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).

We start our rundown with a catcher/first baseman who is staying on the West Coast to play in the Pac-12…

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BIO:

Player: MORGANNE FLORES
Hometown: Cypress, Calif.
Club Team: OC Batbusters – Haning/Stith
College: Washington
Bio: Elite defensive catcher, 1st Team All-Orange Co. Register, hit .439, 2015 Hot 100 No. 8, hit .318 at PGF for the two-time defending National Champion OC Batbusters – Stith/Haning team with one HR and 7 RBI (3rd on team)

HIT CLUB:

Award: Best Teammate
Roommate: Cherish Burks (Oregon)
Favorite event/activity of LS Hit Club & why: “Sue Enquist talking because it made me feel more prepared for college.”
One key takeaway you learned/will use: “All the speakers’ talks and what they had to say.”
Funniest person of group: “Regan Dykes (Alabama)
Best memory of event: “The competition!”
Hit Club scouting report: Morganne was described by one of her Hit Club peers as “kind and humble hearted” while another says she is “calm and laid back” and the “first person to have a real conversation with me on the trip.” Likable and fairly quiet, Morganne is the quintessential teammate who’s the glue that keeps a dugout together. She lets her play on the field speak for her and has a big bat but is accurate too. In the Hit Club Competition she came in 3^rd in the home run derby and the target practice (hitting towards a net for points). Possessing good bat control and hand/eye coordination, she even came in 4^th in the bunting drills.

SOFTBALL PERSPECTIVE:

Best high school/club experience:
“Winning this year’s PGF Nationals.”

Why did you choose Washington?
“Because it has a great mix of softball and academics.”

What factors led into it?
“The education I’ll get, the weather, the area and the softball program.”

Advice to young players/recruits:
“Don’t be scared to take advantage of a great opportunity because they are rare!”

Best advice you’ve been given:
“Things are never as bad as it seems, there will be better days.”

Thing looking forward to most in college:
“Experiencing being away from home.”

Aspect of college that worries you/you’re nervous about:
“Meeting and exceeding my expectations as well as fulfilling my goals in softball.”

What do you want to do after softball ends?
“Be an environmental scientist.”

What part of your game do you do best? And want to work on?
“I am a good catcher and want to try to lead more on the field.”

Looking back on your softball career to this point, what stands out?
“The friendships I’ve made the coaches I’ve been coached by.”

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