We kick off the last full week before Christmas with info on two California pitchers who recently committed, one to the Big 12 and the other to the Big Ten…

*** Lexy Mills, a 2018 right-handed pitcher and lefty hitter with Firecrackers – Redmond who attends Agoura (Calif.) High has committed to Kansas according to her mother, Kimberly Werdesheim.

Mom explains that Lexy’s recruiting process started with an e-mail.

“She emailed Coach Megan Smith who watched Lexy’s recruiting video and liked what she saw. Soon after she came out to watch her at a showcase in So Cal in mid October.”

“A few weeks later, the pitching coach came to watch her play at a showcase in Florida and then a week after that the hitting coach came to watch her at a showcase in Arizona.”

“In mid November, Lexy was invited to attend an elite camp on an unofficial visit to KU. She played for the coaches and then was given a tour of their new facility. Lexy met with the coaches, academic advisors, and checked out the athletic housing and during the visit she received her offer.”

“It all happened pretty quickly!”

“The KU coaching staff and their incredible facility is what sealed the deal for Lexy. The campus gave Lexy a feel of home. She instantly knew that Kansas is where she was meant to be.”

Another reason Lexy chose Kansas is because they said that they wanted a pitcher that could also hit. She loves hitting just as much as pitching so hitting in college is important to her.  She is excited to be given this opportunity.”

Lexy fell in love with the game at an early age. She started playing at the age of four for WAGS (Westlake Agoura Girls Softball) in Southern California.  WAGS is one of the top recreational organizations in the state.”

“At age 12, Lexy went on to travel ball and played for the So Cal Jets and now she plays for Firecrackers-Redmond.”

“She always knew she wanted to be a pitcher. Her incredible work ethic is what sets her apart from the rest. Lexy is also a great hitter. At age 10 her hitting coach decided to turn her around and have her start hitting left handed. We weren’t sure about this, but he was right.”

“Lexy continues to play with the same core group of girls that she played with at the age of 8. They have grown together and continue to motivate each other to get better.  Along with her coaches, her team is like a family to her.  This is the same feeling she got at Kansas.”

“Lexy still has four years of high school softball ahead of her, but for now she is walking on air excited to be a future Jayhawk!”

*** Very happy to report that Kaley Winegarner, a 2015 pitcher with OC Batbusters Haning-Stitch, has committed to Northwestern.

Kaley is one of the pitchers in the country when healthy but has been unfortunate to be hit with two knee injuries that has knocked her out most of the last two years.

The senior at Pacifica High in Garden Grove, Calif suffered her first ACL problem in the middle of 2013 and missed the second half of that year and looked to be coming back well this spring when she started off 3-1 including a no-hitter at the Michelle Carew Classic in Anaheim Hills, Calif.

She had another knee set-back that will reportedly keep her out through next spring and a source close to the team says she will not be playing softball her senior year as she continues with rehab, but reportedly is on the swim team instead to help strengthen her knee and stay in shape.”

Kaley had originally committed to Stanford and is now going to another great academic program in Northwestern.

*** Speaking of Pacifica High, the team which finished No. 5 in our national Full Count Softball FAB 50 high school team rankings, Allison Seng of the Mariners writes to say:

“I verballed to Boise State on November 18. I play for the Corona Angels (Perez) and play second and outfield. I am currently a sophomore, making me a 2017, and a two-year varsity player.”

*** Mackenzie Budinger, who we profiled as a Rising Star in October, has committed to Coastal Carolina.

Mackenzie is a 2016 corner infielder and catcher with the Arizona Hotshots Gold – Davis team who was very impressive at the Showcase at Big League Dreams in early October.

Her mom, Pam, tells us:

“Mackenzie was first noticed by Coastal Carolina at the Pennsbury Tournament last June.  They followed her most of the summer especially at the Colorado Fireworks where she was on a hot hitting streak!”

“We were invited on campus by Coach Ferrari in August and visited the campus in October.  Mackenzie loved the coaches, facilities and academic support for athletes was also impressive.  And of course it didn’t hurt it was close to the beach!”

“She visited a few schools and decided this was a great fit for her, we are excited and look forward to a few trips to South Carolina!”

*** Kaiya Epps, a 2016 middle infielder/outfield with Stealth Fastpitch, committed to Bethun-Cookman last Monday, Dec. 8^th according to her father Ronald.

“She liked Bethune-Cookman because they have both of her potential majors,” hs told Full Count Softball. “They liked her because they want athletic-type players.  She is 5-foot-8 and ran home-to-home in 11 (seconds) flat.”

“She goes to a small Catholic School (Paraclete High in Lancaster, Calif.) and she hit .492 this season. They were 2014 Alpha League champs.  Her high school and club teammate Kailla Searcy is also a D1 commit to Central Arkansas.”

Kaiya has a 3.8 GPA and wants to study Nursing.

*** More verbals:

— OF/2B Kelly Ernest (2015, Harding)… plays for Blue Angels Gold
— P Cambria Keefer (2016, Rutgers)… plays for OC Batbusters – Smith
— P Kelsey Munoz (2017, San Diego State)… plays for So Cal A’s – McNee/Myers
— OF Erin Murray (2017, Penn State)… plays for Jersey Intensity
— MIF/OF Katie Polaski (2017, Loyola)… plays for Beverly Bandits
— MIF Kaitlyn Slack (2016, Texas)… plays for Houston Power
— P/UT Jennah Speth (2016, Illinois-Chicago)… plays for Illinois Chill
— MIF/OF Taylor Young (2018, DePaul)… plays for Beverly Bandits