Today my high school team won regionals. Our bats, fielding, catching & pitching were on point. I pitched 4.1 innings, faced 14 batters, got 11 KO’s, walked 1 & zero hits against me. One game at a time! Next stop…sectionals. @GNHSSball@GraysPrideDB_09
Welcome Riley O'Brien @rileyob2009 to the Scout #Softball Chicago National Showcase. O'Brien is a '28 RHP from Grayslake, IL. Riley is showing more and more command, especially up in the zone and on the curve.
🚨 WHEN A COLLEGE COACH IS AT YOUR GAME… READ THIS 🚨
It’s not just another tournament.
It’s not just another at-bat.
It’s not just about stats.
When a college coach is on the fence, you are being evaluated on everything.
Not just the swing.
Not just the throw.
Not just the 60 time.
EVERYTHING.
They are watching:
👀 Your body language after you strike out
👀 Your reaction when you boot a ground ball
👀 How you respond to a bad call
👀 How you support your teammates
👀 How you carry yourself between innings
👀 Your hustle on routine plays
👀 Your focus when the ball isn’t hit to you
They’re asking themselves:
Is she steady under pressure?
Does she think the game or just react to it?
Can she adjust pitch to pitch?
Does she know where the next play is before it happens?
Is she coachable?
Is she competitive without being chaotic?
Because here’s the truth:
College coaches recruit BODY LANGUAGE.
They recruit GAME IQ.
They recruit LEADERSHIP.
They recruit MATURITY.
The physical tools might get their attention.
The small details earn the offer.
So when you see that coach behind the backstop…
Don’t play tight.
Don’t play for stats.
Don’t play for one moment.
Show them how athletic you are.
Take the risks.
The athletes who separate themselves at the next level?
They dominate the tiny details.
And coaches always notice.
As college softball season gets closer, I want you watching games with intention — not just as a fan, but as a student of the game.
Every inning is an opportunity to learn. Every pitch tells a story.
Here’s what I hope you’re paying attention to when you watch 👀👇
When you watch college softball, watch for:
• How players compete when things aren’t going their way
Bad calls. Tough innings. Errors. Notice who stays steady and who spirals.
• Body language between pitches and between plays
Confidence is quiet. Watch how elite athletes carry themselves even after failure.
• Communication
Infield chatter. Dugout energy. Pitcher–catcher connection. This matters more than you think.
• Tempo and pace of play
College softball moves fast. Notice how prepared players are before the ball is hit.
• Defensive urgency
Every rep matters. No jogging. No coasting. Effort is non-negotiable.
• How hitters adjust
Early swings vs late swings. What changes after strike one? After an out? After an at-bat doesn’t go their way?
• Situational awareness
Score. Outs. Runners. Count. Great players always know the situation.
• Coach–player interactions
Corrections, encouragement, accountability. This tells you a lot about program culture.
• The little things
Backups. Cutoffs. Hustle on and off the field. These are the details coaches notice.
Watching with intention helps you play with intention.
If you want to play at the next level, stop watching passively.
Watch like a future college athlete.
Learn like one.
Prepare like one.
Everything you do in this process should be intentional — including how you watch the game.
Can’t wait for Summer with this squad! Coaches looking for 27s & 28s...we hope to see you behind the backstop watching these talented young ladies!!
Here are some of my highlights from the Select 64 Showcase in Columbus, OH. The first few seconds of the clip is me hitting a 3 run HR to left field. Pitching & fielding highlights follow the HR. Total fall stats coming soon! @D1Softball@LineDsoftball@ExtraInningSB
Thank you to all the coaches who came out to watch our team play at the #LP4U Strikeout Cancer showcase last weekend in Peoria. My pitching stats for the 5 games:
IP - 12.2
BF - 56
ER - 1
BB - 13
SO - 18
These ladies are fun to watch play. Come see em’ in action!!
We have Grayslake round robins the last two Sundays in September before we get into our showcases in October. #finaledit
Another great @NUSBcats camp. For the 1st time I got to wear a pitch calling watch & it was so cool! Love meeting girls from all over & competing with some of the best! Thank you coaches & players for a great camp! @katedrohan@CarylDrohan@Mgascoigne32 @TonySmithNUSB
Uncle Charlie’s MIDWEST MADNESS TOURNAMENT CHAMPS!! 👀🏆
We went 8-0 this weekend and it won 4 games in bracket play on Sunday. Pitching stats for the weekend: IP=21, SO=28, BB=9
@GraysPrideDB_09
Learning from some of the best at the @DDSBandEvents camp on Weds. I appreciate all the coaches who were there & the feedback I got from coaches about my pitching, fielding & hitting. Always working on my dream! @LSUsoftball@LSU_SandraMoton@zjermain_15
Started the weekend with a 9-1 WIN this morning 🥎💪My team & I plan to keep it going tomorrow! Hope to see some coaches at our games! @GraysPrideDB_09
Congratulations @alyna_matarieh@rileyob2009@PiperBerry2028 for making the All Area Honorable Mention!
Introducing the 2025 News-Sun Softball All-Area Team https://t.co/wciHp6Sq4t