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 fourth profile takes us to the South where we wrap up our look at the slappers who attended the Hit Club. This player is staying close to home to play for one of the preeminent programs in college softball today…

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BIO:

Player: LILY MANN
Hometown: St. Cloud, Fla.
Club Team: Gold Coast Hurricanes
College: Florida
Bio: FloSoftball 1st Team All-American, she led the Florida Class 7A in four offensive categories including batting (.652) and was All-State and the 7A Offensive Player of the Year.

HIT CLUB:

Award: Sweetest Swing
Roommate: Brooke Vines (Tennessee)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “Talking and listening to the panel of girls (The Package Deal) who have been through college because I felt more comforted about what is coming at me in a few weeks.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “Dealing with failure.’”
Funniest person of group: “Amanda Lorenz (Florida).”
Best memory of event: “Getting to talk to Jessica Mendoza and hearing how she got through rough patches in her career.”
Hit Club scouting report: Lily looks like a college player know and several SEC coaches said the same thing about her: great athletic tools with a very high ceiling. Interestingly, her peers and even Sue Enquist and Jessica Mendoza said the same thing about her: she has one of the most beautiful swings you’ll see in the game. Lily has great bat control (2^nd in the ball bounce off the bat contest) and has the speed and frame to be a dangerous triple slap threat in college. Going to a loaded Florida Gator team, she may not make an immediate slash like some of the other Hit Club players will early in their careers, but Lily has the tools and work ethic to be an all-conference player before she’s done in Gainesville.

SOFTBALL PERSPECTIVE:

Best high school/club experience: 

“High school would be being state runner-up; club would be meeting my best friends and playing with them.”

Why did you choose Florida?
“It felt like home plus I’ve bled Orange and Blue since the day I was born!”

What factors led to your choice?
“It’s also close to home and has a good medical program.”

Advice to young players/recruits:
“If you put in the time, effort and work, it will pay off.”

Best advice you’ve been given:
“Trust yourself and your abilities and know that all great players have bad days.”

Thing looking forward to most in college:
“Meeting new people and being part of an amazing program.”

Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“Taking on more failure than I’ve had before.”

What do you want to do after softball ends?
“Become a physical therapist.”

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“I’m good at playing small game and using my speed, including stealing bases. I want to work on becoming more confident in my abilities.”

Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“Being the first group of girls to be part of the Louisville Slugger Hit Club.”

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