One of the two dozen commitments that we reported his week was from a Georgia junior with a great GPA who’s headed north to New York to play collegiate softball… here’s more on this tall pitcher with a tough-to-hit riseball!

Name:  KALLEN LEESEBERG
Grad Year:  2015
Pos: pitcher
High School: Aquinas (Augusta, Ga.)
GPA 4.15 GPA
ACT: 26
Stats: pitched 149 innings and struck out 248 last fall with a 1.92 ERA; also hit .474
Club: Georgia Fire – Downs 16U
College: Marist College

 

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StudentSportsSoftball.com:  Are you still feeling the excitement about making it official? 
Kallen Leeseberg: Yes, I am thrilled!

 

SSS.com: How did you tell the Marist Coaches, was it in person or on the phone? 
KL: It was on the phone.

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit, and what led into your decision? 
KL: I had the chance to watch Marist play a couple of games this year.  I got to meet with Coach [Joe] Ausanio and the players and I really liked them.  They seemed like they worked well as a team, and I really liked the way the coaches interacted with the players.  Then I had a chance to visit campus, and I loved it.

 

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or excited? 
KL: I was very excited to tell Coach Ausanio.

 

SSS.com: How far away from home will you be?  Was distance a factor at all in your decision? 
KL: Marist is in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. which is about 12 or 13 hours by car from Augusta, Ga. where I’m from.  I was interested in going away to school and excited to see a different part of the country.

 

SSS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player? 
KL: I am a very hard worker, and am extremely competitive.

SSS.com: As a pitcher, what are your top assets?  Do you have a “go to” pitch?
KL: I am 6-foot tall and athletic.  My riseball is my go to pitch.

SSS.com: What has been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
KL: Building a lot of friendships in travel ball and helping my high school team set a school record for wins.

 

Quick hitters

 

What do you want to major in? 
Business.

Fill in th blank…I’m happiest when_________? 
…I’m pitching well.

What would you be doing if not playing softball? 
Traveling.

Favorite food? 
Ice cream.

Least favorite chore? 
Taking out the garbage.

Who would you love to spend a day with? 
Bryce Harper.

What’s your dream vacation? 
Going to Paris.

What do you do to relax? 
I love to read.

What’s an unusual skill, talent or experience you have that few know about? 
I can do a back handspring.

How would your friends describe you in one word? 
Athletic.

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

Where do you see yourself in 10-15 years? 
Working in New York City.