Base Hits & Banter
Welcome to "Base Hits & Banter," the ultimate destination for softball enthusiasts! Join hosts Haylie McCleney, Olympic Silver Medalist and 3x World Champion, alongside Sam Fischer, former LMU softball standout and Team USA representative, as they dive into the world of softball like never before. From in-depth interviews with top players and coaches to insightful discussions on the latest news and trends in the sport, this podcast offers a unique blend of entertainment and education for players, coaches, and fans alike. Stay tuned for weekly episodes packed with valuable insights, engaging banter, and everything you need to know about the exciting world of softball. Subscribe now and join us on this thrilling journey! Powered by USA Softball.
Episodes
50 episodes
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 15
This week, Halo & Samu dive into the thrilling weekend of softball, highlighting Liberty's stunning upset over Texas A&M and discussing the mid-major mentality in postseason play. They analyze surprising regional matchups, the standout ...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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35:00
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 14
This week, Halo & Samu are joined by Emmy award-winning sports reporter Holly Rowe to discuss the current state of women's softball, insights from the recent selection show, and the growth of women's sports. They delve into the dynamics of ...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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43:46
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 13
In Week 13, Samu & Halo discuss the excitement surrounding the SEC tournament, analyze team performances, and reflect on the importance of mental health in softball. They explore pitching strategies, the dynamics of mid-major teams, and mak...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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32:29
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Megan Grant: Mental Focus & Strategy
This week, Halo & Samu interview UCLA softball star Megan Grant. They discuss her impressive athletic achievements, the transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, and her inspirations in sports. Megan shares her experiences as a multi-sport...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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28:25
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 12
In this episode of BH&B, Halo & Samu dive into the latest happenings in college softball, including Oklahoma's impressive performance, the selection of the USA National Team, and the dynamics of coaching and player roles. They discuss t...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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48:07
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Bri Ellis: The Power of Self-Talk
This week, Halo & Samu interview Bri Ellis, a standout player from the University of Arkansas. They discuss her impressive statistics, her mindset shift towards a more relaxed approach to hitting, and the importance of self-talk and mental ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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27:11
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 11
In this episode of Base Hits & Banter, Halo & Samu dive into the latest happenings in college softball, focusing on key matchups, standout performances, and the dynamics of the SEC. They discuss the intense LSU vs Texas series, Florida'...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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30:49
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Taylor Shumaker: Finding The Balance
In this week's episode, Taylor Shoemaker, a standout freshman at the University of Florida, shares her journey in college softball, discussing her transition from high school to the competitive SEC environment. She emphasizes the importance of ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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27:46
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 10
This week, Halo & Samu dive into the exciting world of college softball, discussing the latest games, standout performances, and coaching philosophies. They highlight Texas A&M's unexpected sweep of LSU, the importance of hard work and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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36:15
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Amanda Lorenz: The Power of Passion & Determination
This week on Base Hits & Banter, Amanda Lorenz shares her journey as a professional softball player, reflecting on her experiences from college to Team USA and the new Athletes Unlimited league. She discusses the importance of passion, hard...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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28:01
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 9
In this episode, hosts Sam Fischer and Haylie McCleney dive into the latest happenings in college softball, discussing thrilling matchups, standout performances, and the evolving landscape of the sport. They reflect on the Arkansas vs. Florida ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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30:33
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Karlyn Pickens: Redefining The Game
This week, Karlyn Pickens — who recently broke the record for fastest pitch in NCAA softball history — shares her journey as a standout college softball player, discussing her experiences, challenges, and aspirations. From her intense competiti...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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22:55
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 8
This week, Samu & Halo recap an exciting weekend in college softball, discussing key matchups, standout performances, and the impact of technology on the game. They highlight the Tennessee vs. Oklahoma series, Alabama's resilience, South Ca...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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33:24
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Tracy Morgan: Community Impact in Sports
This week, Sam Fischer and guest host Amanda Lorenz welcome Tracy Morgan, the commissioner of USA Softball of Alabama. They discuss Tracy's extensive journey in softball, her community engagement through various tournaments, and the importance ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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28:31
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 7
In Week 7, Halo & Samu dive into the latest happenings in the world of softball, discussing key matchups, standout performances, and the evolving landscape of women's sports. They analyze Missouri's surprising victory over Oklahoma, Alabama...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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30:44
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Chris Sebren: Inside USA Softball
This week, Halo & Samu welcome back Chris Sebren, the Chief Sport Development and Performance Officer for USA Softball. They discuss Chris's role and responsibilities, the High Performance Program, the growth of softball internationally, th...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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26:30
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 6
In Week 6, Halo & Samu recap the latest happenings in college softball, highlighting standout performances, team dynamics, and emerging programs. They discuss the dominance of Oklahoma, the surprising performance of Texas, and the struggles...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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30:40
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Samu & Halo: The Pressure of Performance
Join host Haylie McCleney and Sam Fischer as they dive into the complexities of mental health in sports, particularly in softball. They discuss the pressures athletes face during the season, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, and...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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22:13
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 5
This week, Halo & Samu discuss the latest happenings in college softball, including weekend game recaps, standout performances, and the impact of conference realignment. They analyze team dynamics, coaching changes, and highlight individual...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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30:32
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Kim Ng: Breaking Barriers
This week, Kim Ng, the first female general manager in Major League Baseball, shares her inspiring journey through the sports industry, her experiences in baseball and softball, and the importance of persistence and teamwork. She discusses the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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35:59
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 4
This week, Halo and Samu dive into an exciting week of college softball, discussing recent matchups, standout performances, and the growth of women's sports. They highlight the thrilling UCLA vs. Arizona game, the impressive start of South Caro...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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33:18
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Kyla Holas: Unlocking Potential
In this week's episode, Halo and Samu interview Kyla Holas, the head coach of the USA Softball Junior Women's National Teams. They discuss her coaching philosophy, the importance of identifying intangibles in young athletes, and the development...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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34:26
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 3
In this week's episode, hosts Sam Fischer & Haylie McCleney discuss the latest happenings in college softball, focusing on standout performances from the Mary Nutter tournament, emerging talents, and the dynamics of top teams like Florida a...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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34:22
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Kinzie Hansen: The Competitive Mindset
In this week's episode, Kinzie Hansen, a four-time national champion and current professional softball player, shares her journey through collegiate athletics, the pressures of competition, and the importance of mental health. The discussion di...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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34:07
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BONUS EPISODE: College Corner – Week 2
In this episode, hosts Halo & Samu dive into the latest happenings in the world of college softball, discussing thrilling games, standout performances, and emerging teams. They analyze the intense matchup between Texas and Texas Tech, highl...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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34:19