SOFTBALL: Female Athlete of the Week: Ally Brown becomes big hitter for Greencastle-Antrim

As a freshman, Ally Brown turned heads on the mound for Greencastle-Antrim's softball team.

This year, she's doing all of that and more, and she is the Public Opinion Female Athlete of the Week.

"When we started working out right after Thanksgiving, she was one of the girls that was always there," Blue Devil coach Mark DeCarli said. "You can see that she's become a lot stronger."

The hard work has definitely paid off. Brown is leading the Blue Devils with 27 RBIs in just 13 games. This week, Brown capped off a six-inning win over Boiling Springs with a grand slam to end the game. She was then 3-for-4 with a triple and six RBIs in a big win against Waynesboro, and she helped the Blue Devils beat Muhlenberg at the Big Spring Tournament with two hits, including a triple and two more RBIs.

"I really remember to relax, and I think I definitely visualize things a lot," Brown said. "Visualizing helps me feel what it's like to have solid contact with the ball and visualizing the pitch I want, then I go and get it."

DeCarli said, "For having that many RBIs in 13 games, she's obviously coming up big. She's getting a lot of clutch hits, and whenever she's up, you can count on her to get the big hit."

Brown uses that to her advantage. She thrives on those high-pressure situations.

"I try not to put a lot of pressure on myself and instead think about what my teammates are thinking," Brown said. "I obviously know that I've been doing better than I have in past seasons, and they want me at the plate. Knowing that other people want me up in that spot helps me relax."

The plate isn't her only comfort zone, either. Brown is one of the top pitchers for the Blue Devils, and she fired a five-hitter that featured six strikeouts and no walks against the Maidens.

"I've had some great games, but I've also had some not-so-great games," Brown said. "I think as the year progress, I'm going to improve; that's what happened last year. I'm looking forward to the end of the season, because even though I have had some success, I also know that I can do better."

Sport: Softball

Position: Pitcher/outfielder

Grade: Sophomore

Parents: Tom and Stacy Brown

Other interests: Brown likes being with friends and enjoys going to church and youth group.

Favorite team: Baltimore Orioles

Athlete most admired: Mary Ward

Three people she'd like to have dinner with: Her family, her pappy that passed away and her teammates.

Statistics: Brown was a big hitter in the Blue Devils' 3 wins this week; she finished 8-for-11 with a home run, 4 triples and 13 RBIs ... She also fired a 5-hitter with 6 strikeouts and no walks in a 17-2 win over Waynesboro.