There will be a trio of Texas teams at this weekend’s talent-laden So Cal Athletics Invitational which will take place in Los Alamitos, Calif.
Today we spotlight the Sudden Impact program which made it to the PGF Nationals last summer and has a lot of talent coming back including players going to major programs like Oklahoma, LSU, Tennessee, Baylor and many more…
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Club Team: Texas Sudden Impact Gold – Dutton
Head Coach Glenn Bennett (Head Coach); Tim Dutton (Manager)
Comments below are from Tim Dutton…
LAST YEAR (2013)
2013 Record: Not sure… we do not really keep up with a total win/loss record because of exposure tournaments, etc. Our goal is to just compete as hard and fundamentally sound as possible.
Key Accomplishments: 2nd place at DeMarini Invitational, 5th in the Super 64 bracket at the Colorado Fireworks
Top Players Returning: The beauty of this team and the way they work together and support each other. They are all top returners!
Top Players Lost: None
THIS YEAR (2014)
StudentSportsSoftball.com: What do you think are the strengths on this year’s team?
Tim Dutton: Our pitching depth, speed and power along with a solid defense.
SSS.com: What area(s) concern you or will you be working to improve on this team?
TD: Just continually getting better in all areas of the game, as well as increasing our consistency at the plate.
SSS.com: Who are 1-2 newcomers you expect to have an impact?
TD: Here are two players we expect to contribute significantly this year:
- P/1B Nicole Mendes (2016, Oklahoma)
Nicole is an all-around player, she has speed, hits with power, plays a solid outfield and is an even better pitcher… she can do it all. - SS/3B Alissa Dalton (2016, Oklahoma)
Alissa, is solid at the plate and can play any of the infield positions, she has been a great addition to our team this season.
SSS.com: Name 1-3 players you think will really emerge and impress this year?
TD: We’re excited about all our players including:
-
Aubrey Leach 2B/OF Aubrey Leach (2015, Tennessee)
Aubrey is one of the best leadoff hitters I have seen in this game, she really puts pressure on opposing defenses. - P/1B Shelby McGlaun (2015, Baylor)
Shelby continues to get stronger on the mound and at the plate. - SS Amber Serrett (2015, LSU)
Amber covers incredible ground at shortstop and has a cannon for an arm.
SSS.com: What tournaments/events will you be playing this summer?
TD: SoCal A’s Invitational, Colorado Fireworks, Triple Crown World Series, ASA Gold Nationals.
SSS.com: How do you expect this team to play style-wise?
TD: We are a pretty balanced team, we can play small ball or hit with power. This team takes different approaches depending on the opposing team.
SO CAL ATHLETICS INVITATIONAL
SSS.com: What is your primary goal in playing in this event?
TD: Like anyone that plays this game you always want to play against the best and that is what this tournament is about, playing some of the most talented teams in the country and seeing where you stack up.
SSS.com: What players/teams are you excited to see or play against?
TD: It is going to be great to play all of these talented teams but you obviously would love to get a chance to play a four-time National Champion like the SoCal A’s– those type of accomplishments do not happen very often, if ever again. so to play against the team that has been the best over the past four years would be great.
SSS.com: What will determine if this is a successful event for you?
TD: If the team plays confident and competes hard like we know they are capable of doing.
MISC.
SSS.com: What keeps you coming back as a coach?
TD: It is always about the players, this is the best sport in the world and to be able to have an impact in so many young players’ lives is very rewarding.
SSS.com: What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
TD: Watching kids that I have worked with for years move on to have successful college careers is always exciting as well as some of my teams that have won the Colorado Fireworks… those have been some nice times.
SSS.com: What do you look for in a player you’re considering adding to your team?
TD: We really look for kids that fit with the current players, we are a true team and each player has her own part to fulfill. Chemistry is something that we really believe in and our players are very dedicated and work hard and are very supportive of each other. Any new player added has to be willing to step in and do their part for the betterment of the team as a whole. There is a lot of individualism to this game but at the end of the day it is a team sport and we look for great athletes that want to be team players.
SSS.com: Finally, who have been some of your former players you’re most proud to say you coached (and why)?
TD: Every player that we send through the organization we are proud of, it is great to follow them through their college careers but just as exciting when they are sharing parts of their life with you four and five years after they have hung up the cleats.