We start our first of many freshman spotlights to learn more about elite players who are already under consideration for the 2018 Hot 100 list by heading to the Midwest.

Today’s profile is a versatile player with great academics who will one day be calling the Big Ten home!

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Name: ASHLEY PRANGE

High School: New Palestine
City: New Palestine
State: 
Ind.
Grad year: 2018
Club: Indiana Magic Gold
Position(s): SS/C
GPA: 4.0

Honors & Accomplishments: Part of the 2014 TC/USA Nationals runners-up; Academic Honor Awards (4.0 GPA every semester); Presidential Physical Fitness Award
Off the Field: Special Olympics volunteer, local community service fundraisers. “I like to run and work out, be with friends and family and work with younger athletes.”

College: Ohio State (committed as an 8^th grader)

Coach’s Comments: “Many aspects of Ashley’s game drew the attention of the college coaches. Her incredible arm strength would be the first thing that was noticed. She made plays others couldn’t because of that strength. Ashley’s work ethic is obvious and made her what she is today. Ashley is one of the most consistent hitters I’ve ever had play for me and that is a direct result of the hours she has logged in the batting cages and on the Tee’s.” — Brian Green (Indiana Magic)

My Thoughts on Softball: “There’s no better place than being on the field with my teammates playing the game we love!”

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The info below is from a Player Profile we did on Ashley last June:

FullCountSoftball.com: You must have strong ties to Ohio State or really clicked to have committed as an eighth grader!  What was it about the Buckeyes you like so much that you committed now?
Ashley Prange: The coaches are incredible and really made me feel at home when I was visiting. The program is very family oriented and made me feel like I was already part of the team. Also, Ohio State is one of the top schools in the country for Veterinary medicine, which I plan to study.

FCS.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the coaches, then how long until they offered?
AP: I was first seen by the coaches in the fall of 2013, and they offered in April 2014.

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what were the top factors?
AP: I decided to commit on May 15. It is one if the top schools in what I plan to study and it is only two and a half hours away from home.

FCS.com: How did you tell the OSU coaches (where were you) and what did you say exactly?
AP: I called Coach Schoenly on a Thursday evening at home and I told her, “My parents and I have been thinking, we really like everything about Ohio State, and we would like to accept your offer.”

FCS.com: Did you do anything fun to celebrate making it official?
AP: To celebrate, my family and I went out for dinner the following Friday at my favorite restaurant.

FCS.com: How far away from home will be?  Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
AP: OSU is about two and a half hours away from home. Distance was definitely a factor, I wanted to be no further than 4-6 hours away.

FCS.com: What is it about your game that got you this offer even before you’re in the 9th grade?
AP: I would say the top factors in my offer are my athleticism and arm strength, throwing has always been natural for me.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
AP: My top memory so far from my career is finishing second in nationals followed by hitting my first home run last summer in Colorado.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What career are you leaning to at this point?
The career I am leaning towards at this point is veterinary medicine.

Fill in the blank… I’m the most happy when:_________________
… I am with friends and family.

What is one thing about Indiana that makes you say you’re proud to be from there?
I’m proud to be from Indiana because of the great hospitality it is known for.

Favorite food:
Pizza.

Dream vacation?
Aruba.

If you could hang out with one person in the world for an entire day, who would you pick?
Jennie Finch.

What are you mostly likely to do on a weekend—go to a movie, go to the mall, hang out at home or do something else?
On free weekends I like to hang out with my friends because I don’t see them often when we are traveling in the summer.

What type of bat do you use (and why do you like it)?
I use an Easton Mako because I like the way the ball comes off the bat and I’ve had my best hits with an Easton.

Who always makes you laugh?
My best friend/teammate, Danielle Watson always makes me laugh even though she lives three hours away.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I have gone swimming with sharks on a vacation in Florida.

Describe in one word your personality on the softball field…
Determined.

Which is better, a cat or dog (and why)?
Dogs are better than cats because I can take them with me when I run and they shag softballs for me when I am hitting in the yard.

Where can we find you this summer as you travel playing ball?
We will be playing PGF in Ohio, Scenic Sixteens in Chattanooga, Midwest Premier in Ohio, Freedom in Colorado, and the Triple Crown nationals/Atlanta Legacy in Atlanta.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
The person I look up to the most is God because he is the one who gave me the ability to play softball, and he blesses me daily with so many things.