East County Athlete of the Week: Addyson Bruneman

Addyson Bruneman is a senior on the Lakewood Ranch High softball team. Bruneman, who is switching from shortstop to catcher for the 2023 season, hit .400 with 11 extra-base hits and 14 RBIs in 2022, including three RBIs in the team's 8-2 state championship win over Lake Brantley High. The Mustangs' 2023 season begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at home against Palmetto High. 

When did you start playing softball?

I actually played baseball before softball. I played that through machine pitch. Once I had to start playing against real pitching (at 9 years old), my family suggested I try softball. I tried it and instantly loved it. I stopped doing anything else because I wanted to always focus on softball. 

What is the appeal to you?

All the people in softball are amazing. I have created the best friends. It's also competitive but in a different way than other sports. You're competing with yourself a lot of the time, not just other people. 

What is your best skill?

I have a good internal clock, like a game clock. I know when I should position myself in certain places and I can read the field and see what's going on, who is lined up where, etc. 

What have you been working to improve?

I am trying to generate more power. Not that I didn't have some power before, but I want to get more from my legs so I get more power on lower pitches. I think that has gotten better this offseason. 

What is your favorite memory?

I have to go with winning our second state title last year. We had everyone trying to beat us because we had already won once and we still won. 

What has to happen for Lakewood Ranch to win a third title?

We need to put in work throughout the season. I think other teams work hard at the beginning and then get tired. We need to keep pushing ourselves. 

What is your favorite food?

I like a sirloin steak cooked medium. 

What is your favorite TV show?

Lately, I have been getting into "Breaking Bad."

What is your favorite school subject?

I like math and science. I'm just better at those than things like English. 

What are your hobbies?

I have been playing pickleball lately. I'll play on the weekends with some of the girls on the team.

Which superpower would you pick?

Invisibility. You could sneak around and see what people are doing and no one would know. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Be excited to succeed, not afraid to fail. In softball, when you make a mistake, you are usually going to make another mistake if you think, 'Oh no, I'm scared.' But if you think, 'I'm going to make this diving play' or 'I'm going to get the final out,' you will be confident and ready to go. 

Finish this sentence: "Addyson Bruneman is … "

Competitive, to a point. But I can also be goofy and mess around.