Payton Summers '15 Recruiting Profile

I'm a JUCO transfer from Barton County Community College in Kansas. I didn't take a "normal" path to collegiate softball. After high school I moved to Utah to play volleyball on a Div. I scholarship but it soon hit me how much I love softball and missed it more than I ever imagined.

Every coach I've ever played for has told me I have great quickness and lateral movement. They like that I will commit 100% to keeping every ball from getting through the infield or hitting the ground. The most common thing I hear about my playing style is that I have a natural game-speed instinct and an uncanny ability to read the ball off the bat. It really makes me feel good when an umpire or the coach of the opposing team from a game I played tells me they have never seen hustle like I gave on the field.

I also love the fact that all of the coaches I have had, whether they be high school or club, trust me unconditionally to step into any role if the team suffers a loss through injury or otherwise. I have been expected to be the "go-to" player on all my teams. The level of confidence my coaches have had in me over the years is very rewarding and motivational. My coaches have all named me either officially or unofficially team captain, as I work hard to make the players around me better through my work ethic, attitude and leadership. I believe in building my teammates up through encouragement and positive reinforcement.