Extra Inning Softball recently released their final Class of 2021 player rankings. We would like to congratulate Bella Espinoza, Kylie Chung, Emma Sellers and Sophia Nugent on being named to ExtraInning Softball’s Extra Elite 100 for the Class of 2021. Kylie is ranked at 72, Bella checks in at #61, Emma is at #25 and Sophia is #2. This is quite an honor for these 4 players and reflects upon their hard work and dedication.
The full write ups can be viewed on ExtraInning Softball.
Kylie Chung
Extra Elite Ranking #72
Kylie is currently a Senior at Westlake High School in Westlake Village, CA.
Write-up from ExtraInning Softball:
Kylie is a versatile player who can hit for power and gets it done in the circle by hitting her sports and changing speeds. She is new to the Firecrackers after playing for the ACES previously and is impressing already with Tony Rico’s top 18U team. Kylie has gone 21-6 with a 1.77 ERA in her prep career at Westlake (Westlake Village, California) High including a 4-0 record this year with 33 K’s in 21 innings. Says Coach Rico: “Kylie is learning our system of play and should continue to develop over the course of the year.”
Bella Espinoza
Extra Elite Ranking #61
Bella is currently a Senior at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA.
Write-up from ExtraInning Softball:
Bella is a lefty slapper with valuable experience in the Firecrackers organization working with top coaches including Sean Brashear, Rob Weil and Tony Rico who says of the senior: “She is one of the most skilled slappers that we’ve ever had in our program. She’s super smooth and can put the ball in play against the game’s toughest pitchers.” Three years ago, she helped the 14U Brashear/Oakes team win the PGF Platinum title and has been improving ever since. Adds Coach Rico: “Because of this year’s challenging circumstances with COVID-19, Bella is still on the market, which is great for any program needing a #1 or #2 hitter in its lineup.”
Emma Sellers
Extra Elite Ranking #25
Emma is currently a Senior at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, CA.
Write-up from ExtraInning Softball:
Emma joined the Firecrackers two years ago and has been on an upward trajectory ever since. She utilizes her speed, power and softball IQ to apply multiple sources of pressure on the field. Emma can also play three infield positions and not miss a beat. One the preps said, she plays for a familiar face and voice in Rob Weil, who coaches her club and Los Alamitos (California) High teams. Emma was off to a strong start in 2020 as she was hitting .370 with 10 hits in her first nine games before the season was halted due to COVID-19. “Emma has done amazing,” says Tony Rico, head of the Firecrackers program. “We are looking forward to her being able to contribute immediately at South Carolina, where she committed in November of 2019.”
Sophia Nugent
Extra Elite Ranking #2
Sophia is currently a Senior at Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, CA.
Write-up from ExtraInning Softball:
Sophia has convinced many scouts and coaches that she is an elite catcher who is advanced not just on the field physically but in the mental game. Firecrackers coach Tony Rico states: “Sophia went from a raw power hitter to one who is now working hard on the mental aspect of her game which include pitch selection, count management and understanding scouting reports. She’s drawn comparisons to another Firecracker who went on to have a record-setting career at Oklahoma, Lauren Chamberlain. Sophia can hit mammoth home run blasts–and a lot of them–but she also hits for a high average. Playing high school ball for her club coach as well, Rob Weil, at Los Alamitos (California) High, the senior led her team last year in home runs and RBIs while also shining behind the dish, committing just one error all year. Sophia committed to the Sooners in October of 2019 and Coach Rico adds, “She should have an exciting career ahead of her at OU.” Click HERE to read more about this power-hitting catcher and see recent video of her in action.