SELECT FASTPITCH-JONES
Head Coach: Eric Jones and Associate Head Coach Mike Byrn
Twitter: @ejonesrockchalk
Outlook: Select Fastpitch faced and beat many of the top teams in the country and reached the PGF 18U Premier national championship game last summer. That success continued in the fall with a runner-up finish at Scenic City Top 25 and a title at PGF Show Me The Money. They have a berth to PGF 18U Premier Nationals this summer. “It will come down to consistency of us at the plate,” Select Fastpitch coach Eric Jones said. “I feel that we have a great defense this year with athleticism and depth at each spot, including in the circle with returner Marissa McCann. We have a ton of power at the plate, but it will come down to timely hitting and execution on moving runners and getting them in.” McCann is a proven arm at the elite level. Ryann Sanders is a power pitcher that can keep the ball down and Anna Christ, Bre Severino and Kiana McDowell will play big roles in big situations. They have more power than speed on offense this season. They are the deepest they’ve been up the middle on defense with lockdown catching by Kylie Brockman and Abby Hay.
RETURNERS:
- Marissa McCann (2023, RHP, Missouri, already has two state titles in Arizona. Last year, she led the 18U team to the PGF national championship game in the circle)
- Kylie Brockman (2023, C, Arkansas, a standout behind the dish and the plate. Was one of the PGF All-American athletes. She’s a middle of the lineup powerhouse and a lockdown catcher)
- Taylor Cruse (2023, OF, Ohio State, an explosive center fielder who can also hit for power at the plate as well. She played a big role last summer)
- Amanda Knutson (2023, MIF, Southern Illinois, another fast athlete that can also hit for power anywhere in the lineup. She locked down second base last summer)
NEWCOMERS:
- Madison Walker (2023, 1B/3B, Missouri, a very powerful bat and a great athlete. She runs like a middle infielder but can hit with the best of them. She’s already made a big impact on the roster this season)
- Madison Uptegrove (2024, SS, Missouri, she was highly recruited by numerous Power 5 schools this past summer. She’s smooth up the middle, but can also hit for power in the middle of the lineup. She’s a very athletic shortstop with a great arm and range)
- Ryann Sanders (2024, RHP, Louisville, also has a state title for one of the top high school programs in Arkansas. She throws in the mid 60s and can keep the ball down in the zone. She will be a great compliment to Marissa McCann, who likes to spin the ball up)
- Abby Hay (2023, C/UT, Missouri, another very athletic strong athlete that adds a big bat and athleticism to an already great lineup. She’s a former baseball player that has been a difference maker since making the transition)
- Bailey Weber (2024, OF, Kansas, a very fast leadoff/2-hole that sets the table at a very high rate. She hit over .400 this fall and only shows signs of getting better. She will be a big key to the top of the lineup this summer)
- Mila Seaton (2023, SS/OF, Wichita State, an explosive athlete that can lock down shortstop or center field. She also has a ton of pop in her bat and coming back from an injury shes now looking to be 100 percent heading in to school ball and then this summer)
- Breanna Severino (2024, RHP/UT, Ball State)
- Anna Christ (2023, RHP/OF, Saint Louis)
- Kiana McDowell (2023, RHP/IF, Southern Illinois commit)
- Adisyn Hopkins (2023, MIF, Illinois State)
- Cydney Fullerton (2024, MIF/3B/UT, Creighton)
- Sophie Schupp (2023, MIF/3B/UT, Southeast Missouri State)
- Emma Veach (2023, OF/2B, Central Arkansas)
- Ally Miller (2023, 1B/C, Emporia State)
- Kenedee Giddens (2023, OF, Maine)
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
