Today we’re all over the map… literally, as we start with Olympic news from Sochi, Russia and then head back to the U.S. where we profile players in California and Virginia and even have collegiate National Players of the Week…

 

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OLYMPIC NEWS: GW ALUM ELANA MEYERS IN BOBSLED 1^ST PLACE

In late December I had the privilege to interview Elana Meyers, the former George Washington softball standout from Atlanta, Gal. who picked up bobsledding after her collegiate career was done and went on to become one of the top athletes in the sport, taking a bronze medal in the two-person bobsled at the Vancouver Olympics.

We got a dozen e-mails from excited fans noting that after the first day of heats in her event at the Sochi Olympic Games, Elana and her partner Lauryn Williams are in first place with the final heats to take place tomorrow.

Here’s a story on Yahoo! detailing how the day went

The American pair has a .23 second lead over the Canadian team of Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse who took the Gold in Vancouver.

What’s interesting is that while Meyers background is in softball, Williams was an Olympic sprinter who just started in the bobsled late last year.

Here’s the article we published called “Elana Meyers Olympic Dreams Fulfilled” around New Year’s and then reposted on Feb. 9 near the start of the Games.

This is the Official Results page for the Olympic Games (call “Bobsleigh” here)

 

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PLAYER PROFILE: MACKENZIE BOESEL

Grad Year: 2016
Pos: shortstop/second base
High School: Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
GPA: 4.5
Club: So Cal Athletics-Richardson
Stats: hit .427 with 26 runs, 21 RBI in 2013
Honors: 1st Team All-Trinity League, only freshman to be named All-Orange Co. (3rd Team); Orange County Freshman of the Year
College: South Carolina

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: You’ve joined the most successful club program around right now, the So Cal A’s which have four national titles in a row.  What’s that like being in the spotlight now?
Mackenzie Boesel: I feel very fortunate to be playing with such a talented group of players. I hope I can play a part in the continued success of the team.  I know with their past success there will be high expectations on us.

 

SS.com: South Carolina is recruiting very well in California these days… tell us how they first found you and what the recruit process was like.
MB: They first saw me play when I was in 8th grade at PGF. They saw me again at the OnDeck National Elite Camp the next fall and again in Florida in November.  I went on an unofficial visit in January 2013 and that is when they first offered me a scholarship. They continued to follow me the rest of my freshman year.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
MB:  I decided to commit at the end of the summer of 2013. I love the coaching staff and I really like the school and facilities at South Carolina. Another reason is because I really liked the talent of the girls they recruited and I get a chance to play in the SEC.

 

SSS.com:  Any concerns about going from coast to coast?  Not like you can get home for the weekend and have mom do your laundry!
MB: No, I’m really excited about living in a different part of the country and experiencing some place new.

 

SSS.com: Did you have an “aha” moment when you knew South Carolina was the place for you?  Did you have a “pro’s” and “con’s” list?
MB: There wasn’t one “aha” moment but my interest continued to grow over time to the point that I just knew that South Carolina was where I wanted to go. I had a lot of pro’s and really didn’t have any con’s.

 

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, what was running through your mind…
MB:  I was really excited and couldn’t wait to tell them. I knew about three weeks before I told them and it was really hard to keep it to myself.  I was going out to their camp in three weeks and wanted to tell them in person. I couldn’t wait to officially be a Gamecock.

 

SSS.com:  In perhaps the most talented county in the country for fastpitch softball at the high school/club age, it’s quite an honor to be the OC Freshman of the Year… what does that mean to you?
MB: It’s such an honor because there are so many great players in Orange Country. I feel very fortunate to have been named the OC Freshman of the Year.

 

SSS.com:  Evaluate yourself as a player… what are your strengths and where would you like to improve?
MB: I feel my strengths are my defense, consistency in hitting and my competitiveness.  I feel like my hitting for power is improving. I want to keep improving on every aspect of the game, especially the mental side.

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
MB: Hitting two home runs in a game in just my second weekend after joining the So Cal Athletics. Also, being named OC Freshman of the Year and of course committing to the University of South Carolina.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to do in your career post softball?
I want to have a job working in the sports industry.

Fill in the blank… I’m proudest of my ability to:
… balance school and softball.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
People not having enough food to eat.

Favorite dessert:
Chocolate chip cookies.

Least favorite place:
Being in a dirty car.

If you were handed a check for $1,000, what would you do with it?
I would buy a puppy!

What type of bat do you use (and do you like it)?
Easton Mako and yes, I love it!

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen happen on a softball field?
The ball hit off the outfielders head and over the fence for a home run.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I hate warm fruit.

What is playing on your headphones/earbuds right now?
Carolina by Parmalee.

If you had to wear the same color outfit every day to school for a week, what color would you choose and why?
Blue because it is my favorite color.

What makes you most proud to say you’re a Southern California girl?
We live by Disneyland and have great weather all year long, which allows us to play softball year round.

 

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RECRUIT SPOTLIGHT OF THE DAY: PATTY MAYE OHANIAN

High school: Lake Braddock
City: Burke
State: 
Va.
Grad year: 2017
Club: Vienna Stars
Position(s): P/1B
Height: 5-8

Stats & Honors:  pitching: had a WHIP of 1.098 with 4.9 K/BB and a first pitch strike average of 67%; hitting: batted .400 with a .422 on-base percentage and a .527 slugging percentage

College: Illinois
Why Illinois: “The coaches are three of the most dynamic and inspiring women I have ever met. Illinois is such a good academic school and the campus is beautiful.”

What is your favorite bat: I like my Easton bat, it’s a 33/24 loaded bat
What bat does your team use? I use an Easton bat although our team allows us to use any bat we want.
What is your favorite brand of cleats? 
Ringor
What is the uniform brand you prefer? Intensity/Nike

 

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TOPICAL ISSUE: TRANSGENDER SOFTBALL PLAYER

The Azusa (Calif.) High softball team made the news last week when it was announced that Pat Cordova-Goff, a 17-year-old transgender senior who was selected as the school’s first transgender homecoming princess in September, is trying out for the softball team.

Read more in this San Gabrielle Valley Tribune article

The athlete, who is also the Associated Student Body President, started playing baseball at four years old but, according to the article in the Valley Tribune, “quite the sport after an uncomfortable freshman season on the Aztec baseball team.”

The results of the softball tryout are supposed to be announced this afternoon and Cordova-Goff, who pitched and played third in baseball, is willing to play any position if she makes the team.

California, along with 11 other states, have laws prohibiting discrimination in schools because of gender identity.  Opponents, however, feel that there are competitive advantages to one who was born a male playing a female sport.

It will be interesting to see how the case goes either way… if the student doesn’t make the team will their be lawsuits?  If she does make the team, will there be a backlash from teammates, parents or even opponents?

What do you think… I’d love to get your thoughts on the subject.  Email: brentt@studentsports.com

 

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Lizzie Donaldson, a 2016 right-handed pitcher with the Centex Buzz-Leighty team, has committed to Texas State.

Lizzie committed last night to Coach Ricci Woodard and is a sophomore at Bosqueville High in Texas where she’s a 4.0 student-athlete.

 

*** Jamie Hatch, a 2015 outfielder with the Firecrackers-Arizona, has committed to UNLV.

 

*** Don’t be surprised if Zoe Shaw is like Elana Meyers in reverse… instead of going from softball to another sport, Zoe, a 2015 infielder who attends El Camino High in Woodland Hills, Calif., just came to softball last year from baseball.

Zoe played on the El Camino frosh/baseball team in 2012 and stared at second and even was awarded the “Offensive Player of the Year” as she hit .430.

Last year she played second base on the JV team and after playing summer baseball found that she could compete defensively, but at the plate strength was becoming an issue so she moved to softball.

She started off with the Pacific Coast Predators where she played last fall and hit over .430 with an on-base percentage of .595.

Zoe is now playing for the So Cal Choppers led by Gary Fausett and it looks like she will play shortstop.

The junior has talked to schools like UCLA, although many top programs are out of 2015 money so it will be interesting to see where Zoe lands.

But she could be a diamond in the rough and, like bobsledder extraordinaire Meyers, may be a late starter with a very high ceiling in her new sport.

 

*** More verbals:

— C/3B Jorth Baillie (2015, Colgate)… plays for Florida Power Black
— P Summer Jenkins (2016, College of Charleston)… plays for Carolina Fire-Mendez
— UT Logan hill (2016, Troy)… plays for Santa Fe Inferno

 

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COLLEGE NEWS: NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

*** A perfect 3-0 record  with a 1.11 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 19.0 innings at the Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas over the weekend earned Tulsa senior starting pitcher Aimee Creger (Yukon, Okla.) this weeks USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week honors the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. The right hander helped her team improve to 9-1 on the season and move into the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 for the first time since Week 13 of last season.

“It’s very exciting to me,” said Creger, referring to being named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week.  “It gives me the determination to continue to do really well this season, so I can play with the (USA Softball Women’s National) team again this summer.  I definitely could not do as well as I have been without my team, because they’ve been hitting well and playing great defense behind me. I have all the confidence in them, and they’re part of the reason why I’ve done so well.”

Creger began her week by striking out 14 batters in a six inning complete-game, allowing just two hits in a 9-1 Tulsa win over the Pac-12’s Oregon State. In a rematch between the two teams on Saturday, the Oklahoma native improved on her performance from the previous day by striking out 15 Oregon State batters in a two-hit shutout. Creger allowed just one walk in the contest as Tulsa went on to a 4-0 victory.

Her biggest test of the weekend came on Sunday when Creger and the Golden Hurricane took the field versus then-No. 11 Texas A&M. Aimee struck out 11 Aggie batters and allowed just two runs on four hits in six innings of work as she lead Tulsa to the 5-2 upset.

“I’m very proud of Aimee for getting this award. She has been spectacular in her career here at Tulsa,” said Tulsa Head Coach John Bargfeldt. “In her first two games last weekend, she was as dominant as I’ve seen her. To throw basically two complete games and then come out and still be sharp and have that much left in the tank – obviously the adrenaline gets going when you’re playing a good ranked team like Texas A&M. She was fired up and ready to go. She showed a lot of heart and guts to fight through. She definitely deserves all the accolades that come her way.”

For the week, Creger allowed just three runs on eight hits with eight walks and a .125 opponent batting average while averaging 2.1 strikeouts per inning. In addition to being named the USA Softball Collegiate National Player of the Week, the senior earned her second consecutive Conference-USA Pitcher of the Week award. This is the first USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week honor for a Golden Hurricane since Jackie Lawrence earned the award in Week 9 of the 2007 season. The Golden Hurricane return to action this weekend, Feb. 21-23, at the Georgia Tech/Kennesaw State Crossover Tournament.

2014 USA Softball National Collegiate Players of the Week
Week 1 (Feb. 6-9): Kylee Lahners – Washington – Junior – Infielder– Laguna Hills, Calif.
Week 2 (Feb. 10 -16): Aimee Creger – Tulsa – Senior – Pitcher– Yukon, Okla.

 

*** Senior pitcher Bryana Walker of the University of Washington has been chosen as the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week for games played over February 10-16.

“It’s a huge honor to be recognized by the NFCA,” Walker said. “Our team had a great performance this week. To be recognized is just a testament to how well the team did. We come to compete every day. It’s a testament to how strong we are as a team and how strong we can be if we keep working hard.

“Our offensive production allowed us to have a great weekend. It gave me the confidence to attack the strike zone and to pitch fearlessly. It allowed me to be relaxed and confident while I was throwing.”

Walker guided the Huskies’ efforts from the circle, posting a perfect 4-0 record with a 0.33 ERA, three complete games and 30 strikeouts over 21 innings of work. Among her impressive performances was a career-high, 14-K effort while allowing just three hits during a 3-1 victory over then-No. 11 and defending national champion Oklahoma. The La Quinta, Calif., native also fired a complete-game, two-hitter in an 18-1 (5 inn.) victory over San Jose State (received votes in the Feb. 11 NFCA poll) and came within one out of a no-hitter during a 17-0 (5 inn.) rout of SIU-Edwardsville.

“It’s an honor to have our student athletes and our program recognized by the NFCA,” Washington head coach Heather Tarr said. “Bryana and our pitching staff put together some dominant performances for us this weekend. The cool thing is we are still growing as a team. We are proud to be off to a good start, but we are even more excited about what’s next.”

Next up for Walker and the Huskies is a visit to Palm Springs, Calif., for the prestigious Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. During its stay, UW will battle Maryland, No. 23 LSU, No. 25 Texas, Northwestern and BYU.

Selected Top Performances

Oregon’s Cheridan Hawkins broke the school record with 18 K’s during a 10-inning win over UNLV and fired her third career no-hitter in a victory over Ohio State…Lipscomb’s Tanner Sanders, the Atlantic Sun Player of the Week, was 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a pair of shutouts, including wins over UAB and then-No. 16 Baylor at the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas…. Michigan’s Sierra Romero hit .600 (9-for-15) with six runs scored and eight RBIs to go along with three multi-hit games at the Ragin’ Cajun Invitational on her way to Big Ten Player of the Week honors…IPFW’s Larissa Franklin hit .583 (7-for-12) with seven runs scored and two RBIs while helping the Mastodons to an upset of #15 Texas, the first win over a ranked team in school history…Nevada’s Amanda Weis, the Mountain West Player of the Week, batted 500 (8-for-16) with five HR’s and 13 RBIs in a 4-1 weekend at the Easton Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev….Conference USA Player of the Week North Texas’ Brooke Foster posted a 588 mark (10-17) while helping her squad to a 5-0 mark at the Lovelace Invitational…Ohio U. pitcher Savannah Jo Dorsey, the MAC Pitcher of the Week, was 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 13 K’s over 16 innings of work and also fired her first career no-hitter during a win over North Florida…Florida’s Lauren Haeger hit .533 with four HR’s and eight RBIs while also firing a complete game in a win over Seattle to earn SEC Player of the Week…Auburn’s Morgan Estell batted .429 (6-for-14) with four doubles, a HR and 10 RBIs…Coastal Carolina’s Kory Hayden, the Big South Player of the Week, batted .385 with three HR’s and nine RBIs…Missouri State’s Bethany Sullinger, the MVC Player of the Week, hit safely in all five games and .625 overall (10-for-16) for the Bears during a 5-0 week…Northern Iowa’s Jamie Fisher fired her first career perfect game against Southern to help earn her MVC Pitcher of the Week…Notre Dame’s Karley Wester, the ACC Player of the Week, hit .556 with seven RBIs in wins over then-No. 25 Louisville (two) and Jacksonville…Tulsa’s Aimee Creger, the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week, went 3-0 with a 1.11 ERA and 40 strikeouts over 19 innings while picking up a win over then-No. 8 Texas A&M…Tennessee’s Annie Aldrete hit .615 with four doubles, a HR and eight RBIs at the USF Tournament in Tampa, Fla….Arizona’s Shelby Babcock posted a 2-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and 13 K’s in nine innings while also tossing a two-hit shutout over then-No. 4 Alabama…Rutgers’ Loren Williams batted .684 (13-of-19) with five runs, two doubles, a HR and four RBIs while registering at least two hits in each of five weekend match-ups…OVC Player of the Week, Jacksonville State’s Kalee Tabor, hit .615 with three HR’s and eight RBIs at the Charleston Southern Tournament.

2014 Louisville Slugger Division I National Player of the Week
Feb. 11 – Griffin Joiner – Kentucky – Jr. – C – Hopkinsville, Ky.
Feb. 18 – Bryana Walker – Washington – Sr. – P – La Quinta, Calif.

 

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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.