Rylee Brown '18 Recruiting Profile

          Growing up in a small town guarantees you a spot on a team but that certainly doesn't make filling the spot any easier. Talent comes and goes through Cusick so as an 8th grader, I had to step up and fill some fairly massive shoes when our seniors graduated. I was placed on varsity with one intent in mind and that was to do what I had to do in order to fill my position to the fullest. This didn't just mean that I had to concentrate on my game play for the high school team, I had to learn to manage my time to maintain my grades as well as commitment to my junior high softball team. Being brought up as an 8^th grader meant I could play for HS but the I still had to put all I had into JH as well.

          This was my first real taste of responsibility and that year, my 8^th grade year, I had learned so much more than I had expected. I was coached to play every position in case of injury to one of the infield starters. I have long legs and a rather strong arm that made playing outfield convenient for me when our infield was filled, making that my starting place on varsity. I learned to pitch in minor league but gave that spot up long ago when I realized meatballs were hit all too often. Both my high school and JR high coach at the time taught me to be a universal player, mainly on the left side of the field though. Short stop, 3^rd base, and any outfield spots are my main positions but I know how to turn a double play at 2^nd, throw down to any base from home, and receive any random throw made to 1^st or 3^rd. That year, I was labeled the clutch hitter that would bring in RBIs if there were girls on base waiting to get home but that was only the start to my softball carrier. My freshman year, I was placed in left field at the beginning, then at short stop after accidentally causing our previous one a concussion with a 2-week absence. After she returned, I went back to left field but only for a moment before finally taking my spot at 3^rd near the end of the season when players decided to quit. I ended the season with a batting average of .578 and 8 home runs. My sophomore year, I continued to play at 3^rd base as well as short stop, finalizing my season with 4 home runs and a BA of .560. I can’t wait to see how this year is going to play out considering that we lost our pitcher, catcher, and 1^st base. Empty cleats are always in need of being filled and if there is one thing that I can do, it is just that.