ALL-STAR SPORTS WEEK: Prattville's Robles joins 'Who's Who' of talent in softball game

Prattville’s Kaylee Robles will play in the Alabama All-Star Sports Week softball game scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at Lagoon Park. (File Photo)

By TIM GAYLE

PRATTVILLE -- Kaylee Robles laughs when asked if she has any personal goals for the upcoming Alabama All-Stars Sports Week softball game at Lagoon Park. 

“Hopefully, I’ll do well and not embarrass myself,” she said. “That’s one goal.” 

The game is a Who’s Who of statewide talent. Much of it, as usual, is on the North roster, including Hartselle pitcher Emilie Godfrey, an Auburn commitment; Huntsville shortstop Mari Hubbard, an Alabama commitment; Brooks pitcher Abigail Herndon, an Ole Miss commitment; Bob Jones catcher Natalia Kenyatta, a Michigan State commitment; and Athens infielder Morgan Stiles, an Oklahoma State commitment. 

The South roster, while equally talented, hasn’t been in the spotlight as much. There’s Slocomb catcher Gracie Ward, a South Alabama commitment; Wetumpka pitcher Mya Holt, a Troy commitment; and Wetumpka outfielder Ella Watson, a West Alabama commitment. Then there’s Robles, who is committed to play at Division II Anderson University in South Carolina and was one of the offensive highlights for Prattville High, a team that was two and out at the state tournament in 2022 and reached the regionals in 2023.

“First and foremost, it’s a big thing for her,” Prattville coach Brian Pittman said. “I think she earned it and deserved it. For our program, it establishes that we’re relevant, we’re a team to be reckoned with and it shows the type of talent we have. We had Kylie Jarman after my first year here and now Kaylee. I expect a good opportunity to have one next year as well.”

Jarman’s experience in the 2022 all-star game set an example for Robles, who made the 2023 all-star game one of her goals this season. 

“Last year, our graduating senior, Kylie Jarman, was picked for the North-South game and I thought it would be a pretty cool experience,” Robles said. “She said it was a lot of fun and it’s always been a goal of mine to get there, so I was real happy about that.

“It’s a cool experience, for sure. A big crowd.”

While Robles has always lined up at shortstop for the Lions, she can play the outfield and catcher as well and bat just about anywhere in the lineup, from a base-stealing threat at leadoff, to a player who can bunt or a player who can bat cleanup and hit for power. She batted .308 this past season, ranking second in doubles (12) and home runs (4) and third in RBIs (24).

“For the all-star game, they’re looking for the best players with the numbers and the high-profile kids that are committed,” Pittman said. “But, also, you want some that can play multiple positions because of the rules. They look for versatility the same way colleges do. Going into college, she’ll be looking at second or short. But she could even be in the outfield if her bat plays.”

Robles is looking forward to the Wednesday doubleheader at Lagoon Park Field 6 and the opportunity to gauge herself on an all-star stage with the state’s best players in the sport.

“I’ve heard of a couple of them and one of them (Watson) is my travel ball teammate from Wetumpka,” she said. “I think we’ll all get along fine. We’re all there to have fun, playing the same sport, just happy to be there. I think it’s a good bonding experience for new friendships.”

27TH ALABAMA ALL-STARS SPORTS WEEK

MONDAY

Girls golf – 10 a.m., Arrowhead Country Club

Boys golf -- 10 a.m., Arrowhead Country Club

Baseball – 4 p.m., Riverwalk Stadium 

TUESDAY

Girls cross country – 8 a.m., Gateway Park

Boys cross country – 8:30 a.m., Gateway Park

Girls tennis – 5 p.m., Lagoon Park Tennis Complex

Boys tennis -- 5 p.m., Lagoon Park Tennis Complex

Girls basketball – 5 p.m, Multiplex at Cramton Bowl

Boys basketball – 6:45 p.m., Multiplex at Cramton Bowl

WEDNESDAY

Softball – 4 p.m., Lagoon Park Softball Complex

Girls soccer – 5 p.m., Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex

Boys soccer – 7 p.m., Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex

THURSDAY

Volleyball – 2 p.m., Multiplex at Cramton Bowl