Ella Sutphin (#08) was inspired to start playing softball by her cousin, who played at the college level and taught her the fundamentals of hitting and catching. From the moment she picked up a bat, Ella knew she wanted to keep improving and competing. Her softball journey began with T-ball, then school recreational leagues, and eventually advanced to travel ball as her love for the game grew.Throughout her journey, Ella has faced challenges—like her first team falling apart and balancing multiple sports such as soccer and basketball—but her determination and passion have never wavered. One of her greatest strengths is communication on the field. She believes that strong teamwork and a positive attitude are key to success, and she’s always the first to lift her teammates up and keep the energy high.Ella’s primary position is center field, but she also loves playing second base or shortstop. One of her proudest moments was hitting her first home run at Firestone Stadium, a memory that continues to motivate her every time she steps up to the plate. She looks up to her parents as her biggest role models and draws inspiration from Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality,” a mindset she applies to both sports and life.This season, Ella’s goal is to earn a starting spot at second or shortstop while continuing to grow as a player and teammate. Looking ahead, she hopes to play high school softball and eventually take her game to the college level—surrounded by teammates who push her to be her best and share her love for the game.