Laredo, Texas – Laredo PONY is proud to announce its 2018 Keynote Speaker, World Baseball and Softball Confederation Gold Medalist and Team USA Member Haylie McCleney. She will address the 2018 PONY Fast Pitch Girls World Series attendees at the opening day ceremony. Her introduction will be held at a press conference Tuesday, July 10, 2018, at 10:00 AM at The Outlet Shoppes of Laredo. The conference will be held in the second level Food Hall.

Ms. McCleney has an impressive record as a collegiate and professional athlete. World Championship Experience includes:

  • 2016 WBSC Women’s World Championship Gold Medalist
  • 2014 WBSC Women’s World Championship Silver Medalist;
  • 2013 WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship Silver Medalist
  • 2017 Pan American Championship Gold Medalist
  • 2017 World Cup of Softball Silver Medalist
  • 2016 World Cup of Softball Silver Medalist
  • 2015 Pan American Games Silver Medalist
  • 2015 World Cup of Softball Gold Medalist
  • 2014 World Cup of Softball Gold Medalist

Haylie McCleney played her college softball at the University of Alabama where her accomplishments include:

  • 2016: NFCA First Team All-American…Top 10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year…All-
    SEC Defensive Team…First Team All-SEC… CoSIDA First Team Academic All American…Senior CLASS Award winner
  • 2015: NFCA First Team All-American…First Team All-SEC… All-SEC Defensive Team…Top 26 Finalist for
    USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year…SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year…CoSIDA First Team
    Academic All-American
  • 2014: NFCA First Team All-American…Top 10 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year…All-
    SEC Defensive Team…First Team All-SEC… CoSIDA First Team Academic All- American…
  • 2013: NFCA Second Team All-American… All-SEC Second Team…All-SEC Defensive Team…SEC All-
    Freshman Team…Top 25 Finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year

Last year, Laredo PONY’s opening day ceremony was highlighted by the appearance of four-time Olympian, Lisa Fernandez. Her rousing speech to over 1,500 young athletes and over 3,000 others in attendance was a source of great pride for the organization. “This year’s keynote speaker will be equally as impressive as Ms. Fernandez,” said Richard Rosas, President of Laredo PONY.

Laredo will be hosting two World Series events this year. PONY Girls Fast Pitch World Series makes its return to Laredo after a very successful 2017 tournament in the Gateway City. Additionally, for the first time, the PONY Palomino League Baseball World Series comes to Texas. Laredo will be the first city in Texas to host the 18-year-old and under baseball classic after a very long run in Santa Clara, California.

A full media kit and press release will follow this advisory and will also be available at the press conference.

For more information, please contact Laredo PONY President Richard Rosas at 956- 763-1601 or Gene Belmares with Liquid Studio Group at 956-2854.