A lot happening this March Monday as we look at a California standout who wanted to go to where there was snow as well as start our frequent tour around the country looking at standout high school ball performances.  We have some fun recruiting news–from Georgia to California–and look at the World Cup in 2014 and where it will be while the home stadium gets worked on…

 

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PLAYER PROFILE: KORA WADE

Grad Year: 2015
Pos: IF/OF
High School: Temescal Canyon (Lake Elsinore, Calif.)
GPA: 3.2
Club: So Cal A’s – Myers/McNee
Stats: batted .494 during fall and .444 so far in HS season
Honors:  teams have finished in the Top 6 at PGF Nationals last three years                                          
College: Boise State

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: You have great speed, having run 2.6’s at several events/camp… safe to say that’s the most dangerous part of your game?
Kora Wade: Yes, the most dangerous part of my game is definitely my speed. 

 

SSS.com: How have trained to increase your speed and what’s a favorite workout or drill that you think has made you more explosive?
KW: I’d say that my favorite drill to do to increase my speed would be when I have a band around my waist and someone is pulling me back and giving me resistance while I try to run forward

 

SSS.com:  You also play varsity water polo, what does that sport need athletic wise that’s similar and different than softball? (… and hear it’s pretty brutal under the water, true?)
KW: To play water polo you need endurance and a little more strength than you would in softball.  However, playing softball has made my arm for water polo stronger than ever. It is very brutal in the water; some girls are very feisty!  I am very fortunate that my softball strength has helped me be an impact player on my varsity water polo team.

SSS.com:  Tell us how you were first seen by the Boise State coaches, then how the process when until they offered?
KW: They had been watching me for a while and seemed to really want me but they weren’t ready to offer until they saw me up in Boise at one of their camps. I went to visit and go to their camp and I was competing for an offer with another girl.   We played the same positions and both hit lefty. I showed them everything I was about and, luckily, at the end of the camp, they made me an offer.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what were the key factors that led you to pick the Broncos?
KW: I committed about a week after I came home from the unofficial visit.  The coaches suggested I think about it and let it all “sink in.” I knew I wanted to go to a school where the town was a “college town” and the community was focused on the school.  Additionally, I wanted a high-level sports program, which Boise State can provide.  Lastly, being from sunny Southern California, I knew that I was looking to go to school somewhere where I could experience all four seasons.

 

SSS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
KW: I called Coach Thorpe and told her over the phone. 

 

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?
KW: I was excited to finally commit, I had worked so hard for that one goal and I finally got it!

 

SSS.com: Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
KW: No, distance was not a factor in my decision.

 

SSS.com: How about weather… are you excited or a bit nervous to be in the snow? 
KW: I am very excited for the snow, I love the snow!  I started stocking up my warm clothes after I committed!

SSS.com:  What are some areas of your game you’re going to work on improving before you hit the Boise campus?
KW: I am going to be working on my “stand and hit for power” over the next year and a half. I want to be able to be a triple threat!

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
KW: In PGF we were in the semifinals against Firecrackers Javier.  Final inning, two outs, bases loaded and we were down by one run and I was up to bat. I got a full count and hit a shot through first and second to score the winning run!

 

Quick Hitters (short answers)

 

What do you want to study in college?
I have no idea!

Fill in the blank… The best part of softball to me is:_____________
… being part of a team.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
World hunger.

Favorite non-softball activity:
Hanging with friends.

Least favorite chore:
Dirty dishes.

Would you say you’re a very organized, structured person or more of a free spirit, live in the moment type?
Definitely a free spirit.

What’s your dream vacation?
A trip to Rome.

What type of bat do you use (and do you like it)?
Mizuno whiteout.  Yes, but it is losing its pop.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I’m a quiet person.  My parents always pushed humility with us kids.  I prefer to be a “quiet, lead by example” person.

You’re handed a $1,000 bill… what do you do with it.
That’s easy… go shopping!

Pizza toppings: pick your favorite two…
Pepperoni and cheese.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
A ball to entertain me.

What’s your philosophy in life?
You only live once…. and you live in the present, not the future.

 

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HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: DAVE KASZA FUND

*** We profiled last week the passing of Dave Kasza, the father of River Ridge High infielder Kelsey Kasza, who passed away Wednesday night in the first inning of the team’s game.

Click here to access the www.GoMavericks.org page to learn more about the funeral and the family and how to make a donation.

We got a nice note from Kelsey’s club coach, Harry Jonas of the Carolina Curve, who wrote to say:

“Dave Kasza is my friend and will be truly missed, from the text messages to the hours of phone conversations we had. He always spoke highly of the girls and wanted the best for every player on the team. When it was game time he brought an enormous amount of energy and intensity pushing it on the field that seemingly added a tenth player. Definitely our Number1 fan that truly loved to watch the ladies do their thing.”

 

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HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL:  KEY PERFORMERS

Note: if you’d like to send along your favorite athlete’s impressive game or week performances, please e-mail them to: brentt@studentsports.com

*** Busy week for Brynne Fitzpatrick for San Jose (Calif.) Valley Christian High as she pitched two games and one scrimmage.

In one game she lost, Brynne struck out 13 while giving up only one hit and two walks and did it at the plate with a two-run homer. She also had double-digit strikeouts (15) in a win over Evergreen Valley where she allowed only three hits with two walks.

The Cal-bound junior says, “My coach has clocked me from 61 to 65 mph.”

 

*** Hayley Copeland tossed a five-inning no-hitter and struck out 14 as Esperanza High of Anaheim, Calif. opened the Cypress tournament with a 10-0 mercy-shortened over Mira Costa last Monday.

The South Carolina-bound senior walked three batters and also was a perfect 3-for-3 on offense.

 

*** On Friday, Meghan King (2014, Maryland signee) from St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) pitched her second perfect game of the season and catcher Gwen Svekis (2014, Oregon) went 3-for-3 with a 2B and 3 RBI in an 11-0 win over Nova.

The Raiders play Tuesday, then this weekend at the Slamfest in Miami. Harmony will be there, along with American Heritage (Plantation), Palm Beach Gardens and Cypress Bay in the Gray Bracket.

 

*** The two-headed Arizona-bound monster that leads Mission Viejo (Calif.)—pitcher Taylor McQuillin and slugger extraordinaire Alyssa Palomino—both showed their talent in a pair of Saturday wins.

Taylor pitched a complete 10-0 win over Edison, scattering a couple hits while striking out seven.

She also took the circle in the second game and pitched another shutout, a 5-0 win over Chino.  Taylor had an impressive 18 K’s in that game for another complete effort.

The junior also went 3-for-5 for the day at the plate.

As good as McQuillin was in pitching, Palomino was equally unstoppable on offense.  She had three home runs for the day with two coming in the first game.

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** A nice note came in from Jeremy Dixon, the father of sophomore Montana Dixon, the catcher with the So Cal A’s-Richardson team.

“(Montana has) committed to Stanford University.  She is a Co-Team Captain at Lakewood HS and holds a 4.2 GPA in the Merit Scholars program.”

“As a Freshman she helped Lakewood advance to the CIF Southern Section Div. 2 Championship game.  She also helped her travel team (OC Batbusters-McNee  advance to the 2013 PGF National Championship game in 14U.”

“At Lakewood she earned 1st Team All League and Defensive Player Of The Year. She will be joining Haley Cruse at Stanford.  Montana and Haley were 2013 teammates on OC Batbusters-McNee 2013 14U PGF National Championship runner-up.

 

*** Another LOI signed in the Stealth Fastpitch-Adams program as Monique Smith, a 2014 outfielder, is headed to Arizona Western College.

 

*** Thanks to another proud pop Doug McMonigle who wrote to say:

“Wanted to let you know that my daughter Kirsten McMonigle ,who was profiled by your website on Daily Update 12.30.13, has verballed to Georgia State University.  She is a 2016 shortstop.”

Here’s the write-up we did the day before New Year’s Eve day!

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: KIRSTEN MCMONIGLE

Kirsten was listed as one of 10 players who shined at the Halloween weekend National Skills Clinic… here more on the Peach State sophomore standout:

High school: Greenbrier
City: Evans
State:
Ga.
Grad year: 2016
GPA: 3.0
Club: East Cobb Bullets-Legere
Ht: 5-3
Position(s): SS/3B
College: uncommitted
Stats: (high school): .444 average with 35 runs in 108 at bats, 19 RBI, 15/17 steals, .942 fielding ave.; (club): .484 average, 45 runs in 124 at bats, 12 RBI, 19/21 steals, .925 fielding ave.
Honors: two-time All-State (2^nd team), 2013 Georgia Dugout Club “Elite 80;” two-time All-Region and All-County (1^st team); Outstanding Player Award (Holiday Camp, hosted by Tennessee Tech last weekend)

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: What’s your current recruiting situation?
Kirsten McMonigle: “As of right now, Georgia State, Kennesaw State and North Georgia have all called both my travel and high school coaches and have said they are very interested. I further received a recruiting letter from Georgia State “identifying me as a potential student-athlete that they would like to get to know better.” I am planning on trying to get an unofficial visit to these schools as well as Georgia Southern, South Carolina and Alabama.”

SSS.com: What are you looking for in a college?
KM: I would love to play for a college that has a softball program that is competitive and will continue to push me. Even though most of the schools that are recruiting me are in Georgia, I am not limiting myself. I have played against many girls that are currently attending top softball programs— Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina are examples. I’m also looking for a program where both academics and athletics program work together so that I can also get a quality education. Oh yea, I would love the chance to play early in my college career. I do understand at a program such as Alabama that might not happen, but I still would love playing on their dirt as a freshman!

SSS.com: What do you like to do off the field?
KM: Shopping of course! I do enjoy working out… well sometimes! During the summer, I love going out on the boat and doing water sports. I attend Stephens Creek Church with my Family when we are not traveling. I’ve just recently went with our high team to help with a charity called “Under the Bridge Ministry” helping to feed hundreds of homeless here in Augusta, Ga. However, between school, travel ball, lessons, weight training and home chores; there’s not much time for extra curricular activities! (laughs)

SSS.com: What’s been your best experience in softball so far?
KM: So far it was hitting a walk off single in last year’s AAAAA state Elite Eight playoffs to beat the defending state champions, Northgate High, which has several D1 commits on that team. We finished tied for fifth in the state last year although Northgate got us back this year though. We lost to them at their place in the first round of the playoffs 3-1 in the “if” game of best of three.

SSS.com: What’s one attribute the colleges like about you?
KM: My speed, I run a 2.6 from home to first.

 

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SOFTBALL’S WORLD CUP TO BE IN IRVINE IN 2014

In case you hadn’t heard, the 2014 World Cup will make a rare appearance outside of Oklahoma with the ASA Hall of Fame stadium being renovated.

Here’s a release sent out by ASA/USA Softball explaining the temporary move as well as listing a schedule of dates and places to catch the USA team…

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With renovations underway at the ASA Hall of Fame stadium, the 2014 World Cup of Softball will move to Irvine, Calif. and be played at Bill Barber Park in conjunction with the Champions Cup July 7-12.

The World Cup, an ISF sanctioned event, will include some of the top teams in the world including Team USA, Japan, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Chinese Taipei and Venezuela.

The complete World Cup of Softball game schedule, including special pro- motions and autograph sessions will be announced at a later date. Ultimate Fan Zone tickets went on sale March 1 and general admission tickets start on March 21. Visit www.socalasa.org for more information or email WorldCupIX@aol.com with any questions.
In other USA Softball news:

Twenty-four athletes were named invitees for the 2014 USA Softball Women’s National Team Selection Camp to be held June 9-12. Athletes will vie for 17 spots on the 2014 USA Softball Women’s World Championship team roster that will compete for the International Softball Federation (ISF) World Championship in Haarlem, Netherlands this August.

Click here to see the 24 athletes who have received an invitation to tryout for the Women’s national team.

During the five-day selection process athletes will participate in position drills as well as simulated games and be evaluated by the Women’s National Team Selection Committee (WNTSC). Following camp, athletes will depart on a three-city tour of exhibition games in which they will be further evaluated.

Once selected, the 17 athletes who make up the 2014 USA Softball Women’s World Championship team will compete in six different events throughout United States, Canada, Italy and the Netherlands.

Fans in the United States will get three opportunities to see Team USA with two exhibition stops, Morgantown, W.V on July 3 and Waldorf, Md. on July 29, as well as the World Cup of Softball IX in Irvine, Calif. July 7-12.

* Additional athletes may be invited to USA Softball Women’s National Team selection camp at a later date…

Date                                        Event                                                  Location
June 13                                  Exhibition Games                                   Lynchburg, Va.
June 17                                  Exhibition Games                                   Findlay, Ohio
June 19                                  Exhibition Games                                   Purcellville, Va.
June 22                                  Women’s National Team Roster Announced
July 2-3                                  Exhibition Games                                   Morgantown, W. Va.
July 5-13                                World Cup IX                                          Irvine, Calif.
July 14-21                              Canadian Open FP                                 Surrey, B.C., Canada
July 28-29                              Exhibition Games                                 Waldorf, Md.
August 6-10                           Italian Softball Week                            Azzano, Italy
August 12-24                         XIV ISF Women’s World Champ.     Haarlem, Netherlands

 

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Players, parents and coaches:  want to know the best way to get us info on your favorite player?  Fill out our Recruit Form link and complete.  It comes directly to me (Brentt) and you very likely could see the info used somewhere on our site

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If you’d like to submit information, forward to brentt@studentsports.com.  Also, follow us on twitter at @SS_Softball.