Ding Balavender was a strikeout machine during her first high school season and is riding a hot streak into the hot months of the year. Balavender struck out 204 batters during her freshman season at Melbourne, maintaining a 1.04 ERA and also batting .308. She threw a perfect game in the district semifinals to keep the Bulldogs advancing. Balavender will play on a talented Tampa Mustangs team over the summer with three players committed to Tennessee and one headed to Kentucky. In addition to the high-level competition she will face, Balavender’s teammates will make her better during this upcoming season.