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 third profile is on a tall, athletic outfielder with power who has all the tools and some feel will be All-SEC by the time she leaves college…

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BIO:

Player: BROOKE VINES

Hometown: Murrieta, Calif.
Club Team: So Cal A’s – Richardson
College: Tennessee
Bio: hit .465 with seven HRs and had 29 steals as a senior to earn All-Area honors, set several school records, ranked No. 7 in the 2015 Hot 100, at PGF 18U Premier Nationals hit .478 and led team in runs and hits for team that finished 2^nd; won a PGF National Championship with the A’s in 2013.

HIT CLUB:

Award: Best All-Around
Roommate: Lily Mann (Florida)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “The Package Deal speakers.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “Work hard, stay positive and be grateful.’”
Funniest person of group: “Reagan Dykes.”
Best memory of event: “Walking through Disneyland with Amanda (Lorenz), Mo (Morganne Flores) Tannon (Snow), Lily and Reagan while getting to know each other.”
Hit Club scouting report: Brooke is a well-spoken, deep thinking, articulate presence who leads by example and is a calming yet powerful influence in the dugout. Her athletic and skill abilities are off the charts as she used to run track and has the stride length and frequency to cover a lot of ground quickly. Making her doubly dangerous, she is skilled at hitting the ball where she wants and is instant offense in using her speed to outrun anything hit on the dirt. In the outfield, she closes quickly and makes the difficult play look routine. In the Hit Club Competition, Brooke had the fastest home-to-first at 2.61 seconds and came in second in the bunt and target accuracy drills.

SOFTBALL PERSPECTIVE:

Best high school/club experience: 

“Winning my first National Championship with the A’s as a freshman.”

Why did you choose Tennessee?
“The coaches are super encouraging, the beauty of the campus and the success of the softball program.”

What factors led into it?
“I like the level of education I’ll get at Tennessee along with the chance to play in the SEC with a successful program.”

Advice to young players/recruits:
“Stay true to yourself and be grateful you are able to play.”

Best advice you’ve been given:
“To keep Jesus close to me.”

Thing looking forward to most in college:
“Growing as a hitter.”

Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“Time management.”

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

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“My offense is the best part of my game; I want to work on my arm strength.”

Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“The leader I’ve become even though I was a quiet person my freshman and sophomore years.”

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