Today we have bad news coming from the East Coast as a parent dies while at his daughter’s high school game.  We have happier news as we profile a talented Texan who, though just a freshman, knows where she’ll be playing in four years.  We also have a bunch more verbals and list the top teams in college this week….

 

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HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: A NORTH CAROLINA DAD DIES DURING GAME

*** Yesterday, the No. 6 team in the nation, Alexander Central of Taylorsville, N.C., faced Marvin Ridge of Waxhaw, N.C. in Taylorsville.

In the top of the first, Central scored to make it 1-0, but in the bottom of the inning the game was suspended as Dave Kasza, the father of Marvin Ridge infielder Kelsey Kasza, slumped over unconscious and despite efforts to perform CPR passed away.

Considered by several at Marvin Ridge as a “big softball fan and a huge supporter of the softball team and his daughter’s biggest fan,” Kasza was “57-ish” according to Marvin Ridge Athletic Director Kevin Allran.

It’s not confirmed yet what was the cause of death as an autopsy hasn’t been performed.

“The family decided to donate some of his tissues,” Mr. Allran explained, “and two people will regain their sight and six others will be helped with his tissues.”

Kelsey is a four-year player for the Mavericks program and is a three-year starter at first base.  She plays for the Carolina Curve club team and last September committed to play at Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C.

She’s the youngest child of Dave and Kathy Kasza and has a brother, Brandon, who is a student at Appalachian State University located in Boone, N.C.

Having seen all this less than 24 hours ago, Kathy is “in a cross between shock and disbelief,” according to her athletic director.

The softball team handled the tragedy in different ways—some came into school while many others went to the home of Head Coach Heather Carnes.  According to Allran, Kathy went to her coach’s home to be with them.

Monte Sherrill, the head coach at Alexander Central, posted an online note saying:

“Mr. Kasza was a avid fan of Marvin Ridge and the Number one fan of his daughter. Although I never knew him personally, I understand he repeatedly yelled for his daughter like, ‘You’re the Best’ and numerous other words of encouragement. As a father of 2 AC players on the field yesterday and a Coach at AC, I want to say, Rest in Peace my Brother .I hope the family finds peace and comfort in the fact he passed at something he loved dearly, with his family at the ball field. I hope you have peace in that we serve a risen savior. God Bless Mr. Dave Kasza.”

The news of Dave Kasza’s passing also has spread through social media:

In memory of Mr. Kasza everyone wear black to show support to Kelsey and her family tomorrow 2/7. #RIP #marvinfamily

— Kirsty Tavolacci (@tavolaccikirsty) March 6, 2014

 

 

Marvin Ridge High has launched a website for anyone who would like to donate to the family—please visit www.GoMavericks.org to help Kelsey and her family.

Sadly, for the second week in a row we’re asking the softball community to support a young athlete who lost a father suddenly.  Support the Kaxza family best you can, financially or in thoughts and prayers.

 

 

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PLAYER PROFILE: MADDIE MacGRANDLE

Grad Year: 2017
Pos: LHP/1B
High School: Frisco High School (Frisco, Texas)
GPA/SAT: “My first semester grade point average was 5.14 and I am currently ranked 43 out of 534.   I will not take the ACT/SAT until the spring of my sophomore year or fall of my junior year.”
Club: Texas Glory-Naudin
College: Texas A&M

***

StudentSportsSoftball.com: How excited are you for the season to start? 
Maddie MacGrandle: My older sister is a senior in high school.  We both play on the Lady Raccoon Varsity team and this will probably be the last time we get to play on a competitive team together.  Alex bats fourth, behind me, so there’s a lefty MacGrandle followed by a righty MacGrandle!

 

SSS.com: Tell us how you were first seen by the A&M coaches, then how long until they offered? 
MM: Coach (Mary Jo) Firnbach first saw me win an ITB game at 14U ASA/USA Nationals in the summer of 2013.  Several schools followed our team during showcases during the fall of that year.  We pulled over to the side of the road after a pitching lesson and I called (Head) Coach (Jo) Evans.  Coach Evans was extremely easy to talk with.  I got to meet the entire coaching staff and team on an unofficial visit.  Texas A&M was always my dream school and Coach Evans offered me the opportunity to play for her in late November; I accepted in December.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit then and what led into the decision?  
MM: I made several unofficial visits to Texas A&M during the fall of 2013.  When I visited or talked with other schools I always found myself comparing them back to the opportunities at Texas A&M.  Texas A&M was always my dream school. I like the spirit and traditions of Aggieland.  I never felt rushed to commit, but when Coach Evans offered me the opportunity to play softball at Texas A&M there was no reason to wait.  On December 10, 2013 (one day before my 15th birthday), I drove to College Station to tell Coach Evans in person that I wanted to play for her.  She gave me a great pep talk!

 

SSS.com: How exciting is it going to be to play in the SEC?
MM: Playing in the SEC offers the opportunity to play the best competition and my family members will get to be fans in the stands at many games.

 

SSS.com: You have as many high school years to play yet as you’ll have in college!  Is that a weird thing to consider, that you have a lot of club and high school ball before you hit the Aggie campus?
MM: It is humbling to think I already know where I will go to college, but it does relieve some stress and lets me focus on being a good teammate and improving as much as possible.

 

SSS.com: Did you and your family do anything to celebrate committing?
MM: We drove down to College Station and had a picture taken with the Aggie coaching staff.  I got a great pep talk and we got a few good nights of sleep!

 

SSS.com: How far away from home will be?  Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
MM: Yes, I wanted to attend college close to home.  College Station, Texas is about a three and a half hour drive.  It will be nice to be close enough for my family to come to games.

 

SSS.com:  What have you done so well (strengths) at such a young age that you were offered and committed?
MM: I have played a lot of softball over the last six years and have a good support system of family, coaches and instructors.   I grew over six inches in height in the past year and I am an athletic lefty pitcher who hits for average and power.  I am trying to use the tools I have in the best way possible.

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
MM: There’s been several:  early in my softball career, in the 2008 Ontario PWSA Provincials, I pitched a one-hitter and struck out 20.  It was the longest game ever.  It began late Friday night due to a thunderstorm delay and the lights turned off on our game.  We returned the following morning to finish the game.  I was also named Ontario PWSA MVP of the tournament.

Also, I remember hitting my first over-the-fence home run around age 11 and it dented the car roof of the other team’s coach!

Finally, my current assistant coach at Frisco told me that if I hit 25 home runs this season, she will let me name her baby that is due in September.  I have hit four in the last 19 at-bats, but I still don’t think I will make it!

 

Quick Hitters

 

Where do you see yourself 10-15 years from now (goals, dreams, etc.)?
Right now, I am trying to be a high school freshman.  Because Texas A&M offers some many education options I don’t have to worry about exactly what I want to be yet.

Fill in the blank… When I walk on the field, I feel like:___________________
“Do or do not, there is no try.”  That’s my dad’s favorite quote from Yoda (Star Wars)!

What “screen” are you most likely to be on tonight: TV, cell, tablet or laptop?
TV and laptop because I do my homework while watching TV or listening to music.  I cannot do my homework in silence.

Favorite movie(s):
Remember the Titans, 42 and Pitch Perfect.

Least favorite school subject:
World Geography.

Favorite way to relax:
Listen to music.

If you could go anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?
Greece.

What type of bat do you use?
Louisville Slugger LXT 34/25.

What’s the last book/magazine you read? 
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I Got A Pocket Full of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield is my alarm song that wakes me up every morning.

Are you more of a neat freak or a sloppy “clean it up later” person?
I am a pile maker.

How many times would you guess you’ve said “Gig’em?”
Lots, but probably say “Howdy” more.  My sister and I are always wearing A&M T’s and my dad wears his Aggie ring.  Seems like no matter where we are near or far (Disney, Caribbean), someone is always saying “Howdy” or “Gig’Em” accompanied by the thumbs up.

 

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Thanks to Steve Foster, the President and Head Coach of the Charlotte Starz 18U Elite team for passing on two commits:

— 2B/OF Meagan Martucii (2014, Wingate)
— C/1B/3B Walker Barbee (2016, Elon)

 

*** More verbals:

— OF Bekah Alcozer (2015, Texas)… plays for Texas Blaze Gold
— 3B Hailey Archuleta (2015, Syracuse)… plays for Strike Force Gold
— P/1B Isabella Berouty (2016, College of Charleston)… plays for So Cal A’s-Myers/McNeese
— IF/OF Natalie Cutright (2016, James Madison)… plays for New Jersey Breakers
— OF Kelly Fitzpatrick (2015, Dayton)… plays for Georgia Force-Moody
— P/1B Hailey Hopkins (2015, Kent State)… plays for Jersey Intensity-Hannigan
— P Morgan Marshall (2016, Belmont)… plays for Tennessee Fury
— OF Beth McCulley (2016, Kennesaw State)… plays for Atlanta Vipers
— 2B/OF Chloe Melanson (2015, Miami-Ohio)… plays for So Cal A’s-McNee/Myers
— P/1B Savannah Mercer (2014, Liberty)… plays for Tennessee Illusions
— 1B Sarai Niu (2015, Cal State Fullerton)… plays for So Cal A’s-Myers/McNee/Myers
— UT Demi Patonis (2015, Youngstown State)… plays for Tennessee Illusions
— OF Samara Perry (2015, Delaware State)… plays for TC Tremors Elite
— 3B Darby Pruitt (2014, Missouri State)… plays for Southaven Blue Angels
— IF Ragen Reddick (2015, Seton Hall)… plays for New Jersey Breakers
— 1B/OF Britney Schmidt (2016, South Florida)… plays for Lady Gators
— IF Jamie Soles (2014, Hartford)… plays for New Jersey Breakers

 

 

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COLLEGE NEWS:  TEAM RANKINGS

*** Four weeks of NCAA Division I softball have yet to produce a shake up at the top of the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll. The Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today that the Florida Gators (21-0), with 19 first place votes, are No. 1 for the fourth-consecutive time in the 2014 season.

Click here to see the complete ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll

The Gators, who have held the top spot in the poll since week one, traveled to Orlando, Fla. this week to compete in the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic where they went 5-0 and outscored opponents 43-4. Florida defeated then-No. 6 Oregon 2-1 in an eight-inning shootout on Friday and Fordham 9-0 and Ohio State 9-1 (6) on Saturday. They wrapped up their perfect weekend by topping Maryland 16-0 (5) and Radford 7-0 on Sunday. This weekend the Gators return to Gainesville for a match-up with Boston College on Tuesday and a three-game series with Ole Miss over the weekend.

Holding on at No. 2 for the second-consecutive week and third time since the start of the season is Tennessee (15-1). Following a midweek, 8-4 win at Cal State Fullerton the Lady Vols competed in the San Diego Classic over the weekend where they went 1-1 before being rained out of their final three games. The SEC squad suffered its first loss of the season when BYU took a 6-3 decision on Thursday.  Tennessee bounced back to beat San Diego State 3-1 later in the day. The Lady Vols will return to Knoxville for their first home games of the season when they host a doubleheader with Wright State on Wednesday and the Tennessee Tournament March 7-9.

One week after cracking the top five, the UCLA Bruins (16-0) jumped two spots to No. 3 this week despite having all four of their games at the Long Beach Louisville Slugger Invitational rained out last week.  The Bruins play host to No. 4 Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday this week before competing in six games in the UCLA/C Sun Invitational this weekend.

Michigan (13-2) managed to get one of five games in over the weekend, a 7-1, six inning run rule over Utah Valley, to hold on to the No. 4 position in the poll.

Following their mid-week contests with No. 3 UCLA, the Wolverines will travel to Fullerton, Calif. next Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the Judi Garman Classic.

The No. 5 Oregon Ducks (18-2) join the Top five for the first time since Week 14 of last season. The defending Pac-12 Champs went 4-1 on the week behind the pitching of ace Cheridan Hawkins (Anderson, Calif.) who was 3-1 in the circle and allowed just one run while striking out 49 batters in 23 innings pitched. The Ducks head to Honolulu, Hawaii this week for the Rainbow Wahine Classic.

Rounding out the Top 10: No. 6 Washington (16-2) climbed one spot after going 3-0 at the Libby Matson Tournament over the weekend; No. 7 Arizona State (19-3) fell four positions following a 2-3 weekend that included losses to South Carolina, 3-2, then-No. 20 Minnesota, 3-2 and Ball State, 3-0; the Arizona Wildcats (18-1) continued their climb up the poll moving up one spot after a 5-0 week that included four, five-inning run rules; No. 9 Florida State rejoined the Top 10 this week following a one-week hiatus; and No. 10 Kentucky fell two spots despite going 3-0 on the week.

New to the poll, No. 25 USC Upstate (19-0) enters the Top 25 for the first time after receiving votes in each of the previous polls this season. Following two losses on the week, Arkansas (15-5) dropped out of this week’s poll.

The ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll is voted on by coaching representatives from 10 Division I Conferences in the 15 ASA/USA Softball Regions as well as members of National and Local media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country.

Rank	Team	Record	Points	Previous Ranking
1.	Florida (19)	21-0	498	1
2.	Tennessee (1)	15-1	453	2
3.	UCLA	16-0	450	5
4.	Michigan	13-2	441	4
5.	Oregon	18-2	426	6
6.	Washington	16-2	389	7
7.	Arizona State	19-3	368	3
8.	Arizona	18-1	362	9
9.	Florida State	18-2	335	11
10.	Kentucky	16-2	332	8
11.	Alabama	17-4	315	10
12.	Baylor	16-4	274	12
13.	Oklahoma	13-6	233	13
14.	Nebraska	12-6	220	15
15.	South Alabama	15-2	206	16
16.	Texas A&M	16-4	186	18
17.	Stanford	17-5	170	14
18.	Missouri	12-3	169	19
19.	Georgia	16-2	156	17
20.	Minnesota	15-2	131	20
21.	Tulsa	16-2	114	22
22.	Notre Dame	15-3	68	23
23.	LSU	15-6	67	21
24.	Louisiana	14-5-1	33	25
25.	USC Upstate	19-0	24	RV

Parenthesis denotes first place votes.

Dropped Out: Arkansas (24)

New to Poll: USC Upstate (RV)

Others receiving votes: Mississippi State (23), Auburn (22), Northwestern (16), South Florida (11), Arkansas (2), San Diego State (2), DePaul (2), Hofstra (1), McNeese State (1)

 

***  This week’s vote wasn’t quite unanimous, but it was close as Florida (21-0) received 30 of 32 possible first-place nods to maintain firm hold over the No. 1 position in the March 4th edition of the USA Today/NFCA Division I softball poll.

On what proved to be a weather-plagued weekend throughout much of the U.S., the Gators extended their season-opening winning streak to 21 straight contests at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. UF prevailed in a high-profile match-up over then-No. 4 Oregon (2-1 in 8 inn.) before adding triumphs over Fordham (9-2), Ohio State (9-1 in 6 inn.), Maryland (16-0 in 5 inn.) and Radford (7-0).

Despite suffering the razor-thin defeat against Florida, Oregon (18-2) utilized a strong effort at the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic to climb from fourth to No. 2 in the latest rankings. The Ducks earned triumphs over then-No. 25 Auburn (3-0), Bradley (2-0), Maryland (10-2 in 5 inn.) and Illinois State (2-0).

A 6-3 loss to BYU at the rain-plagued San Diego Classic in San Diego, Calif., ended Tennessee’s (15-1) perfect start to the 2014 campaign. As a result, the Lady Vols, despite earning a single first-place nod, dropped a spot to third.

Weather issues at the Long Beach Classic in Long Beach, Calif., wreaked havoc on the schedules for both UCLA (16-0) and Michigan (13-2), but both squads still managed to rise a single position this week to fourth and fifth, respectively.

Washington (16-2) advanced a slot to sixth after going 3-0 last week at the Libby Matson Tournament in Stockton, Calif. Five straight victories within the friendly confines of Hillenbrand Stadium helped Arizona (18-1) continue its rapid ascension of the polls as the ‘Cats leapt from 10th to seventh.

No. 8 Kentucky (16-2) and No. 9 Florida State (18-2) held steady, while consecutive defeats to then-No. 19 Minnesota (2-3) and Ball State (0-3) at the Louisville Slugger Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., resulted in Arizona State’s (19-3) plummeting seven slots from third to 10th.

Auburn dropped out of the No. 25 position following a 4-2 effort that included tough losses against then-No. 9 Florida State (4-5) and then-No. 4 Oregon (0-3). The Tigers’ exit allowed for the entrance of USC Upstate (19-0) at No. 25. The national ranking marks just the second time the Spartans have ever been listed in the USA Today/NFCA Division I poll with the last occurrence coming at No. 24 back on April 9, 2013.

The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches, one representing each conference. Current 2014 records are shown, first-place votes are in parentheses.

USA Today/NFCA Division I Softball Poll – Week 4 – March 4, 2014

Rank	Team	2014 Record	Totals	Last Poll Rank
1	Florida (30)	21-0	798	1
2	Oregon	18-2	734	4
3	Tennessee (1)	15-1	732	2
4	UCLA (1)	16-0	712	5
5	Michigan	13-2	649	6
6	Washington	16-2	637	7
7	Arizona	18-1	578	10
8	Kentucky	16-2	570	8
9	Florida State	18-2	564	9
10	Arizona State	19-3	536	3
11	Alabama	17-4	471	11
12	Baylor	16-4	437	12
13	Texas A&M	16-4	382	13
14	South Alabama	15-2	360	14
15	Missouri	12-3	346	17
16	Nebraska	12-6	300	16
17	Minnesota	15-2	273	19
18	Georgia	16-2	222	18
19	Oklahoma	13-6	203	20
20	Tulsa	16-2	200	21
21	Notre Dame	15-3	168	23
22	Stanford	17-5	164	15
23	Louisiana Lafayette	14-5-1	119	24
24	LSU	15-6	70	22
25	USC Upstate	19-0	57	RV

 Dropped Out:  No. 25 Auburn (17-3-1)

Others Receiving Votes:  Auburn (39), Mississippi State (27), Northwestern (23), Hofstra (12), DePaul (9), USF (5), San Diego State (2), UAB (1).

 

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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.