This is Brentt Eads of Line Drive Softball… typically, I don’t interject myself into a player’s write-up, but there’s a reason I’m involved with Benny Powell’s spotlight today (more on that in a minute).

First, let’s look at how impressive this student-athlete truly is:

Athletically

In the most recent HOT 100 rankings for her class (2027), Benny was ranked in the Top 40 overall.

Here’s how her bio read as published last September:

T-39—Benny Powell, C, Team NC (Hinde) 18U
Benny is a 6-foot-tall presence behind the plate and has turned the heads of several P4 programs. She played the most competitive schedule possible this summer in 18U when she could have played down to boost her stats. Head Coach Kevin Hinde believes: “Benny’s ability to frame pitches and throw out runners will make an immediate impact in college.” Even against 18U competition, Benny gave up just a handful of stolen bases while gunning down way more than she allowed. Coach Hinde laughs: “Runners quit running on her!” For Lawton Chiles (Tallahassee, Fla.) High she’s a two-time 1^st Team All-Big Bend selection as she’s started every game behind the plate. Also appealing to college coaches: the 2027 grad has a 4.75 GPA while taking three AP classes as a sophomore.

Yes, she’s a great softball player and will be fun to follow for years to come.

Academically

Benny’s going to attend one of the most prestigious academic institutions not just in the country, but in the world.

Princeton has been ranked No. 1 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for over a decade and is truly hard to get into: applicants have just a four percent acceptance rate.

It’s in the prestigious Ivy League, which is the same conference as seven other highly-respected academic powerhouses: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. 

Yea, she’ll get a great education, no doubt about it. And did you catch that she has a 4.75 GPA? Outstanding.

Character

This is where I have a personal note about Benny that showed her class off the playing fields.

As I shared with the softball community, my father passed away on December 4^th, 2025.

Several in the softball community reached out to me with sincere sentiments of support and kind condolences… and Benny was one of those.

In an email, she wrote:

Hello Mr. Eads,

I was talking to Coach Kevin the other day and he mentioned your dad passed away a few weeks ago.

I am so sorry to hear about that. I had a brief chance to see you in Clearwater (Bowman) in the Fall doing your thing.

Just know my thoughts are with you.

Hope we cross paths again!

Benny

Impressive compassion showing the maturity and empathy of this young athlete who has a very bright future ahead of her in school, athletics and in life.

Here’s more on Benny’s background including the fun story of how she committed to the Tigers softball staff…

*****

NAME: BENNY POWELL
Position(s): Catcher/Infielder
High School (City/ST): Chiles (Tallahassee, Fla.) High
Club Team: Team NC – Hinde
Grad Year: 2027
Committed To: Princeton
Date Committed: December 18, 2025

What would you say are your top achievements, stats, honors and/or accomplishments over the last year and/or for your career?

1^st Team All-Big Bend freshman and sophomore seasons, Defensive Player of the Year (high school), ranked Top 40 in Line Drive HOT 100.

Do you play other sports?

I love playing flag football. I play quarterback and love reading defenses and throwing bombs!

I played a little volleyball in middle school, but our high school volleyball program is the top program in the state. I would not have been able to give the time needed to continue with volleyball.

What’s been a top 1-2 softball experience in your career?

This Fall, I picked up with Team NC Bowman in Clearwater, Fla. We were in a tight game against a really good Hot Shots team, down 2-1. I got an opportunity in the top of the 7^th with runners on and hit an absolute bomb to take the lead.

There were a ton of coaches there, including Princeton, and we just kept winning the rest of the day.

Another great memory was last summer in California with my Team NC – Hinde girls.

We were in bracket play against Athletics Mercado, and they had a great team. We battled the whole game, and it was intense. I had an RBI single and threw out a runner stealing. I will never forget the bottom of the 7^th inning when they got some runners on base.

There was a line drive hit to our right fielder (one of my best friends and high school teammate Addie Matthews) and she made a diving catch, then popped up and doubled up a runner to end the game.

I’ll never forget running out to right field and celebrating in a group hug with my team.

That was a great day!

How did Princeton first find you to start recruiting you?

I think they first saw me out West… Colorado or California. I’m told they followed me from there, but Princeton kept things quiet for a little while. I think they do a good job of qualifying players before they reach out. Coach Kevin called me and said they were asking about me and if I would be interested. I said of course and started communicating with Assistant Coach Ashley McDonald.

When did they offer you a scholarship? 

They brought me in for a visit in late October. Right at the end of the visit, all the coaches sat me down and left no doubt that I had a home at Princeton.

When and how did you commit? What were the circumstances?

On Dec 18^th, I texted (Head) Coach (Lisa) Van Ackeren if she had some time to speak. I think she paused a family movie they were watching and she called me.

I told her how much I appreciated her patience and that I was very proud of the offers I had on the table. She responded so caringly, but almost like she thought I was going to tell her that I was going somewhere else.

I then said:

“I want to come to Princeton and keep the tradition going with Ivy championships!”

She said:

“SHUT UP!!! OH, MY GOODNESS! I’m going to go running down the street in the snow!!”

We then switched over to FaceTime and my family jumped in and we all had a great talk.

I hope every player gets to have a moment like that where a coach reacts in a way that you absolutely know they wanted you.

What was it about the school/program that made you decide it was the place for you? Did you have an “a ha” moment where it suddenly was obviously the right place for you?

Well, the academics speak for themselves, but I was very impressed with their commitment to athletics.

I so badly want to continue to be the best softball player I can be. Princeton offers that opportunity on a campus where absolute legends walked the halls.

Also, hearing about the tight knit alumni network was great. I plan to make the most of my time there and meet as many people and have as many adventures as I can.

What did they say they liked about your game enough to offer you?

They mentioned my presence on the field when I’m behind the plate and that is something I take a lot of pride in.

I once went to an Oklahoma Super Regional and my dad leaned over and said:

“Watch every move this catcher makes.”

I become locked in on Kenzie Hansen. I loved how she controlled the game. The coaches also like how I can play multiple positions, but my first love is catching.

Who helped you in your softball decision… anyone? Family? Coaches?

My parents, without a doubt.

My recruitment journey probably wasn’t much different than anyone else, but I certainly came across some great programs and great coaches that made an impact on me.

I also dealt with a few that twisted the truth or straight up lied. That was a part of the process that was the most surprising. Players talk; the word gets around.

Do you know yet what you will study in college? What you’d like to do for a career after school/softball is over?

Something in Finance or Mathematics.

What top tournaments/events will you and your team be playing in this year (2026)?

I know Team NC is scheduled for Show Me The Money in Newberry, Atlanta Invitational, Scenic City Top 25, and I think a few Alliance events.

Is there anything unusual or different about you that would be fun to share or mention?

I have taught myself to play some songs on the piano and I can solve a Rubik’s cube. I can also juggle (laughs).

What’s something about you off the field that not many know?

How much I enjoy my zero-turn mower. There is something very calming about riding on the mower and making something look great.

I also remember finally being strong enough to start the weed eater by myself. Working outside is a great workout!

What do you love most about softball?

I love that you can’t fake it.

Success requires so much consistent effort, and you don’t get better overnight. Your abilities and mental toughness are constantly being tested.

Some games you can’t be beaten and some games you can’t catch a break, but if you play long enough and find the right competition your abilities will get recognized or exposed.

In one word, describe yourself on the field: Presence.

And off the field: Outgoing.