Atlantic Coast Fastpitch League (ACFL) is excited to spotlight Emma Lemley as the July player of the month. Lemley is a pitcher with the Williamsburg Starz Gold Bunn.

In July, the 2021 went 4-1 with 57 strikeouts in 32 innings with a 0.22 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Lemley only gave up 1 earned run while pitching against a handful of top teams. The standout pitched in the inaugural Alliance All-Star game for 1 and 2/3 innings striking out 3 and giving up 0 runs and was named to the Alliance All-Tournament Team.

“Emma has amazing natural ability, but it is her work ethic that has separated her from her peers,” said coach Tom Bunn.  “Her dedication, both during the season and in the off-season helped her keep adding velocity every year and is the reason why her rise ball might be the best pitch in the country. She is a smart, genuine, coachable kid that is a terrific teammate and role model. Virginia Tech is adding a very special person and player to their roster.”

Lemley got an early start in softball. “My family is a huge baseball family, so it’s only natural that I started playing softball,” said Lemley. “I started playing when I was about 8 years old. I started as a catcher because I always liked to have the ball in my hand. That lasted about a season, and then I decided I wanted to do something different because I was getting too hot in the summer time catching. I started pitching so that I could still have the ball in my hand, and I could be in control of the game. I’ve been pitching for about 10 years now.”

Her favorite softball memory is the first time she ever pitched in a game. The first inning she went in, she struck out 3 batters in a row. “That’s really what started my love for pitching,” she explained.

From all of us at the Alliance and the ACFL, congratulations to Emma Lemley for her achievements.

What is the Alliance Fastpitch Player Recognition Program?

The Player Recognition Program was built to recognize and spotlight our individual players in each Member League. Each month, registered Alliance Fastpitch coaches can nominate a player from their age division. League Leadership will review nominations and a monthly stats report from AthletesGoLive (AGL) to determine the League’s Player of the Month.

Following the announcement of each League’s Players of the Month, the Alliance Fastpitch will recognize a National Player of the Month.

To be considered for Player of the Month, your team must score League games in AGL so your stats will be included in the League’s monthly report.