Kelcy Leach is a catcher/third baseman from The Woodlands, Texas who made the 2017 Hot 100 list because of her great defensive skills and strong power bat. Kelcy was the District 14-5A Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and she hit .386 with an on-base percentage of .449 this year in helping lead her team to the Texas 6A state tournament.

The younger sister of 2015 infielder Aubrey Leach—also a Hot 100 honoree who is headed to Tennessee—Kelcy’s big blow this season came when she hit an 8^th inning walk-off home run to send her Lady Highlanders team state playoffs.

Kelcy had interest from Big 12 and SEC-caliber schools and committed in a fun way — on her birthday! — and also had quite the surprise later as a group of coaches, teammates, family and friends surprised Kelcy with a “color war” in honor of her turning Sweet 16!

Here’s how the verbal went down early that day…

***

It was Wednesday morning on June 10, 2015 at approximately 9 AM and it is my Sweet 16 birthday!

My father was driving me to The Woodlands High School where my younger twin sisters were participating in a softball camp.

On the way I was sending a text message to the Texas Tech Head Coach Adrian Gregory that I was going to call her in 15 minutes and also I told her that I had received the best birthday present I could ask for.

After arriving at my high school, I placed the call to Coach Gregory and she answered and wished me a happy birthday and then asked me what the present was that I received for my birthday.

I paused for a moment and then I told Coach Gregory, “The best birthday present is that I get to come play for her at Texas Tech University!”

We both yelled into the phone and I told her how excited that I was and we talked for the next five minutes—it was the best conversation I had ever had with a coach.

After I got off the phone I walked into the press box at the high school with the biggest smile and wearing a Texas Tech camp t-shirt. I immediately saw my high school coach, Richard Jorgensen and he looked at me and asked if I had committed.

I nodded my head and he ran over and gave me the biggest hug ever. The whole day was more than I could have ever asked for and it was just a perfect Sweet 16 Birthday!

Wreck ‘Em!

***

Kelcy’s father, Todd, adds:

Kelcy’s mother and I are truly pleased with her decision as she has put in the time, hard work, and effort into making a good decision.

After visiting LSU, Baylor, and South Alabama, Kelcy stated that she really liked those schools and their coaching staffs, but after attending Texas Tech’s camp this past fall we could tell Kelcy really had a connection to that program and the coaches.

We are very excited about Coach Gregory and her coaching staff on where they are taking the program, and we believe the future is looking bright for the Texas Tech softball.