Emma Whitfield is a softball superstar, and while she doesn’t play any other sports, that’s just fine with her.
“Playing only softball has helped me put all my focus on one thing,” says Whitfield. “I can go to practices, lessons, and games year-round.”
Whitfield, a sophomore sensation for Stephens County, led the Lady Indians to a record-breaking season in which they advanced to their very first Elite 8. While she contributed offensively and displayed her power with a .242 average, 2 homeruns and 17 RBI, it is her pitching that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
“…my dream would be to play Division I in the SEC or ACC.” -Emma Whitfield
The Elite 8 run, Whitfield notes as one of her favorite moments of her career so far, as the team made school history and got to play against the best teams in the state while in Columbus.
Whitfield, the BLITZ Co-Softball Player of the Year, recorded a 24-5 record in 2016 with a microscopic 0.92 ERA, striking out 232 batters. Whitfield has revealed the secret to her success.
“The key to my success is taking care of the little things, paying attention to detail, and having discipline,” says Whitfield.
Easier said than done for your typical high school sophomore, but Emma Whitfield is anything but typical.
The sky continues to be the limit for Whitfield, a Division-I prospect who has garnered attention from many collegiate programs as early as her freshman year.
“Currently the University of North Georgia, Georgia College, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern, and The University of Georgia are looking at me,” says Whitfield. “I like all these schools, and my dream would be to play Division I in the SEC or ACC.”
Her accolades from this past season also include being named 1st Team All-Region 8-AAAA and 8-AAAA Co-Player of the Year and Team MVP. She was also named Team MVP and 1st Team All-Region as a freshman in 2015. Her full arsenal of pitches (fastball, rise, change-up, curve, drop and screw) have been on full display year-round, where she has also played with USA Elite Select Nationals (2016), PGF Nationals (2016), Birmingham Thunderbolts 5 Star (2016) as well as at the Scenic City Summer Showcase, Champions Summer Showcase and Georgia Dugout Club Showcase within the past year.
That’s a lot of softball, which typically can lead to injuries or burn-out. Not for Whitfield.
“I try to always have a good routine of keeping my arm well cared for by good warm ups and icing after games,” states Whitifeld. “I also lift weights regularly and more intensely in the winter to increase my strength and prevent injury.”
Off the field, Whitfield is heavily involved in many clubs, including Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Anchor Club, Jobs for GA Grads (JGG) and Skills USA. She is an exceptional student-athlete, sporting a perfect 4.0 GPA and is an Honor Student. She is the daughter of Brad and Angela Whitfield.
While many high school athletes with half of her talent and success struggle with staying humble, Whitfield is quick to give praise to those who helped get her to where she is now.
“I could never be where I am today without my wonderful parents, all my other amazing family members, friends, coaches, teammates, and above all my almighty God,” states Whitfield. “I am very blessed to have parents, family, coaches, and friends that invest so much time and money into me and my dreams.”
While all 11 of the young women up for Now Habersham Athlete of the Year were well-deserving, Whitfield narrowly edged out Habersham’s Lainey Gosnell and Tallulah Falls’ Anna Davis in the public voting.
“I am very humbled to have won these accomplishments, and it means a lot to me,” says Whitfield of winning Now Habersham Athlete of the Year and BLITZ Softball Co-Player of the Year.
