From August 1-3, 2015, we were able to see 10 of the top hitters in softball on and off the field as part of the Louisville Slugger Hit Club.

The three-day event included activities like an on-field competition, trips to Disneyland and a Dodgers vs. Angels MLB game and hearing from softball dignitaries such as Sue Enquist, Jessica Mendoza plus Jen Schroeder, Katie Schroeder and Morgan Stuart of The Package Deal and renowned sports psychiatrist Ken Ravizza.

The 10 talented players, who graduated high school this summer and are heading off this month to major universities across the country, are all advanced hitters and over the next two weeks we’re going to profile one of these standouts each day (in random order).

Our penultimate profile is on the player ranked as the No. 1 player in the 2015 Hot 100 and who showed during the three days of the Hit Club why she’s so highly respected on and off the field.

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BIO:

Player: AMANDA LORENZ
Hometown: Moorpark, Calif.
Club Team: OC Batbusters – Haning/Stith
College: Florida
Bio: FloSoftball 1st Team All-American, Amanda hit .592 for her career and in four years had only 10 K’s in 405 varsity at-bats, rated as the 2015 Hot 100 No. 1 player; hit .409 at PGF 18U Premier Nationals with a team-leading seven walks and won a second straight National Championship with the Batbusters.

HIT CLUB:

Award: Leader of the Pack
Roommate: Tannon Snow (Washington)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “Meeting with The Package Deal women—to me it was real advice.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “Have a ‘good crappy day!’ Also, stay positive, be grateful and work hard.’”
Funniest person of group: “Reagan Dykes (Alabama)
Best memory of event: “Talking with Ken Ravizza.”

Hit Club scouting report: You have to be around Amanda on a day-to-day basis to understand why she is as highly touted and rated as she is. You will be hard-pressed to find someone as driven as she is; even she will admit sometimes it’s too much so, but it’s what makes her the consummate hitter that she is. She has all the qualities of a great hitter: she hits for average and power and has quick hands to go with great eye-hand coordination. She finished tied for first in the home run derby (with Alex Sobczak) and came in 2^nd in the Zepp testing of bat speed (81 mph). But what really became evident about Amanda in the three days of the Hit Club is her take-charge personality which makes her the leader of any group or team she may be on. Very funny and polite (she was voted as the “Most Funny” along with Reagan Dykes), she nevertheless isn’t afraid to speak out if she disagrees with something. You hear about certain athletes who have the “it” factor that makes them the type that others gravitate to… Amanda has that “it” factor that draws others to her and helps build a winning team.

Best high school/club experience:
“Winning three national championships.”

Why did you choose Florida?
“It felt like home and I had always dreamed of playing at a big D1 school.”

What factors led to your choice?
“Another big factor was I would already have friends from travel ball going there.”

Advice to young players/recruits:
“Enjoy it and remember why you play: because you love it!”

Best advice you’ve been given:
“Play for the little girl in t-ball and fell in love with the game.”

Thing looking forward to most in college:
“Winning a national championship.”

Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“Missing my family.”

What do you want to do after softball ends?
“Keep giving back to the sport and work within softball.”

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“I’m great at performing under pressure. I need to work on coping with failure.”

Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“The friendships I have made on the Batbusters.”

Finally, describe yourself in one word:
“Determined.”