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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Team USA Nod Provides Confidence Boost for Becker
1/17/2018 | Softball
By Brian Scott Rippee, OleMissSports.com
OXFORD, Miss. - Kylan Becker wasn't far from her hometown of Miami when she stepped onto the field at the USA Softball Women's National Team Selection Trial in Clearwater, Florida earlier this month, but when she stepped into the batter's box against one of the greatest pitchers in the history of softball she likely had to feel a long way from where she began playing the sport.
"It was a lot of fun," Becker said. "It was literally 60 of the best softball players in the country. My first at bat was against Monica Abbot, who is a legend. That was probably the toughest thing."
She certainly wasn't out of place, though. Becker parlayed her invite to join 60 of the best players on earth to a roster spot on Team USA for the Japan All-Star Series this summer, a seismic accomplishment as well as a dream come true.
"It was a relief and then pure excitement," Becker said. "Now I get to go to Japan and all of these other countries. It's really exciting.
Her coach wasn't surprised by the news, given the fact he's watched her become an integral piece to an Ole Miss Softball program that's on a meteoric rise to prominence.
"I'm just excited for her and excited for the university," Mike Smith said. "She's a great ambassador for the game of softball and a great ambassador for Ole Miss. It could not have happened to a better person. The world is about to get to know who Kylan Becker is."
The week-long showcase featured the best players in the world playing softball at its highest level. Becker wasn't intimidated or afraid, but certainly appreciative of the quality.
"Every single person there is an all-star. There were no errors, no mess ups on the field or anything like that," Becker said.
Becker didn't necessarily need a confidence boost going into a season in which the Rebels are trying to build on their first super regional appearance in program history, but this certainly won't hurt.
"You see these people on TV and are like wow they are really good," Becker said. "Maybe I'm not that good, but then you get there and realize you can hang with them. It was definitely a huge confidence booster."
It also lifts the program. Just ask Smith, the man who has built Ole Miss Softball from the ground up.
"It's huge because the top kids in the country want to come play for an SEC school with a chance to play with USA across their chest," Smith said. "Now that we can add that to our resume as a coaching staff and a program, it just sells Team USA and makes it better."
Becker will play her junior season for the Rebels this spring, but her softball season won't end in June as she will join Team USA and compete on the world stage.
"I was like a proud Papa," Smith said. "I said when she came in here as a freshman that this kid was going to be an All-American when she left and would have a shot at playing for our country if she got an invite."
For all Ole Miss softball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissSoftball, on Facebook at Ole Miss Softball and on Instagram at Instagram.com/olemisssoftball. Fans can also follow head coach Mike Smith on Twitter at @msmithsb16. Additionally, fans can get a behind the scenes look at Ole Miss softball and all of Ole Miss athletics on Snapchat under the handle, @WeAreOleMiss.
