Everybody loves a winner and today’s spotlight shines brightly on a Mississippi infielder who’s won five high school state championships and has one more year to go!  She’s also good enough to be headed to the SEC…

 

Name: ASHTON LAMPTON
Grad Year: 2015
Pos: Shortstop
High School: Newton County (Decatur, Miss.)
Club: Team Mizuno-Morgan                                                  
Stats: high school career: .515 batting average, 20 home runs, 181 RBI, .543 on-base percentage, .826 slugging percentage, 46 doubles and 29 triples.
Honors: 2014: Clarion Ledger “Dandy Dozen,” selected as “Best Hitter in the State” with .661 batting average, 22 doubles, 12 triples, seven home runs, 64 RBI and 65 runs scored; Mississippi Assoc. of Coaches All-Star, MHSAA 4A State Champions (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14) and 4A All-State Team (2011, ’13, ’14)           
College: Ole Miss

 

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the coaches, then how long until they offered?
Ashton Lampton: The first time Coach Smith saw me, I was playing in the Triple Crown Sports Fireworks Tournament in Colorado in early July. A week and half later; after the TCS Nationals in Atlanta, they asked me if I would like to play for Ole Miss.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
AL: I committed on July 16^th. I have always dreamed of playing Division I softball in the SEC and to have the honor of playing for a university in my home state made it an easy decision.

 

SSS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
AL: I committed over the phone after I had an unofficial visit to Ole Miss on August 4. I will have my official visit on September 13.

 

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?
AL: I was honored and extremely excited!

 

SSS.com: How far away from home will be? Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
AL: Yes, the distance made my choice a lot easier. The campus is two and a half hours away from my home, which allows my family and friends to attend home games regularly.

 

SSS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
AL: I am a multi-positional player. I have a wide range when fielding the ball and I see the ball well and have a smooth swing.

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
AL: Winning six state championships for Newton County High School! Also, winning the TCS Fireworks Tournament and definitely when I committed to Ole Miss.

 

Quick Hitters

What do you want to major in?
Physical Therapy.

Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when:
… I am playing softball.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
God is being forgotten about.

Favorite food:
Deer steak.

Least favorite food:
Broccoli.

Favorite place in the world:
California.

What’s your dream vacation?
Going to the Bahamas.

What type of bat do you use?
Easton Stealth and Synergy. Love them!

Who always makes you laugh?
My boyfriend.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
When I concentrate I stick out my tongue.

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

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

What’s your No. 1 goal for 2014?
Win another State Championship.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
Our men and women of the US Military… they are true heroes.