For the second year in a row, 10 top batters from across the nation will enjoy a three-day experience of a lifetime as they'll participate in the Louisville Slugger Hit Club which had partnered with PGF and will take place in Huntington Beach, California.

FloSoftball is excited to be the media platform for all things Hit Club and we'll have more details in next few weeks including the announcement of the players who will get to benefit from on-field and off-the-field activities.

Last year's inaugural class included Shay Knighten of the National Champion Oklahoma Sooners and NCAA Div. I Freshman of the Year Amanda Lorenz with the Florida Gators.

Who will be next year's standout freshman player who could win All-American honors or even win a National Championship?

So far, here's who has been announced in the exclusive group of 10 in the Hit Club:

• Elissa Brown (Birmingham Thunderbolts)--University of Alabama
• Nicole "Sis" Bates (Firecrackers-Rico)--University of Washington
• Nicole Mendes (Diamond Sports Hotshots)--University of Oklahoma
• Hannah Edwards (PA Chaos)--University of Pittsburgh
• Mackenzie Boesel (So Cal A's-Richardson)--University of South Carolina
• Kayla Konwent (Illinois Chill Gold)--University of Wisconsin

***

THE NEWEST HIT CLUB PLAYER IS…

Player:  AALIYAH JORDAN
Hometown: San Diego, California
Club Team: Corona Angels
College: UCLA
Position(s): OF
Top Honors/Stats: PGF All-American, rated No. 17 in the FloSoftball 2016 Hot 100

A CLOSER LOOK…

Best high school/club experience ever:
Playing a four hour, seven inning game in semi-finals in high school and winning 18-17.

Why did you choose the Bruins?
I choose UCLA because not only is it was very close to home but the coaches are amazing and why would you not want to go the school with the most national championships in history?

What key factors led into the decision?
I knew that I wanted to stay close to home and compete for a national championship, so UCLA was the perfect fit

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you on a softball field?
One time my coach put me in right field just to get experience and the next pitch was it to me and I tripped twice while going for the ball but I still ended up catching the ball as I was falling. Right after that, he put me back in center field.

Best movie you've seen in the last year or two?
Straight Out of Compton.

What's playing in your earbuds right now?
Coloring Book by Chance The Rapper.

Best advice to young players/recruits: 
Softball is 80% mental and 20% physical. The first step to your success is confidence. 

Your philosophy or approach to life…
You'll probably regret it, but do it anyways!

Fill in the blank: you won't ever catch me_______________
… not singing in the outfield!
 
What do you want to do after softball ends?
I want to be able give back to the softball community anyway I can.

What is your approach to hitting?
I always go up with a clear head and try to be aggressive to hit a ball up in the zone early in the count.

What's something about you unique or unusual that most don't know?
I love my toes, I think they are cute!

Do you have any superstitions or rituals around softball?
Before I get in the battery box I have to hit the side of my cleat with my bat then push my helmet down with my left hand. Then step in the box with my left foot and spin my bat clockwise till I find the "X" on the center of the "LXT" label then take a deep breath while staring at the "X." Then I step in the box with my right foot and get ready for the pitch.

Other than family, who's a hero or someone you greatly look up to?
My coach Marty Tyson. He's not like other coaches, he does what he does to not only make you a better softball player and prepare you for college but he makes you a better person.

Finally, describe yourself in one word on the field… and off the field:
Entertaining.