We’re in full swing club ball mode and that means there’s a lot of recruiting news going on. Here’s some of the bits and pieces we’ve picked up over the last week…

 

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*** Madi Cranford, a 2017 catcher/shortstop from Escondido, Calif., has committed to Loyola Marymount and when I asked the 4.0 student how she came to be a Lion, here’s what she wrote:

“I gave my verbal commitment on June 6, 2014. My decision to commit to LMU was based on many factors.”

The primary one was LMU’s impressive academic reputation and I like that the class size average is 20 students. In addition their softball program has a great reputation, and Coach Gary Ferrin is considered one of the most respected softball coaches in the country. “

When I met him I was really impressed with his commitment to the players academic success, and determination to field a WCWS quality team.”

“Lastly, the LMU campus is beautiful and located in a very vibrant area. All of the LMU alumni that I have spoken to rave about their college experience and wish they had an opportunity to do it all over again.”

“I have been playing competitive travel ball since I was 10 years old, and can honestly say that I have a blast playing the game. I’m a very competitive person and definitely come from a softball family. My older sister (Miranda) was a D1 softball pitcher (George Mason) and my Dad has been coaching for 20 years.”

“My travel softball team is Phil Bruders’s Cal Raiders and I play catcher. In addition, I also run cross country and play basketball.”

 

*** Last week Coach T.J. Goelz of the Tampa Mustangs-TJ program wrote to tell us about his 2016 outfielder Kyra Klarkowski who has committed to Central Florida.

I asked T.J. what makes Kyra a college level player… here’s what he had to say:

“Kyra has some of the best overall skills for an outfielder that I have seen.  She has above average speed, above average arm strength, above average accuracy when throwing and is a very savvy player.”

“Offensively she can hit for power, however, she is also a strong gap-to-gap hitter with very good speed on the bases. Her quick twitch muscles and overall body control stand out above others as soon as she steps on the field.

“Kyra is an outstanding basketball player as well who decided to pursue her love of softball full time and has committed to play for UCF.   She should make an immediate impact in Orlando on and off the field.”

 

*** Got a note from a reader who wishes to remain anonymous about a Big 10 commit who looks dominating on video:

“I am writing to let you know that Madison Douglass, a 2016 corner infielder with the Indy Dreams 98, has verballed to Purdue.  She has been having a great season so far and has hit at least five home runs in each of the past three weekends giving her at least 15.”

“The numbers don’t lie and she has everyone buzzing in Indiana right now.  She does have a video out there showing off her skills.  At 6-foot and about 210 pounds, she can move.  Madison is a pure athlete and Purdue got themselves a gem.

Madison had a huge high school year for Clinton Prairie (Ind.) too, batting .559 with 14 home runs in 33 hits to earn Small School Player of the Year honors. She also reached base on 71 percent of her at-bats.

She also picked up 27 walks and could steal a base too, picking off 11 bases.

The Hoosier State standout committed to Purdue about two weeks ago.

Click here to see the power hitter in action!

 

*** Thanks to Coach Doug Patterson of the Lil Saints Gold (Ariz.) who wrote to tell us he has a half dozen more commits to add to the verbal list:

— 3B/OF Jessica Hallett (2014, Florida International)
— SS/2B Jasmine Ramirez (2014, Valparaiso)
— OF Willow Seward (2014, Embry-Riddle)
— C Chelsea Havill (2014, Embry-Riddle)
— 2B/OF Bailey Gaffin (2015, Dixie State)
— 1B Kori Gahn (2016, Dixie State)

 

*** I have a new favorite player… read her note and you’ll see why:

“My name is Haley Donaldson. I am a 2016 MIF that plays for Triple Crown Stars Gold- Dave King/Stephanie Klaviter and in April 2014, I verballed to play at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln.

I am a fan of Student Sports Softball webpage.

Thank you,

Haley Donaldson”

Obviously, she has great taste and is very smart too!

 

*** Meghan Wimmer, a 2015 pitcher/infielder with the Chaos Gold (Pa.) has committed to Brown University.

Here’s a video clip of her pitching

About the :45 second mark you see some impressive pitches in game action…

 

*** More verbals: commits over the last 10 days:

— OF Shania Burrell (2017, Boise State)… plays for Corona Angels
— 2B/UT Emma Erwin (2015, South Carolina – Beaufort)… plays for East Cobb Bullets – Council
— UT Christen Florence (2017, Mercer)… plays for Atlanta Vipers-Vallery*
— SS/OF Raven Gray (2014, North Carolina A&T)… plays for Team NC Elite
— SS/OF Khayla Green (2015, Lipscomb)… plays for Georgia Force-Pealor*
— 3B Carly Holder (2015, Texas State)… plays for Texas Bombers HTX
— 1B Kaitlan Horvath (2014, UC Riverside)… plays for California Cruisers – Sievers
— P Meghan King (2014, Florida State)… plays for Gold Coast Hurricanes
— OF Kyra Klarkowski (2016, Central Florida)… plays for Tampa Mustangs – TJ
— 2B/SS Adie Lorsung (2015, Indiana State)… plays for Indiana Magic Gold
— OF Halle Marion (2015, St. Francis)… plays for PA Krunch Gold*
— P Mariah Mazon (2017, Oregon State)… plays for Corona Angels
— SS Elyssa Melton (2015, Georgia Gwinnett College)… plays for East Cobb Bullets – Council
— 3B Kaylee Misiti (2017, Central Florida)… plays for Tampa Mustangs-TJ*
— P Kim Nelson (2014, St. Martin’s)… plays for CA Kryptonite
— 1B Josie Nunn (2015, Georgia Gwinnett College)… plays for East Cobb Bullets – Council
— OF Caeley Nix (2015, College of Central Florida)… plays for Wagner’s – Van Atta
— P/1B Erica O’Kane (2015, Tennessee State)… plays for Tennessee Ballhawks*
— OF Tiffani Railey (2015, Alabama Birmingham)… plays for West Florida Elite*
— P/UT Kassidy Scott (2016, Texas Tech)… plays for Oklahoma Athletics – Madden
— 1B/OF Hayley Sims (2015, Jacksonville State)… plays for Georgia Knockouts Gold
— C/1B Abby Tissier (2017, Auburn)… plays for Birmingham Thunderbolts
— SS Kennedy Ward (2016, Auburn)… plays for Birmingham Thunderbolts*
— P Morgan White (2016, Florida Gulf Coast)… plays for Wagner’s – Van Atta

* = recently reported