November 22, 2024
Umatilla High Softball Player Mittie O’Brien Signs Commitment to Lake-Sumter State College
By Kyle Coppola
Umatilla High Softball Player Mittie O’Brien Signs Commitment to Lake-Sumter State College
UMATILLA, Fla. — Umatilla High School senior Mittie O’Brien has officially signed her commitment to play softball at Lake-Sumter State College, continuing her academic and athletic journey with the Lakehawks.
O’Brien, a standout on and off the field, boasts a massive 5.2 GPA, a testament to her academic excellence. Known for her tenacity and skill as a player, she has been a key contributor to the Lady Bulldogs’ softball program throughout her high school career.
(Mittie signs her commitment to play for the Lake-Sumter State College Lakehawks for the 2026 season.)
“I am beyond blessed to announce my commitment to Lake-Sumter State College to play college softball,” O’Brien shared in a heartfelt statement. “I would like to thank every coach who has helped me get to where I am! Thank you, Coach Paul, Coach Alex, Coach Sean, Coach Kevin, and Coach Charles, for helping me grow throughout my recruitment process! Thank you, Coach Jet, Coach Josh, Coach Jimmy, and Coach T, for helping me get through some of my toughest times in my sport! And thank you to Coach Miller for giving me this special opportunity to play softball at the next level.”
O’Brien also expressed deep gratitude to her parents, family, and faith, crediting her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for guiding her through challenges.
“Without Him, we’d be nothing but dust,” she said.
Lake-Sumter State College head coach Jay Miller says “Mittie was a kid who I didn’t know, but as soon as she walked on the field at our camp, it was clear we had to make it happen! Her bat is great, she’s got potential as a top tier pitcher, but her personality is second to none! I cannot wait to see the impact she has for us!” says head coach Jay Miller.
(O’Brien was one of the best batters in Lake County in 2024. She will look to continue that during her senior year in 2025.)
O’Brien is coming off an outstanding junior year this past spring. Mittie batted a team high .403 average and had a team high 29 hits. She had 12 RBIs and scored 20 runs. She was also second on the team in steals with 8 last season. One of the things Mittie does not do is strikeout often. Last year in 79 plate apperances she only struckout 7 times. That was among the lowest on the team. She also had the second highest on base percentage with a .456. Only Brooke Moss had a larger OBP.
(O’Brien surrounded by her teammates and fellow student-athletes.)
O’Brien’s impact at Umatilla High extends far beyond the diamond, as she balances her athletic commitments with a rigorous academic schedule and serves as an inspiring role model. She’s one of the top students in her class academically and that says a lot about her character. Mittie is a three sport athlete and also plays Volleyball where she wrapped up a terrific career earlier this year. Now she’s playing basketball before going right into softball season. This young girl is busy but manages to balance it all well including her studies!
With her commitment signed, O’Brien is eager to make her mark at Lake-Sumter State College.
“Go Lakehawks!” she added enthusiastically.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
