We continue our look at top prospects from the 2017 class in advance of the launch of the 2017 Hot 100 list… today, we look at So Cal standout who’s headed to the SEC, but learn about a scary childhood accident that came close to preventing her from having a great softball future…

Name: LIVY SCHIELE
High School: The Bishop’s School
City: San Diego
State: Calif.
Grad Year:
Club: Batbusters – Fox 18U
Position: Centerfield
GPA: 3.6
College: Auburn

High School Stats: .526 batting average, 47 runs, 40 hits, 23 RBI, 29 steals, 6 triples, 18 walks in 24 games
Club Stats: hitting over .500 for Batbusters-Fox this fall
Honors: CalHiSports.com 2^nd Team All-State (Small Schools), 1^st Team All-Coastal League, holds seven single-season school records

Record Breaker: broke the 10-year-old Pro Agility mark at The Bishop’s School
Off the Field: coaches middle school softball players

Scary Injury: Livy overcame a horrific eye injury as a little girl when she was hit by a hard plastic football-shaped end of a medicine band training cord that was accidentally released by the friend of her brother. If it had struck her just a few millimeters over, Livy could’ve lost the eye, but fortunately it healed without long-term damage.

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Bonus coverage: last December we did a Player Profile on her and learned more about her Auburn commit and more… here are excerpts from that profile:

FullCountSoftball.com: your mom said if Auburn beat Alabama she’d OK you going there… tell us about that….
Livy Schiele: The truth is, my mom was coming around because she knew how much I wanted to go to Auburn.  I visited other schools like she wanted me to but my heart was still at Auburn.

FCS.com: You were at the ASU camp where Clint Myers noticed you and then found out shortly after he’d be leaving to go to Auburn.  What was your reaction to everything when that happened? 
LS: I was shocked, I’m sure like everybody else when I found out Coach Myers was going to Auburn.  But I didn’t mind that it was Auburn because I was in Alabama for Nationals about three years ago and while I was there I toured Auburn University and I loved it!  I also knew I wanted to play for Coach Myers because I want to play for a National Championship. He’s a great coach no matter where he is. I was even more excited when I found out Coach (Scott) Woodard was joining him at Auburn.

FCS.com: You sounded pretty sold on Auburn on your official visit in October.  What did you like so much about the school when you tripped there? 
LS: I had never seen anything like the school spirit they have at Auburn and everybody there is so friendly.  The whole town of Auburn revolves around Auburn University and its athletics.  We went to the Ole Miss football game and got to experience the Tiger Walk and after they won everyone headed to town to toilet paper Toomer’s Corner.  They have so much tradition there… it’s a cool place.

FCS.com: After your mom gave her “blessing,” how did you tell the coaches you were coming?  What was their reaction? 
LS: I called Coach Woodard and told him my mom said if Auburn beat Alabama I had her blessing and could commit.  He said “Geez, I’m glad we won in the last second!”

FCS.com: Being only a freshman, what did the coaches say they saw in you enough to offer?
LS: Coach Myers said he thought I was a special player and would make a big impact on the team.

FCS.com: Are you concerned about being so far from home in San Diego? 
LS: No, because I know my parents will be there as much as possible, especially my mom. She’s talking about getting an apartment there (laughs).

FCS.com: Did you do anything to celebrate the big commitment? 
LS: Yes, we went to my favorite restaurant, Benihana.

FCS.com: Any plans to go back to the campus in the near future? 
LS: I hope to go back once a year for either a football game or a camp or just to visit.

Quick Hitters

What do you want to major in?
Nursing.

What excites you most: getting a big hit, making a great defensive play or stealing a base (and why)?
A big hit because people see my size and they move in so I love hitting the ball over their heads.

Where do you like to go to “get away” or have some alone time? 
I don’t like to be alone.

What’s something that makes you unique or special? 
I’m a great friend and teammate.

Favorite meal:
Bean Burrito.

What would we find playing on your iPod or headphones? 
Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood.

What’s guaranteed to make you laugh? 
My dad.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing the world today?
People being judgmental and not accepting of others.

Do you have a motto or favorite saying or phrase you live by?
Play hard or go home.

The Holidays are fast approaching, what’s the No. 1 gift request on your wish list? 
Clothes!  Because I wear a uniform to school everyday.

Describe your feelings about softball in one word: 
Life.