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 will 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

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THE NEWEST HIT CLUB PLAYER IS...

Player: NICOLE MENDES

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Club team: Diamond Sports Hotshots

College: Oklahoma

Position(s): P/OF/1B

Honors: PGF All-American, ranked No. 11 on FloSoftball's 2016 Hot 100

A CLOSER LOOK…

What was your best high school/club experience:
I've made some great friendships playing with girls, playing against girls. Our last tournament in Colorado I even got to meet some girls on another team who were staying at the same hotel as us and all week during down time we would hang out. You get to make friends that will last even after softball is over and with those friends you make memories that last a lifetime.

What was it about Oklahoma that led you to pick the Sooners?
For me, I never had the instant feeling of "This is where I want to go" for OU, but the more I visited and talked to the coaches and commits, the more it felt right. I wanted to go to a big school and the overall feeling of the campus was one I wanted to be part of.

What were the key factors that led to your decision?
For sure the coaches played a huge role in my choice. They work so well together and each has his or her own personality. I knew they would each coach me on all aspects of the game and make me a player who is well rounded, but I also wanted to go to a school that I felt would be contenders every year to win a championship. Lastly, but most importantly, Coach (Patty) Gasso's faith off and on the field was also a really big draw. I knew that I was going to be far from home and alone for the first time so the fact that I would be able to go talk to my coach about any questions I had and receive godly advice was really big for me.

What's your main advice to young players and recruits?
I would say that a lot of times we get so caught up in the recruiting and the pressure to win the game that we sometimes forget to fully enjoy the sport. There's something about a player who is giving her all and just truly enjoying herself that draws people in. Also I would say to stop and think about questions to ask and really weigh the pros and cons when looking for a college. While it's important to feel like your college is home, you don't want to make a decision based solely off of your emotions.

What's the best advice you've been given?
Someone told me to never let the fear of failing cause you to falter or, worse, never even attempt. That's something that I had to learn the hard way when I was younger and when I heard that and took it to heart my whole game dramatically improved. It's something that I can apply to life as well as softball.

Is there one thing you're looking forward to most in college?
Probably the friendships I'm going to make. These girls are going to be my family for the next four years and through the highs and lows they're going to have my back.

Is there an aspect of college that worries you or you are nervous about?
Time management for sure! I'm going to be so busy and have to rush to and from its going to be a challenge to manage it all at first. Also just finding the classes, which will be different for me after being homeschooled.

Do you know what do you want to do after softball ends?
I want to stay involved with sports. I think I would like to be a sports broadcaster for a while and then work with high school and college athletes on their mental approach to games. Hopefully, one day I'll get the chance to work with professional teams.

In your opinion, what part of your game do you do best and what part do you want to work on?
I would have to go with my mental game being a strength. I might not always have the spin that day or I might not be hitting bombs but I always try and find a way to get it done. One thing that I want to work on is becoming a better leader. The physical stuff is something that will always go up and down no matter how great you are but I want to work on controlling the things I have control over.

What's something unique or unusual about you that most don't know?
Most don't know that I was homeschooled my whole life (yes, I wear PJ's all day sometimes and, no, I don't get to sleep in until noon!). Also, I have an unhealthy obsession with sloths. Just ask my roommate about the sloth shower curtain I plan on putting in our dorm.

Finally, describe yourself in one word?
I'm going to go with "wholehearted."

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