FPN Top Prospect Report: 2020’s NO. 15-20
All teams/athletes were contacted for response to be featured. Please contact us at support@fastpitchnews.com to submit!
NO. 15 / RILEY BLAMPIED
GEORGIA IMPACT – LEWIS
MIF/C
ALABAMA
A lot of excitement surrounded Riley Blampied during her recruiting process and for good reason. Another impressive five-tool player, Blampied can do it all and plays years above her age.
FPN: Tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you play in other sports or participate in any other activities? Pets? Family? Etc?
RB: I am Riley Blampied. I am a Junior at Crisp County High School in Cordele, Ga. I play softball and basketball. In my spare time, I like to go shopping and hang out with friends. I have two dogs. I have an outside dog, a Huskey named Dakota. I also have an inside dog, a Golden Doddle, named Cali. My parents are Kevin and Benita Blampied. I have three older brothers, Michael, Chad, and Cory.
FPN: Please share some of your favorite softball accomplishments.
RB: My biggest softball accomplishments are winning PGF National Championship with Georgia Impact Lewis 18U Premier. I also set the single-season home run record for my high school team this season with 17 home runs. Also, being selected to try out for the Junior National Team. This was a great honor.
FPN: What is something about you people may not know? Do you have any hidden/fun/silly talents?
RB: I love buying shoes. I turned one of the rooms in my house into a huge walk-in closet just for my shoes. I was injured playing softball my Sophmore year. I tore my Labrum, had a fracture and had surgery on my left arm. I missed the entire summer of travel ball and my Sophmore season of high school. I have worked hard to overcome this injury and to get back to playing the game I love, softball.
FPN: What goals do you have for yourself both in the coming months and the long term?
RB: The next couple of months my goals are to focus on the rest of my Junior year of High School in the classroom and lead Georgia Impact Lewis 18U Premier team to another National Championship. Long term I want to go into the University of Alabama and become an All American and also in my Freshmen year in college I want to try out for the Junior National Team again and make it this time.
FPN: What is your favorite softball memory? Conversely, what is your most difficult softball memory? How did you overcome that or what did you learn?
RB: My favorite softball memory is when we got to the final out to win the PGF National Championship and we all ran onto the middle of the field and dogpiled. One of my most difficult softball memories is being invited to the Junior National Team tryouts and coming up short. This was a recent event but, it was pretty hard to overcome not being picked for the Junior National Team. I am determined to work even harder to make the team in two years. I have learned I’m not always going to be able to succeed in everything I attempt but, I have to get back up and try again working even harder to follow my dreams.
FPN: Why do you love the game of softball?
RB: I love the game of softball because I’ve worked so hard to be a great player. Since I was four years old it has always been a dream to play college softball and to be known as one of the best players around the whole country. Softball has given me so many great opportunities to meet new people and to compete at many different levels of the game.
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NO. 16 / JESSIE FONTES
SO CAL CHOPPERS – FAUSETT
P
ARIZONA
Jessie Fontes is a force in the circle as well as at the plate and has been committed to Arizona since 2015.
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NO. 17 / HAYDEN BROWN
Texas Glory – Naudin
Catcher
LSU
A dream catcher for any coach, Hayden Brown is a strong leader on the field and behind the plate. She is also deadly with the bat.
FPN: Tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you play in other sports or participate in any other activities? Pets? Family? Etc?
HB: Originally I am from Lubbock,Texas! My family and I moved to Keller, Texas the summer of my freshman year. I have a lovely family, my amazing parents Kristi and Court, and my awesome little brother Holden. My family is some of my biggest supporters and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them! In my spare time I like to go practice, hunt and fish. I am the president of FCA(Fellowship of Christian Athletes).
FPN: Please share some of your favorite softball accomplishments?
HB: Being able to play the game at a high level with Texas Glory Naudin created many opportunities for me. My freshman year I was blessed to commit to Louisiana State University. Being fortunate enough to play the game I love is a accomplishment alone.
FPN: What is something about you people may not know? Do you have any hidden/fun/silly talents?
HB: I love love love the outdoors. I love Texas Country Music @aaronwatson!I love hunting, fishing, and watching the west Texas sunsets.
FPN: What goals do you have for yourself both in the coming months and the long term?
HB: First I want to honor God on and off the field. I want to play for Coach Torina and be a big contributor to the LSU Softball program. I also want to play in the Olympics and win gold.
FPN: What is your favorite softball memory? Conversely, what is your most difficult softball memory? How did you overcome that or what did you learn?
HB: Last summer on Kevin Shelton’s 2018 squad we were playing the championship game against The Batbusters in Kansas City. We went 0-0 all the way to the 7th inning. Lindsey Edwards, Gracie Morton and I hit back to back to back homeruns, resulting in a championship win! The energy and atmosphere was one that I’ll never forget.
FPN: Why do you love the game of softball?
HB: I love the way the bat feels in my hands. I love the grass, the field, the bases, the players , the rivals, the game. I love practicing, playing and preparing. I love the new connections and relationships that are created through the sport. I don’t think there is a word to describe how I feel about softball. I love the game and all it has to offer.
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NO. 18 / SHELBY LOWE
BIRMINGHAM THUNDERBOLTS
P/1B
AUBURN
Shelby Lowe was unstoppable at this season’s 16U PGF National title. She dominated and carried her team through 10 victories
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NO. 19 / JAYDA KEARNEY
JERSEY INTENSITY
OF
GEORGIA
Jayda Kearney is nothing short of pure athleticism and fun when she plays. The speedster commands the outfield and wrecks havoc on all opponents.
FPN: Tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you play in other sports or participate in any other activities? Pets? Family? Etc.
JK: I like to do a lot in my free time. I hang out with friends, go to the movies, go to the beach, and I also really enjoy writing stories when I am bored. I’d like to think I have a pretty creative mindset, and I let it all out through writing. I play basketball for high school, and I have been playing basketball ever since I was a little girl. I have two dogs; a Pekingese (her name is Paris) and a Bulldog (his name is Moose). I got Paris when I was a lot younger, and I got Moose freshman year as somewhat of a token from when I committed to UGA when I was in 8th grade. I’m an only child, and that’s pretty nice.I get a lot of attention, and honestly with how serious, time consuming, and expensive being a competitive athlete is, it would’ve been 10 times harder for my parents to help me get to where I am now if I had siblings.
FPN: Please share some of your favorite softball accomplishments? Conversely, what is your most difficult softball memory/moment? How did you overcome that or what did you learn.
JK: I have a lot of softball memories/accomplishments that have stuck with me and probably will for the rest of my life, so I’m just going to leave you with two. The first one obviously was when I committed to UGA. I can’t even explain how happy and unforgettable that moment was, and it impacted my life for the better ever since. The second accomplishment would probably have to be when I hit my first walk off home run. We all know that feeling when your team in down, and it’s the last inning and one swing could win the game. We WANT to be in that situation. We LIVE for that moment. Adrenaline flowing through your body like crazy. When I got that chance to change the game and actually did, it was crazy. Something I will truly never forget. My most difficult softball memory doesn’t really have to do with specifically softball but it did impact me in the game. Last year I lost one of my best friend due to a blood clot in the brain. He was someone I could talk to when I was in my head during tournaments, he would help me push through my problems, and get myself together so I wouldn’t be in my head for my next games. Not knowing how I was going to get through the good and bad days (whether it had to deal with softball or not) without my best friend was scary to me. Although, I didn’t let that break me. I know he’s with me, and always will be. I have used the loss of Malcolm as fuel to be great even when I’m down I always have a reason to play because I know at any time, any second, I can lose it all. He has opened my eyes, and I will forever put everything on the field for him.
FPN: What is something about you people may not know? Do you have any hidden/fun/silly talents?
JK: Something that people may not know about me is that I am really into the power of positive thinking. I believe in messaging that helps people realize their worth, be able to find a way to love themselves more, to give them the strength to conquer and achieve all things. Awhile ago, I wrote myself a personal message to read every morning, and start off my day with a great mindset. The message says “A lot of things may seem awful, or too hard in your life, but you have also been gifted and have worked hard to obtain a lot of amazing things and have overcame a lot of tragedies. You have been given strength, and when you’re time comes you will be able to shine brighter and love harder than anyone else. Just give it time and never give up”. This message tells me that no matter what happens, I can get through it no matter what because I am the strongest person I know. A hidden talent that I have would probably be writing. I enjoy writing a lot, especially when I read what i write to other people and they enjoy it too. I would enjoy expanding my options with writing and sharing what I write to benefit others in the future. Maybe becoming advocator of some sort, or even as little as blogging.
FPN: What goals do you have for yourself both in the coming months and the long term?
JK: I have multiple goals for myself in the coming months, and long term. One of the first goals is to start my summer travel softball season, and play better than I ever have. Also, I want to become Gatorade Player of the Year, and will do anything to achieve that. Another goal is once I get to college, I want to dominate. I want to show everyone what a small town Jersey girl can do on a big stage. I also want to do very well academically. I want to be a well rounded person, and put myself in the best position I can for the future. Finally, I want to be an inspiration to all girls trying to do big things with their life, and show them that no task is too hard if we really want it.
FPN: Why do you love the game of softball?
JK: I love softball for so many reasons. This sport is my life, and it has been for awhile. Softball is a getaway from the real world. No matter what is going on in my life I am always able to look forward to playing softball. It is my happiness, and it has impacted my life in so many ways. Softball has made me, and will continue making me into the person I am. It has taught me to be an independent, smart, determined, and relentless young woman. It has made me extremely confident, and ready to take on anything this world has to throw at me because this sport has showed me how to deal with adversity. Not only has it gotten me to be able to attend my dream college in the future, but It has been my best friend. It may stress me out at times, but I couldn’t me more grateful to have been introduced to this sport.
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NO. 20 / STORMY KOTZELNICK
BEVERLY BANDITS
3RD/UTL
WASHINGTON
A big-time talent, Stormy Kotzelnick is a five-tool athlete and a terror at the plate for her opponents. Learn a little more about Stormy below!
FPN: Tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you play in other sports or participate in any other activities? Pets? Family? Anything along those lines.
SK: As the athlete I am today I don’t exactly have a whole lot of spare time between school work and training, however I did just get a new puppy (husky) which is for sure time consuming! Moving from that id also say that as a person you’d never catch me in a dull moment, I’m very outgoing and love to joke around as well as be serious when the time comes;) I love to spend time with my friends and teammates especially the ones that have the challenge of a further distance away from me:(
FPN: Please list some of your favorite softball accomplishments?
SK: Some of my favorite softball accomplishments at the top of my list, going to my dream school, Washington is a special place and I’m blessed to get to go there. Being ranked number 7 was definitely up there as well because it brings me joy knowing that all the dedicated work I’ve put in has been seen by others!! But not only that I’m over satisfied in my accomplishment of making some of the best friends along the years of playing this game.
FPN: What is something about you people may not know? Do you have any hidden/fun/silly talents?
SK: Something a lot of people probably don’t know about me is that I can actually draw pretty good. I’ve also found it very medicating, once I’m in that stage I can’t stop… so my pieces turn out unexpectedly well!
FPN: What goals do you have for yourself both in the coming months and the long term?
SK: My main goal at the moment is to make the junior Olympic team. I’ve really felt like this is the moment I’ve waited for, for a long time now and I’m ready to get after it. As for long term I’d say something more along the lines of pursing my dream job of a sports broadcaster.
FPN: What is your favorite softball memory? Conversely, what is your most difficult softball memory? How did you overcome that or what did you learn?
SK: My best softball memory is from the 2017 summer ball season. That year was one of my favorite because it seemed like everyday we stepped on the field together, was a day that more memories were made. On the flip side of that… it was also the year that we placed 3rd at PGF sadly because we had to play our own bandit team in order to advance. However we did win Colorado that year and I can say I’ve never felt more happy with my teammates than that weekend. It’s always a memorable trip and I love every minute of it! I found myself learning that the game will not always be played in your favor but to never give up that summer.
FPN: Why do you love the game of softball?
SK: I love the game of softball because it gives me opportunities that nothing else can. It’s allows me to express myself and show who I truly am when I’m on the field. I have such a passion that it has become apart of my life to work on the game everyday to succeed. Along with opportunities to stride later in life…getting employed, working with kids etc.
