When it comes to high school softball, there are few areas of the state that produce as many quality teams as Baldwin County. No matter where you go - Fairhope, Robertsdale, Spanish Fort, or Gulf Shores - these girls can flat-out play.

If I were a college softball coach, I would make sure that I looked closely at teams and players within Baldwin County to fill my roster for the future.

With that thought in mind, why are the major colleges, especially here in the south, not knocking down the door of Gulf Shore’s KK Grocholl?

Already 20 games deep into the season, the Dolphins pitching ace and clean-up hitter is proving that she is fit to play for anybody, anywhere, anytime.

How about this, Grocholl is sporting a .394 career batting average at Gulf Shores. This season alone she is batting .581.

Two weeks ago, playing against the Hoover Bucs, Grocholl stepped up to the plate her first time at bat with the bases loaded, and went “yard” with her very first pitch for a grand slam.

Last week, during a tournament in Daphne, it happened again.

After 20 games, No. 20 has produced 25 hits, 9 doubles, 7 home runs (including the two grand slams), has 23 RBI’s, a .654 on base percentage, and has only struck out 3 times.

Are you kidding me?

There are batters who, every time they step up to the plate, you expect something to happen. Grocholl is one of those hitters. It is obvious that her ability to pick up the ball after a pitcher’s release and drive it wherever she wants it to go is truly a talent. Her bat speed and power is not equaled by anybody else I have seen play this season. It is truly amazing to watch.

Against Robertsdale in February, Grocholl went 2-for-2 with a double, a homer and 3 RBI’s. In the game against Hoover, she was 2-for-2 with a double, a grand slam and 6 RBI’s. Two weeks ago, versus West Florida, Grocholl went 3-for-3 with 2 singles, a home run, and two RBI’s. Last weekend against Brewbaker Tech out of Montgomery, she went 2-for-2 with a double, a homer and 2 RBI’s.

On and on I could go.

So my question is this - where is South Alabama? Auburn? Alabama? UAB?

On the mound, the senior is just as effective. She enjoys an impressive 5.36 ERA, has fanned 29 batters, and rarely gives up the long ball, having had only two batters hit a home run off of her in the 10 games she has pitched.

Grocholl has already committed to play next season at Pensacola Junior College, and there is no doubt that coach Brenda Pena and the Lady Pirates will be more than happy to welcome her to the team.

But something tells me that if Grocholl remains on the pace that she is enjoying so far this season, before it is all over and done with, a big-time school with a need for a clutch hitter is going to come calling.

In the meantime, don’t miss your opportunity to see this young lady play softball.

She’s impressive!

-Hit ‘em straight.