One of the fastest rising freshmen in the country is a 5-foot-10 pitcher who’s only 14 years old, but already getting interest from ACC, Atlantic 10, Big East, Big 10 and SEC schools.

Her name is Shannon Mortimer and she attends Grafton Memorial High in Grafton, Mass. and plays for the Polar Crush National Gold team.

She throws some serious heat and will be a player we’ll be hearing about at the club and high school level for the next four years… here’s a closer look at this promising New England hurler!

***

FullCountSoftball.com: You played at the Surf City Early Thanksgiving Tournament a few weeks ago and blew up there… tell us about that experience.
Shannon Mortimer: It was my first time on a plane and being that far from home. I’m 14 and was the youngest on the 18U Polar Crush National Gold team, but had a lot of fun. I pitched in a 1-0 loss and a 7-4 win. It was an honor to play against some of the best 18U teams in the country.

FCS.com: I heard you were getting a lot of attention at Surf City, what was that like?
SM: Coach Phil (McElroy) told my dad that he had to keep warming me up all weekend in Surf City because he kept getting texts from coaches asking when I would be pitching. And when I guest played for Coach Jeffery (Steiner) in Ohio, he had a lot of coaches watching me too. It was awesome!

FCS.com: Where are you in the recruiting process?
SM: My coach has heard from many schools and we are setting up visits; some came to my practice to watch me as well. I understand UMass, Boston College, Boston Univ., Syracuse, North Carolina State, Northwestern, Louisville, Nebraska and Georgia have shown interest. A lot were watching in California but my coach said he doesn’t always tell me until he talks to them. He also said he expects to hear from more.

FCS.com: You’re throwing in the mid 60’s already at such a young age. Have you always thrown that hard? And what else do you have in your pitching repertoire?
SM: I was throwing my fastball 60 mph at 12 years old, 63 mph at 13 and 65 mph at 14… what I am now. I also throw a drop and curveball, but I think my best pitch is my change up!

FCS.com: Where do you train?
SM: I work out at Fastpitch Dynamics in Connecticut. I also train at PlanetFastpitch were I made the “60 MPH Club” at 12 years old although it still shows 63 mph from last year because they haven’t updated it yet.

FCS.com: What’s next for you on the field?
SM: I just received my official invitation to the OnDeck Softball Jamboree at Bandit Fest in Chicago on January 2.

FCS.com: What are some of your best memories in softball so far?
SM: I was lucky to have great teammates on my 12U team that played well together and as a team  we were the first team in New England history to play up in the A division and win the 14U state championship. At 13U, my team played in an 18U showcase and did very well. The highlight of my 13U season was getting invited by Coach Steiner to guest play with his team, Thunder Elite 00 Ohio, in the Stingray Showcase in Ohio last year. And while there, I made friends for life!

FCS.com: Sounds like you’re a goal-oriented person… what are some goals you have for the future?
SM: I’ve been lucky to have great coaches in my life that taught me to not only set goals, but to attain those goals and then set new ones. One of my goals was to throw 65 mph at 14 years old— I did that and now it’s time to set a new goal!My goal for college is to play for a great school for a great coach and get a great education. And play lots of softball!

Quick Hitters

What’s your dream career?
To be a professional softball player.

What stresses you out the most?
Having a lot of work to do with a limited amount of time.

Favorite food:
Chicken.

Least favorite food:
Fish.

Thing you wouldn’t be caught dead doing?
Being mean or disrespectful to someone.

Favorite clothing item in your closet?
Sweatshirts.

What’s your dream vacation?
Ireland.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I’m a “comedian.”

What color best fits your personality?
Purple!

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
My phone so I could call someone for help.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
Saying “I love you, good luck” to my parents on the way to my games.

What’s your philosophy or motto you live by?
“Be yourself, nobody can do it better.”

Are you a dog, cat or other animal lover (or none at all)?
Giraffes.

Best movie you’ve seen this year?
22 Jump Street.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Sue Enquist.

What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be a doctor so I could take care of my grandma because she was very sick.

Nickname(s):
Shan.

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
In my first game when I was little I hit the ball to the other field (an easy home run). Everybody was yelling, “Run, run, run!” but I stopped at first base and stayed there. Later, after the game my dad asked why I stopped running and I said, “I didn’t want to make an out and get in trouble.”

What’s the No. 1 request on your Santa gift list?
A new phone.

… and here’s video of Shannon working out…