Club Scene: Big Movement In the South as Two Top Teams Get Transfers

It may be the “off-season” in softball with the holidays coming up, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of action going on off the fields.

Two of the top club programs in their respective age division–the Firecrackers-Sewell 16U team out of Georgia and the Birmingham Thunderbolts ’04 (14U)-Flannery team from Alabama–got significantly stronger this week as players were announced who will taking the field for their new teams starting this winter.

Here’s a closer look…

Birmingham Thunderbolts 04-Flannery

Ted Flannery already had a strong 14U team loaded with excellent 2022’s including pitchers Alea Johnson (LSU, Top 15 in the Extra Elite 100) and Emmah Rolfe (Auburn, Top 30 in the Extra Elite 100) to go with catcher Sam Roe (Florida) and OF Neely Taylor(uncommitted, a Top 40 in the Extra Elite 100)

The team went 4-1 at the Scenic City Fall Showcase in Chattanooga and 4-1-1 and the Sand Dollar Fall Showcase and looks to be a strong again and has announced the pick-up of two more outstanding players:

* Brionna Condon, a MIF/1B who is committed to South Carolina and was ranked in the Top 50 of the 2022 Extra Elite 100, has moved to the Bolts after playing with the Georgia Impact-Fisher program last year.

She’s an athletic shortstop with range and great arm strength. In 2017, she led the Impact to a 3^rdplace finish at PGF 12U Nationals and is also a standout track athlete with speed in the 200 and 400 meters.

Coach Flannery told Extra Inning Softball last night: “I’ve known Brionna since she was eight years old. She is a fierce competitor and an elite talent and always has been. I’m thrilled she decided to join our team and help us compete for a PGF championship.”

Brionna added, “I am excited to join the Thunderbolts 04 team and continue to compete at the highest level. I know this organization has produced many top collegiate players and I know they will continue to prepare me for the same.”

* Another key pick-up is power-hitting lefty Lindsey Long who has played previously with the Virginia Glory.

Says Coach Flannery: “Lindsey is a big 6-foot power hitter who swings it from the left side. She’s a threat to go deep every time she comes up to hit, but she also hits for a good average as well and will be a nice big target at first base.”