!

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you think is the biggest problem facing your generation?
Self-esteem and not being themselves.

Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when…
… playing sports and winning!

What do you see yourself doing after you hang up your cleats?
Being an Athletic Trainer.

Favorite food:
Shrimp.

Least favorite school subject:
History.

What’s your dream vacation?
Brazil.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I run in my sleep.

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Awesome!

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
Bible.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
No, I just show up ready to play.

Team you love to root against:
Our high school rival: Tallassee High School.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Red Lobster’s Stuffed Mushroom.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Mind reading.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Beyonce.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Brittany Rogers to learn her secrets to success during her time at Alabama.

What did you want to be when you were little?
An Orthodontist because I had braces for about three years.

Favorite athlete:
Skylar Diggins.

Nickname(s):
Poo.

Something on your “must do” list:
Win a National Championship with the Crimson Tide.

Best thing about being from your area:
It’s a small town, so it’s pretty quiet and peaceful. Everyone knows everyone and they are very supportive.

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
My teammate running from a routine pop-fly at second base.

What’s the No. 1 goal for 2015?
Make it to Softball Regional Tournament in Troy with my high school team.

***Photos courtesy of Terry Sanders.