Don’t forget to get online Sunday to watch three games at the So Cal Athletics Invitational which will include many of the top club teams and players in fastpitch at this level.

Click here to see the three games streamed live Sunday at 1:15 pm, 3 pm and 4:45 pm (all times PST)

Below is the list of the team’s attending who could make one of these games – it will be determined after the first round of the single elimination games – and a player on each squad I’m excited to see in person again.

 

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Beverly Bandits
Player to watch: P Taran Alvelo… the junior one of the top pitchers in the country and the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. Headed to Washington, the question is how dominant will she be this summer.

 

Corona Angels
Player to watch: IF Shay Knighten… the junior is a force on offense and defense and one of my favorite players to watch. An Oklahoma commit, she will be fun to watch as a leader now on one of the most talented teams in the nation.

 

East Cobb Bullets
Player to watch: P Kelly Barnhill… the junior is our top rated pitcher in the 2015 class and she’s uncommitted (is it still Florida or Stanford?). Will be interesting to get the latest info and see how her pitching is compared to last summer.

                  

Explosion
Player to watch: C Paige Halstead… the UCLA commit is a tall catcher/shortstop combo with pop in her bat. I’m curious to see how she looks now after a year of training; the ceiling is very high for her.

 

Firecrackers
Player to watch: SS Taylor Van Zee… one of three senior Firecrackers in our Hot 100 player rankings, she’s going to Washington and I’m eager to see how she looks after impressing last summer. She was smooth in the field then, how much better can she get?

 

Gold Coast Hurricanes
Player to watch: P Meghan King… the Florida State Player of the Year was dominant for St. Thomas Aquinas High and she pitched them to a repeat 7A state title. I want to see how she looks back on the club circuit.

          

NJ Intensity
Player to watch: P Ally Frei… the senior had a huge year in NJ in the circle, I’m looking forward to seeing how the Boston College signee has elevated her game as I’m hearing she’s at another level now.

 

OC Batbusters
Player to watch: OF Amanda Lorenz… the Florida commit is our top rated junior and on a team of superstars, it will be interesting to see how good she can be. She has one of the best swings at her age level, I’m curious to see her now on one of the top club teams in the country.

                        

So Cal Athletics
Player to watch: OF Brooke Vines… she can do it all on the field and can take over a game. She’s switched her college commit to Tennessee and will be interesting to see how she takes over as a leader on the A’s now.

 

So Cal Choppers          
Player to watch: IF/OF Lauren Lindval… This senior who can play short, third or centerfield equally well, is an Oregon signee and comes from a line of sisters (Devon at UCLA, Janelle at Oregon) who’ve played in the Pac-12.  Lauren is a team leader and as she goes so goes the Choppers so it’ll be fun to see how she progresses this summer.

                                

Texas Glory
Player to watch: IF Madison Montgomery… she was a 4A All-State player and District Player of the Year and a top 50 2015 player in our Hot 100. She’s verballed to Oklahoma State and will be a leader to watch for a team always well coached.

                            

Texas Impact Gold
Player to watch: OF Mari Cranek… a junior outfielder headed to Alabama, she’s one player I’ve heard a lot of positive things but I haven’t seen her much in person… hoping to get a better read this weekend.

 

Texas Sudden Impact
Player to watch: P Abby Langkamp… the Baylor-bound junior is a lefty who also plays first. I’m looking forward to seeing how she deals with the talent this weekend as she’s a Hot 100 player with a high ceiling.

 

Wichita Mustangs      
Player to watch: P/UT Jesi Haffner… I’ve seen a lot of the Mustangs in the last year, but not as much of Jesi, who along with Brittney Finney (Explosion, Oklahoma commit) led her Bishop Carroll (Ks.) team to a state title. Jesi had huge numbers this spring and I’m excited to see her all-around game.