One 2016 player whose stock has really gone up this summer is Hannah Edwards, the outfielder from Catasauqua (Pa.). Several college and club coaches have noted her play.

She’ll also be playing for a new team—Newtown Rock Gold-Garvey—as her previous team and organization, Lower South Liberty, is reportedly no longer in existence.

We featured Hannah in a couple articles from mid-March when she committed to play for Pitt… you can read the Player Profile below.

Here some of the highlights from her club and high school play which have people in the know suggesting she’s a strong candidate for the 2016 Hot 100 list:

• Hannah had 63 hits while batting .521 with an OBP of .577 this summer.
• She also stole 40 bases and scored 41 runs.
• In Colorado, she went 9-for-15 for an on-base percentage of .600.
• At the PGF Nationals she batted .538
• During her first two years of high school ball, Hannah has 99 hits, stole 83 bases, and scored 73 runs while not making an error in the outfield.
• Her two year batting average is .619 with an OBP of .657 and a slugging percentage of .713.
• During her freshman year, Hannah set school records for hits, steals, runs, batting average and on-base percentage.
• She is a two-time 1st team All-Colonial League member and All-Area honoree.
• Hannah is also the only athlete in the history of Catty High school to be named a 1st team All-State pick in both her Freshman and Sophomore years
• The outfielder was named to the MaxPreps Underclass All-American team as a freshman.
• In 2014 she received the Catty Press Female Athlete of the Year Award.
• Hannah also continues to be ranked No. 1 academically in her class.
• A great all-around athlete, she also plays field hockey where she is also a two-time All Colonial League selection and a two-time Morning Call All-Area member.
• Hannah has been the leading scorer for her field hockey team the last two years.
• Last year she was also the Colonial League’s leading scorer and set a school record by handing out 23 assists.
• She was recently named Captain for the start of her junior year in field hockey.

Bonus coverage!  Here’s the Player Profile done on Hannah from March, 2014

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PLAYER PROFILE: HANNAH EDWARDS

Grad Year: 2016
Pos: Centerfielder
High School: Catasauqua (Pa.)
GPA: 101.98%
Club: Lower South Liberty Gold
Stats: (club, 2013 fall) hit .457 with 25 runs scored, 26 steals and OBP of .498
Honors:  MaxPreps Softball Underclass All-American, 1st Team Pennsylvania All-State, 1st Team All-Colonial League, Morning Call Rookie of the Year
College: Pitt

 

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FullCountSoftball.com: You’re No. 1 in your high school class of 113 so you’re obviously doing a great job of managing your time… what are you doing to effectively balance sports, academics and other areas of your life?
Hannah Edwards: The biggest thing for me is prioritizing. I understand that academics are very important, along with athletics. I make sure to fulfill my obligations in both these subjects first, before I worry about my social life.

My older brother, Zac, set a very good example for me. He was the Valedictorian and excelled in sports. Currently, he is a freshman baseball player at Lebanon Valley College. I look up to him as a role model and try to gain the balance of academics and athletics that he has.

FCS.com: What would be a piece of advice you’d give another student-athlete in how to do well academically as well as athletically?
HE: In everything you do, always strive to be the best. Work hard, stay focused, and put in extra time. In school, I always make sure to ask questions and study for tests and quizzes. I take time out of my day and dedicate it to academics. Athletically, I’m always focused to get the job done. I’m never satisfied, so I make sure to get extra reps. I try to perfect the little things. If you’re focused to succeed, then you will.

FCS.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the Pitt coaches and how the recruiting process evolved until they offered?
HE: I was first seen by Pitt at Team New Jersey this past summer. They continuously came out to watch me during the summer, then in the fall. I took an unofficial visit in November and that’s when they offered. 

FCS.com: How did you learn they had offered you?
HE: On my unofficial visit, I sat down and talked with the coaches. This is when they offered me.

FCS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
HE: I committed on March 17, 2014. The previous weekend I came back and watched them play against UNC. That’s when I realized that I wanted to compete in a great conference, like the ACC. Pitt also has great academics, especially in their science programs. That’s when I knew that it was the right choice.

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
HE: A couple days after my second unofficial visit, I called Coach Aprile and told her that I’d love to come to Pitt and build a program that’s a tough competitor in the ACC.

FCS.com: How far away from home will be?  Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
HE: I’ll be about five hours away from home. Distance wasn’t really a factor in my decision. I was just looking for a place that I felt comfortable in, that had both great academics and athletics. 

FCS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
HE: I’m a competitor. I hate to lose! I play with heart and passion. My opponent might have an advantage, but I’ll make sure to out-work them just to win. Most people say that I have many tools as a softball player. I can drag bunt, soft slap, chop, power slap, and hit for power. I try to keep the defense guessing, and capitalize on what they are giving me. Once I get on the bases, I’m very aggressive, but can rationalize on what decisions to make. I love to use my speed.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
HE: The top memory for me so far has been winning the Colonial League Championship my freshman year in high school. It was the first championship in softball in 32 years!

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to major in?
Sport and Exercise Science.

What’s a social issue you have a particular interest in?
Obesity.

Favorite subject:
Math.

Least favorite chore:
Dusting.

Best advice you’ve ever received…
It’s not how big you are, it’s how big you play.

What’s your dream vacation?
Snorkeling and going to the beach in Hawaii.

What type of bat do you use (and why do you like it)?
I use a Xeno, made by Louisville Slugger. I love the balance it has. If I want power, I can hit it on the sweet spot. If I want to bunt or soft slap, I know where to catch it so the ball dies. I also love the sound it makes!

What do you do to “recharge your batteries”?
Sleep!

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
Most people think that I rely on my speed, but I was the leading home run hitter on my high school team as a freshman. One game I led off with a home run!

Do you have any softball rituals or superstitions?
Yes! I’m very superstitious! I have to wear my hair the same way every game with my lucky bow! Before every at bat, I spit on my batting gloves, then lick my fingers between every pitch.

What’s playing in your ear buds/headphones these days?
I like listening to country, but on game days, I make sure to listen to songs that are upbeat to pump me up and get in the zone.

What inspires you most in life?
My will to succeed. I always want to win and be the best I can be. That drives me to push my limits and raise my goals higher. My brother also inspires me to succeed in everything I do. When we work out together, he makes sure I’m always giving 110%.