By Jarrod McGlothen
For any elite athlete, returning home offers a welcome chance to catch your breath. For Auburn University first baseman and Union County standout AnnaLea Adams, coming back to Liberty this summer is about paying it forward. Before she steps back onto the diamond for another grueling season in the Southeastern Conference, Adams is bringing her talents back to where it all began. This summer, she is hosting a series of youth softball clinics right at Welborn Field, the exact dirt where she built her own high school legacy. The local star caught up with the Voice to talk about her breakout sophomore season with the Tigers, her historic postseason performance, and what it truly takes for a small town kid to make it to the biggest stage in college softball.
After splitting time as a designated player during her freshman campaign at Auburn, Adams took complete ownership of first base this past season, starting every single game at the position. That steady defensive presence did not happen by accident. Instead, it was forged through a mindset of continuous earning.
“Splitting time during my freshman year allowed me to go into this season with more confidence and allowed me to be more comfortable at first base throughout the season,” Adams said. “This pushed me to come in every day and work harder so that the position remained mine throughout the whole season. Looking forward to next year, I am excited to come back stronger on defense in hopes to keep the position mine.”
When the postseason lights shined brightest, Adams delivered a defining signature performance. In a high-stakes conference tournament matchup against Florida, she exploded for a massive seven RBI game powered by two home runs. For players caught in that kind of legendary rhythm, the experience is often a blur of instinct and adrenaline.
“Honestly, it’s a mix of both in games like that,” Adams said. “I felt really confident in the box and felt that my hitting was clicking that day, but I didn’t know all the numbers until after the game.”
That first blast against the Gators was more than just a momentum shifter, as it also marked her one hundredth career hit. Unlike many athletes who claim ignorance of their statistical milestones, Adams knew exactly what was at stake when she crossed home plate.
“My 100th career hit was a number I knew that I was getting closer to, and it was actually something I was pushing towards as a goal for that season,” Adams explained. “Due to it being a goal, I did know that it was my 100th hit during the game. It was such a cool experience hitting that goal during the SEC Tournament.”
While the home runs grab the headlines, Adams also quietly dominated a crucial, unselfish category on the stat sheet by leading both her team and the entire conference in sacrifice flies. When coming to the plate with runners on base and a tight game hanging in the balance, her approach is masterfully stripped of unnecessary pressure.
“In moments with runners on, I try to keep my mindset very simple,” Adams said. “I tell myself two things: find some grass and hit it deep. If I can get the ball deep in the outfield, whether it is a base hit or fly ball, that gives the runner the opportunity to score. A lot of that mindset starts while I’m on deck so that I can go to the plate with a clear mind.”
Transitioning from the Tri-Eastern Conference to facing elite college pitching every single weekend is one of the steepest learning curves in amateur sports. For Adams, the physical challenge of dealing with elite speed and movement was only half the battle, because the real hurdle was psychological.
“The biggest adjustment when I first got to Auburn was finding a way to be comfortable when it’s hard,” Adams reflected. “These pitchers are the best of the best, and they are throwing towards your weakness each at bat. When it gets hard, I had to find a way to reset so that my mind was clear for the next at bat. On top of that, it’s always an adjustment each weekend to learn how each pitcher throws differently and what their tendencies are.”
Now, Adams is bringing those elite insights back to Liberty. Stepping onto Welborn Field as an established college starter rather than a high school player promises to be an emotional experience.
“It’s definitely going to be a complete full circle moment,” Adams said. “I am super excited to get back on Welborn Field, which is a field that really started it all for me, and give back to such a great community. I’m really looking forward to working with the youth softball players right here in Liberty and show that being from a small town doesn’t matter.”
For the young athletes attending her hitting and fielding sessions, Adams is focusing heavily on the foundational building blocks that support a high-level game.
“One of the biggest things I want to help the athletes coming to these sessions is building a fundamental base,” Adams noted. “With hitting, that means stronger power through the ball and strong legs. For fielding, that’s getting the ball out in front and an athletic stance. I cant wait for clinic day!”
During her time at Union County, Adams was a master of a packed schedule, balancing multiple sports, FFA, and student council. That frantic high school pace turned out to be the perfect dress rehearsal for the exhausting lifestyle of a major college athlete.
“Staying involved while in high school helped me understand what a similar day would be like for a Division 1 student-athlete,” Adams said. “It allowed me to find and create time management skills that have helped me stayed organized and find a balance while at Auburn.”
For the next generation of local kids watching her on television and dreaming of donning a college jersey, Adams is candid about the reality of the grind. The blueprint for making it out of a small town is written in the dark when no one else is watching.
“Behind the scenes is really where all the hard work happens,” Adams said. “Some of those things are taking the extra reps even when everyone else is gone or you are tired. Learn to be ok with missing certain events. A big one is not allowing others to tell you that you can’t do it. Always dream big and work hard, because it will pay off in the end!”
According to the official clinic schedule, all sessions will take place at Welborn Field, located at 499 East Union Street in Liberty. The cost is twenty five dollars per session, and the clinics are structured by age group to ensure targeted instruction.
Younger athletes in the first through fifth grade bracket can attend hitting sessions on June 15 and June 17 from 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM, a fielding session on July 6 from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM, and a final hitting session on July 7 from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM.
Older players in the sixth grade and up bracket will meet on June 15 and June 17 from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM for hitting, July 6 from 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM for fielding, and July 7 from 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM for hitting.
The clinic details show that check in begins fifteen minutes prior to the start of each session, and a parent or guardian must be present at registration. Spots are limited for each clinic, and families can secure a place by emailing the player directly at aga4softball@hotmail.com with the child’s name and the specific sessions they plan to attend. Acceptable forms of payment include Venmo, cash, or check. Every clinic focuses on core fundamentals, specialized drills, and building strong mechanics, and campers will also have the opportunity to win small prizes throughout the day.
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