Liberty’s Allie Burns Balances Softball, Academics, And A Vision Beyond The Game
Allie Burns Class of 2027 Corner Infielder Liberty High School
Allie Burns is a class of 2027 corner infielder out of Liberty High School in Liberty, South Carolina, located just between Greenville and Clemson. She has been playing the game since she was eight years old, but her vision for the future stretches well beyond the softball field.
Like many kids, Burns first found softball as a young kid that just wanted to try something and have fun. Her dad came home one day with an invitation to sign up for youth softball. At the time, she did not consider herself athletic, but she decided to give it a try anyway. That simple decision turned into something much bigger. The game has given her some of her closest friends and has helped shape her both on and off the field.
“I decided to give it a shot, and it quickly became my comfort zone and gave me my absolute best friends. Softball stands out to me more than any other sport because it combines teamwork, skill, and strategy. The game demands quick reflexes and strong communication, while also being very challenging mentally. It’s a sport where everyone becomes very tight knit, where every play counts, and where everyone gets their chance to shine.”
While Burns understands that no one can play the game forever, she already has clear career goals and aspirations in place. That perspective has never taken away from how much softball still means to her.
“Becoming an anesthesiologist is more than just a career goal for me. It is my biggest aspiration in life. It combines my passion for science with my deep desire to help people in their most vulnerable moments. I am drawn to this path because it allows me to provide comfort and safety during critical times, easing pain and anxiety when patients need it most.”
“Helping people through such intense moments is incredibly meaningful to me. It is not just about the medicine, but also about being a source of calm and someone a patient can trust during a nerve wracking time. That passion comes from a genuine desire to make a real difference in people’s lives, one patient at a time,” Burns said.
That same level of discipline and intention shows up in how Burns prepares herself on the field. We all know that you have to put in the extra work to stay on top of your game and improve.
“Some extra steps I take to prepare myself on the field include an hour long batting lesson every week. I make sure I get as many good, quality swings in as I can. I am also part of a weightlifting class at my school, where I lift every morning doing squats, bench, deadlifts, and overhead press.”
“Building muscle mass helps me produce more power at the plate. I have also joined the basketball team during my offseason to help keep myself in shape and ready for when softball starts back again,” Burns said.
That preparation also carries into her defensive approach at the corner infield spots, particularly at third base.
“Whenever I’m on the hot corner at third, I always try to make sure I’m constantly moving and never caught flat footed,” Burns said. “I start more in the baseline and take three big steps forward as the pitcher is delivering the ball. It helps my reaction time and puts me in a position where I’m already moving forward.”
“If the ball is hit to me, I’m able to charge it and make a quick out. I’ve worked on sharpening my mechanics by almost overcharging the ball during practice, seeing how fast I can cut down the time it takes for the ball to get to me. I work on that same approach even when I’m getting reps at first base.”
As Burns looks ahead to the recruiting process, academics sit at the center of her decision making, right alongside softball.
“Whenever I look into potential schools, I hope to find a place where not only sports are a focus, but also a place where academics are a main focus,” Burns said. “With wanting to have such an important profession in my future, I want to make sure I’m soaking everything up and continuing to learn while also playing softball.”
Burns also draws inspiration from those who have come before her in the game, especially close to home.
“Someone in the game of softball who inspires me is Millie Thompson, a former Clemson University softball player who is currently an assistant coach at Virginia Wesleyan,” Burns said. “She inspires me not only because of how amazing she is, but because of how open she is about the effects sports can have on mental health. I live right outside of Clemson, so having a player I looked up to so close to home was really cool to me.”
Allie Burns continues to build toward what comes next. Whether it is in the classroom, on the field, or in her future career, she brings the same focus and intent to every step, making her a student athlete worth following as her journey continues.
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