Florida Gator softball recruit Ava Brown wins Gatorade POY
MONTGOMERY, Texas (BVM) — Some of the best high school softball prospects have already decided where to continue their softball careers. One of those prospects is Ava Brown, who chose to commit to the University of Florida.
The 5-foot-7 Brown led the No. 1 nationally ranked Lions to a Class 5A state title and a spectacular 41-0 overall record. The first baseman and right-handed pitcher put together a 30-0 record from the circle and had an ERA of 0.52. Along with an eye-popping ERA, Brown also struck out 335 batters in 183⅓ innings pitched. She only walked 24 batters that span too.
Aside from dominating the circle, Brown was also a feared batter. She batted .405 with 10 home runs, 12 doubles, 43 runs batted in and a .785 slugging percentage.
⚡️Congrats Ava Brown on being awarded the #txhssoftball @Gatorade Player of the Year!⚡️
Led @LakeCreek_SB to an undefeated 40-0 record and the Conf 5A #UILState Championship (named champ game MVP w/ 1-hit, 8-strikeout shutout).#GatoradePOY 🔗 https://t.co/fcS0w1V3wr pic.twitter.com/HqTWAoDkdu
— Texas UIL (@uiltexas) June 11, 2022
“Ava is able to dictate and control a game,” Kingwood Park High School head softball coach Kelsie McEachern said in a Gatorade press release. “Her passion shows after every single pitch. At the plate, she is just as dangerous. Calling pitches against her was like playing chess. Each pitch had to be executed precisely, or she was going to do some damage.”
According to Extra Innings softball, Brown is the No. 3 recruit in the Class of 2023. And the top recruit drew interest from multiple schools, but she decided to head to the Sunshine State.
Brown will be joining one of the top-tier softball programs in the nation in Florida. The Gators finished the 2021-22 season with a record of 49-19 (13-11 SEC), and the squad made it all the way to Oklahoma City before being knocked out by UCLA.
When Brown joins the Gators, she’ll have the opportunity to play for one of the best coaches in college softball–Tim Walton. Walton has an overall record of 888-201 at Florida. The five-time SEC Coach of the Year also helped the Gators softball programs set numerous records, including the NCAA single-season record for most wins (70). It also broke the SEC single-season record.
“I felt like I really fit in with the coaching staff at Florida,” Brown told the Houston Chronicle. “The atmosphere and everything there, it really binded with my personality. I felt everything and more when I was on campus. I could see myself playing there and winning a national championship there with girls I’ve grown up playing ball with and against. It was a home away from home.”
With one more year left at Lake Creek High School, Brown’s potential is sky-high. But when she reaches Florida, the competition will be greater than it is now. However, an athlete like Brown will be and is always ready to put her best performance out on the field.
I’m very blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Florida!! GO GATORS🧡💙🐊 pic.twitter.com/4muzQWrCsw
— Ava Brown (@avajbrownn) September 27, 2021
