Junction City High School sophomore Gracie Erichsen will compete with the best softball home run hitters under the age of 16 in the nation in Los Angeles this weekend. After winning home run hitting competitions in Wamego and Kansas City she has qualified for a trip to the National Junior Home Run Derby during MLB Weekend at Dodger Stadium.
During the competition in Wamego she hit 12 home runs and hit another eight during the regionals in Kansas City. "I'm just excited to compete and there's going to be some of the best home run hitters in the nation, especially close to my age so that will be really cool to see."
Erichsen confirmed the competition will be on the 16th.
Erichsen, remembers her softball playing career began in T-ball in Chapman and then moved up to other leagues. In Los Angeles she stated she will compete to win but wants to get a good experience out of the event. "
Academically Erichsen is a gifted student and is in honors classes at JCHS. She also competes in volleyball and basketball at JCHS and in volleyball for a club team based in Manhattan. She is the daughter of Luke and Joanna Erichsen.