Kehren Earns MVP Honors at Prestigious Showcase
Buford High School softball player Ansley Kehren has recently returned home from California with some rather nice hardware to add to her trophy case.
The junior softball standout for the Lady Wolves was recognized as the MVP of the MLB Breakthrough Series that was recently held in Compton, California, July 28-30.
The showcase was an invitation-only event for just 32 girls softball players from across the country.
Kehren was one of two Georgia high school softball players among the 32 total players nationwide at the event, which was hosted by Major League Baseball and USA Softball, and held at the MLB Compton Youth Academy in Southern California.
Kehren, who was already participating against the best competition in the country, earned the event’s MVP honors with her performance as a member of USA Softball coach Jennie Finch’s MLB Breakthrough Series team.
Stat Line: A Historic Performance in Compton
In three games, Kehren had 10 plate appearances and was credited with eight at-bats. She had five hits, scored three runs, walked twice, and had four stolen bases.
She ended up with a .875 slugging percentage, a .700 on-base percentage, and her .625 batting average was highest on the team.
From Baseball Standout to Softball Star
Not bad for someone who has played baseball her entire life.
That’s right. Kehren has played fast pitch baseball since she was five years old, as the only female member of the local travel baseball team, the Dingers Athletics. She played on that all-boys team until she reached the 15U team.
Then, just before her freshman year of high school, Kehren was selected to play in the Pony League World Series in the Philippines with an 18U Women’s baseball team representing the USA through Baseball organization.
She also was named MVP for that tournament as well.
Following her success in baseball, Kehren decided to switch to softball. She joined the Buford softball team as a sophomore. She plays third base and outfield and will return to play for the Wolves for her two remaining years of high school.
Family Ties and What’s Next for Kehren
Ansley’s parents are Eddie and Erin Kehren, and she has two older brothers, Evan and Ashton Kehren, who played baseball for Buford and went on to play college baseball.
Eddie Kehren said it’s likely his daughter will play college softball, but will know more once college recruiters are allowed to officially talk to her on or after Sept. 1.
