What a day today has been for Lyla Morici, the outstanding pitcher from Marietta, Ga.!

This morning, the talented high school junior had a photo shoot on her official visit at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, gave her official verbal commit to the Tide staff and then had to jump into her car for the three hour and 15-minute drive back home.

Why the rush?

Because the very new SEC commit has a prep game tonight as her 17-2 Kell High Longhorns trave to an away game at Westminster High starting at 7:30 pm tonight.

That’s being committed to the cause, but Lyla learned early on by watching her siblings that you have to live up to your responsibilities when playing a team sport.

Lyla comes from a family of athletes: her older brother Lucas is a 6-foot-5 right-handed senior pitcher at the Univ. of Georgia and her older sister, Julia, is a freshman utility player at Georgia Tech.

Now the third of the family to head to a P4 college, the current junior has advanced her game to today being one of the elite pitchers in the 2027 class.

“When Lyla first came to us,” remembers her Mojo travel ball head coach Ramsey Harkness, “she was just a hard thrower, but—throughout the year—she faced many of the top teams in the country and that helped her improve and become a great pitcher.”

“Lyla was able to maintain her composure through the ups and downs she faced and despite the added stress of this year in what was her most important recruiting summer.”

What makes the Peach State product one of the best pitchers in the country (she was ranked No. 14 in the recently released 2027 HOT 100 Rankings)?

“Lyla has a wicked drop ball in the high 60-s in-game with the ability to mix in a fluttering change,” Coach Ramsey adds. “And she’s able to move around the zone with a rise and a curve.”

Here’s more on Lyla, who describes how her amazing day of important softball developments has gone so far…

*****

• Player Name: LYLA MORICI
• Grad Year: 2027
• Position(s): P
• Club Team: Mojo – Ramsey/Fisher
• High School (with City/ST): Kell (Marietta, Ga.) High
• Current Stats (High School): 14-1 record this fall with a .480 batting average and eight home runs.
• Top Honors: ranked No. 14 in the 2027 Line Drive HOT 100; two-time All-Region selection, Cobb County Player of the Year.
• Committed To: Alabama

When did you officially commit?
I officially committed this morning and did it in person. I told them after my photo shoot!! I got my offer yesterday and took the night to sleep on it. I then told the Alabama coaches this morning I’d like to commit to their school and that I was super excited to play for them!

What factors were key in your choice?
I wanted to play with a team that feels like a family and one with a good history. When I got there, on campus, I just had a feeling in my gut that this is where I wanted to be.

Did you do anything to celebrate the big decision?
I have a game tonight, so that is how I will celebrate!

Did you take other official visits?
Yes, I took my first official visit at Clemson on September 6, my next at Georgia Tech on September 13 and my next at Oklahoma State on September 20.

What did the Tide coaches say they like about your game enough to offer you?
They complimented me on how I wasn’t afraid of the challenge to play 18U as someone who can still play 16s.

Have they (college coaches) said how they see using you once you on campus?
The coaches said I wouldn’t be there if they didn’t think I could come in and immediately make an impact, whether that’s with a great attitude or getting innings when I get there.

You have impressive hitting numbers as well to go with your pitching success. Have the coaches said if you’ll be a pitcher only or also get to hit?
They have mentioned me being able to do both.

What, in your opinion, are some of your biggest softball accomplishments?
Some of my biggest accomplishments are being Region Pitcher and Player of the Year my freshman and sophomore years as well as being Cobb County Player of the Year as a freshman.

Also, just breaking the all-time wins (53) and strikeout records (498) at my high school.

You’ve had such great success already and today must feel amazing, committing to an SEC school! With all you’ve accomplished so far, what would you say you are most proud of in your softball career?
I am most proud of my ability to be a great teammate and no matter what I am always supportive of my team.

Final question: any idea what you’d like to study once you get on campus at Alabama?
I want to study Sports Broadcasting and Media.