In our second of an ongoing series profiling elite top club teams – and ones that will be at the So Cal Athletics Invitational (Los Alamitos, Calif.) from June 20-22 – we head to the Peach State to zero in on the East Cobb Bullets 18 Gold team led by Greg Schute.

The Bullets will be a force to contend with because they have the top-rated pitcher in the 2015 class, Kelly Barnhill, according to our Hot 100 rankings.

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Club Team:  EC Bullets 18 Gold
Head Coach Greg Schnute

 

LAST YEAR (2013)

Key Accomplishments:  Finished 5^th at PGF 18s last year

Top Players Returning:
— P Kelly Barnhill (2015, undecided)
— OF Kylee Southers (2014, Kent State)
— OF/P Kate Giddens (2014, Illinois)
— OF/IF Morgan Walters (2014, Missouri)
— IF Kelly Sinclair 2015 (College of Charleston)

Top Players Lost:
— C Laura Beall (graduation)
— OF Megan Litumbe (graduation)
— C Madison Claytor (graduation)
— OF Elise Sandberg  (moved to another team)
— 1B Andie Martin (graduation)

 

THIS YEAR (2014)

StudentSportsSoftball.com: What do you think are the strengths on this year’s team?
Greg Schute: Pitching, catching, speed, solid defense, and good hitting.

SSS.com: What area(s) concern you or will you be working to improve on this team?
GS: We would like to be more offensive.

SSS.com: What tournaments/events will you be playing this summer?
GS: SoCal Invitational, Independence in Boulder, Triple Crown in Georgia and PGF Nationals.

SSS.com: How do you expect this team to play style-wise?
GS: Excellent pitching with a strong defense and timely hitting.

 

SO CAL ATHLETICS INVITATIONAL

SSS.com: What is your primary goal in playing in this event?
GS: To let our young women play and compete against the best players in the USA!

SSS.com: What players/teams are you excited to see or play against?
GS: SoCal Athletics, OC Batbusters and Beverly Bandits.

SSS.com: What will determine if this is a successful event for you?
GS: If we see improvement as a team.

 

MISC.

SSS.com: What keeps you coming back as a coach?
GS: Having coached fastpitch since 1981, I love the opportunity to work and develop  young women as softball players.  It is exciting!

SSS.com: What would you say has been a highlight of your career?
GS: Watching many, many young women develop as fastpitch players, but more importantly, to see them learn the “life skills” that they will need as adults.

SSS.com: What do you look for in a player you’re considering adding to your team?
GS: Obviously, her athletic ability is very important, but just as important is her attitude, her coachability, and how she gets along with her teammates.

SSS.com: Finally, who have been some of your former players you’re most proud to say you coached (and why)?
GS: I have been fortunate enough to have many kids who have made me proud, not only on the softball field, but in other phases of their lives and will continue to make me proud.  It is a great game to coach and be a part of!