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Here’s our TLI for Friday, Sept. 16, 2022:
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: KAYLI COUNTS
Cal-committed 2024 CF Kayli Counts recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Firecrackers 18U-TJ, choosing softball, improving her hitting, Kaniya Bragg, Cal, legal studies, Maya Brady, Lil Baby, “Victorious” and Mexican food.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
High School Spring Stats: .330 AVG.
Travel Ball Summer Stats: .370 AVG.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I just recently moved onto the Firecrackers Premier 16U team last November. They are the most inclusive team I have ever played with and created strong bonds with my teammates. The players and my coaches always had positive attitudes and pushed me to do my best.
Can you talk about your athletic journey and how you ended up choosing softball as your main sport? As a kid, I participated in lots of sports. I did gymnastics, soccer, basketball and even flag football, but softball was the most fun for me. I liked sliding and getting dirty and everyone cheering you on when you hit the ball.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? I am definitely trying to improve my hitting. I will admit my fielding is my strong side of the two, so this fall I am going to focus on hitting more consistently while still working to improve my fielding game.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? My toughest opponent was my own teammate, Kaniya Bragg. She is the best person I know at softball. The best hitter and fielder. She can do it all. I push myself to swing how she swings with power and speed and although we don’t play the same position, I always try to be better than her. I love Kaniya, and I am honored to have played by her side as she may not have known it, but she pushed me to be the best I could everyday.
How and why did you decide on Cal? I knew Cal had been watching me during the summer and I was familiar with their school. Cal is going to pave the way for me after softball with an excellent degree for my future. They also are a D1 softball school, which likes to complete in the Pac-12. It checks my two most important boxes when looking for a college. Not to mention their program is super inclusive and close knit. They also have so many resources to help me succeed academically and athletically at their school.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in going into legal studies because I find it interesting that there are so many rules and laws in the world.
Who is your sports hero and why? Maya Brady is my sports hero. Although she is a slightly new fave to UCLA, I look up to her. Her playing style and aggressiveness in the outfield and at the plate amazes me. I love turning on the TV to watch her do her thing.
What’s the best hype song and why? In my opinion, “Life Goes On” by Lil Baby is the best hype song. It gets me pumped up for games all the time!
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge is definitely “Victorious” because I watched it all the time as a kid. If I’m having a bad day I can always watch that show!
Do you have a secret talent/skill? Eating tons of Mexican food!
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