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My name is Claire McDowell, Class of 2028, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. My primary position is 1B, but I also play 3B at Parkview Baptist High School as well as for my travel team, Maniax Grant 18U. I bat and throw right-handed, and I am a contact hitter but am developing into a combination hitter. On defense, I bring focus, consistency, and clear communication, and I take pride in helping lead and support my teammates on every play. I also lettered in both my 8th Grade (2024) and my Freshman season (2025). Last season (2025), my team won the LHSAA District 3A Championship and advanced to the semifinals of the LHSAA Division III (select) State Tournament. Defense is a strength of my game. I finished last season with a .958 fielding percentage, 71 total chances, and 65 putouts at 1B and 3B. My current metrics (as of January 2025) include a 68 MPH average exit velocity, 60 MPH average throwing velocity, 3.1 home-to-first, and 12.8 home-to-home. Midway through last season, I made adjustments to my swing and am now working twice a week with my batting coach, Trae Duncan, to develop more power at the plate while maintaining consistency. My goal is to consistently average exit velocity in the lower 70s before the end of the school season. I also train three times a week with a strength and agility coach, which is helping me build the power and speed needed to compete at the next level. I am very coachable and always looking to improve all aspects of my game. Being dyslexic has taught me that nothing comes easy, which is why I believe extra work and dedication are essential to success. Balancing academics, high school and travel softball, team workouts, and private lessons has made me disciplined, focused, and accountable. This season, my high school team's motto is "One Team, One Heart, All In", and it reflects how I approach the game. I believe in showing up prepared, giving full effort, and being fully invested as a teammate every day. My coaches describe my "superpower" as Faith and Fire. Outside of softball, I enjoy giving back to my community. I volunteer with the IRIS Women's Domestic Violence Center and work each summer at the Parkview Softball Camp, where I help run drills and mentor younger players. I also value time with my family and enjoy deer hunting, as well as taking short breaks to recharge at the beach in Destin when visiting my grandparents. I'm interested in studying Business and currently hold a 3.09 GPA. I am looking for a competitive program with a strong team culture where faith, respect, and work ethic are valued. I want to be part of a team that supports one another, competes with confidence, and represents the school well on and off the field. I am excited about the opportunity to continue developing as a player while contributing to a program that values accountability, coachability, and growth.