Meet 2017 commit Leah Shipp (10/6)

Oct 6, 2014 by Brentt Eads

As we gear up for the Hot 100 2017’s to come in a month or so, we’re going to start looking at some of the top players in the class… today’s is a pitcher/infielder who was All-State this year as a pitcher and was equally impressive at the plate…

Leah won every high school award possible in 2014.

Name: LEAH SHIPP
High School: Brentsville District (Nokesville, Va.)
Grad year: 2017
GPA: 3.66
Club: Vienna Stars Gold 18U
Position(s): Pitcher/1B/3B
High School Stats: Pitching – 154 Innings, 233 K’s , only seven walks and a 0.45 ERA; Hitting – .407 batting average with nine home runs and 39 RBI
Honors: 1st Team All-State (Pitcher), 1st Team All-Region, 1st Team All-Conference, VHSL State Team Sportsmanship Award; Leah is currently listed as the No. 2 2017 pitcher in the Scout Softball database and #75 overall in the Top 150.
Height: 5-7

College: Michigan State
Recruiting Process: According to her father, Stephen, “Leah accepted the offer from MSU Coach Jacquie Joseph on September 30th, 2014. We made an unofficial visit to Michigan State on Sept 19-20. Leah also received offers from DePaul University in Chicago and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She also had recent interest from several other DI schools including Alabama, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, BYU, Boston College, Northwestern, Buffalo and St. John’s.”

Events & Accomplishments:

2014 – Virginia State High School 3A Championship – 3rd Place
2014 – PGF Nationals – Huntington Beach, CA
2014 – Independence Day Tournament – Boulder, CO
2014 – Demarini Showcase – Chicago, IL
2014 – OnDeck Colorado National Jamboree – Boulder, CO
2013 – OnDeck East Coast National Elite Camp – Gwinnett, GA
2013 – PGF Nationals – Huntington Beach, CA
2013 – ASA Hall of Fame Tournament – Oklahoma City, OK
2013 – County Wide Middle School Softball Champions – 10-0
2007 – 2013 – 33 “A” Tournament Championships – 6 VA State Championships
2012 – Middle School Basketball – District Champions
2010 – 10U NSA “A” World Series Champions – Charlotte, NC

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FullCountSoftball.com: How did MSU first spot you and when did the Spartans offer?
Leah Shipp: Coach (Jacqui) Joseph was at a Showcase in Chattanooga, Tenn. looking at a player on an opposing team and liked my pitching and fielding. Coach Joseph made the offer at the end of my unofficial visit on Sept. 20, 2014. I accepted over the phone on Sept. 30!

One of Leah's strengths is she doesn't give up many home runs. — One of Leah’s strengths is she doesn’t give up many home runs.

FCS: What did they say they liked about your game?
LS: Coach Joseph said that she liked my presence in the circle and my drop ball. She said she watched me pitch an entire game at PGF Nationals this summer and liked that I didn’t get frustrated in the circle when things on the field went wrong, I didn’t get down on my team, instead I stayed focused and held steady. She also liked the fact that I have the ability to keep the ball in the park.

FCS: Will you pitch/hit or just be a pitcher?
LS: Coach Joseph said as long as I put in the extra work to hit and can continue to be successful at the plate she would have no problems putting me into the lineup to hit.

FCS: what pitches do you throw?
LS: Change, screw, drop, drop curve, rise and an occasional fastball!

FCS: what do you like to do off the field?
LS: When not practicing pitching, I like working with my athletic trainer Kevin “KJ” Johnson at Team Ascension. His workouts get results and he is very motivational and inspirational! I also love photography and interior design.