A bit different Daily Update today… we don’t do a club or even a player profile, instead we focus on FAB 50 teams from one very loaded state and also have some more indepth recruiting news including a player who committed on her 14^th birthday and another who committed in early January only to suffer a knee injury that will keep her off the field until the fall…

 

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FAB 50 HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW: ARIZONA SCHOOLS

A week from Friday—on Valentine’s Day, actually—we will launch the 2014 preseason FAB 50 High School Softball Rankings.

To get you (hopefully) pumped up for the initial rankings, we’re going to spotlight key states leading up to the initial list.

Today, we go to Arizona….  the number in front of the school is their final FAB 50 national ranking after the 2013 season:

 

ARIZONA

 

1. Red Mountain (Mesa, Ariz.) 33-5

• Won Arizona Division I State Championship with 9-5 victory over No. 29 Chaparral.
• Return 8 of 9 top offensive contributors from last year’s team.
• All three pitchers who recorded a win last season return including Arizona State commit Sr. Breana Macha who went 19-4 last season. She also batted .380.
• No. 2 pitcher Sr. Marian Ruf also returns after going 9-1 in the circle last season and batted .421 with 28 RBI, 22 runs, and six home runs.
• Sr. C/INF and Southern Mississippi Commit Jordan Beck returns after hitting .474 last season with 41 RBI’s and 10 home runs.
• Other Key Returners: INF Sr. Ashley Hill (.397 BA, 41 RBI, 30 runs, 4 HR); UT Jr. Alex Wiley (.471 BA, 26 RBI, 23 runs)

 

5. Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.) 36-1

• Won Arizona Division II State Championship
• Lost Arizona Republic Big School Player of the Year Taylor Nowlin from last year’s team. Also lost 4 more starters to graduation.

 

13. Mountain Ridge (Glendale, Ariz.) 31-4

• Return 6 of top 10 contributors from last years team
• Lost Starting pitcher Sai Foley (21 appearances, 114 IP) who also batted .358 with 26 RBI’s.
• Also lost starting catcher Rhecya Riley who batted .356 with 31 RBI’s
• Return No. 2 Pitcher Kaylin Ayotte (1.57 ERA, 76 IP) who also batted .449
• Return Sr. 3B and New Mexico State commit Corrin Green who batted. 566 last year with 56 RBI’s, 46 Runs scored, and 17 home runs.
• Return Jr. Georgia commit SS Alyssa Di Carlo who batted .532 with 66 RBI’s, 51 runs scored, and 11 home runs.
• Other Key Returners: Jr. Bailey Gaffin (Dixie St., .446 BA, 25 RBI’s, 48 runs, 20 SB), Jr. CF Taylor Kaye (Grand Canyon U, .455 BA, 47 runs), Jr. OF Sam Gonzalez (.395 BA), SS/2B Sr. Natalie Cravens (.326 BA, 21 Runs), C/3B Soph. Marisa Alemany (.417 BA, 22 RBI’s), OF Jr. Kayla Bellaire (.410 BA, 28 runs)

 

29. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 28-12

• Returning a majority of team that reached Arizona Division 1 Title game last year
• Return 11 of 14 top contributors from last year’s team including all four pitchers that recorded victories.
• Return No. 1 pitcher and hitter in Sr. Dallas McBride (New Mexico St., .500 BA, 43 RBI’s, 36 runs, 13 home runs, 20-8, 183 IP, 194 K)
• Other Key Returners: OF Sr. Alana Anderson (George Washington, .454 BA, 34 Runs, .512 OBP, 18 SB), 2B Jr. Lauren LaTerra (.421 BA, 35 RBI’s, .491 OBP, 4 home runs), C/SS Jr. Alexa Thorell (.378 BA), INF/OF Sr. Maggie Roche (.453, 25 Runs)

 

38. Mountain View (Mesa, Ariz.) 27-8

• Key Losses: Valerie Kaff, the Gatorade State Player of the Year, who was the winning pitcher in each of Mountain View’s 27 victories last season and also batted .310
• Return 8 of top 10 hitters from last season
• Key Returners: Sr. C Sidney Ryan (.426 BA, 45 RBI’s, 31 runs, 14 HR), Brittany Lindblom (.303, 29 runs), Sr. 3B/C Teddy Yellowman (.312), 2B/OF Sr. Page Roberts (.302)
• Only pitchers with IP last season: Jr. Sia Iongi (0-1, 9.2 IP, 9 ER, 9 K); Jr. Jami Wickerman (4 IP, 3 ER)

 

41. Horizon (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 29-6

• Return 7 of top 10 offensive contributors from last season’s team that reached the Semi-Finals of the Arizona Division I State Tournament.
• Return No. 1 pitcher and hitter in Jr. Tamara Statman (Arizona, .481 BA, 30 runs, 19 RBI, 24-6, 1.72 ERA, 286 K, 26 CG, 10 SO)
• Other Key Returners: Jr. OF Kaila Jacobi (.386 BA, 36 RBI’s, 33 Runs, 10 HR), Soph. 2B Gabby Moreno (.314 BA, 36 runs, 17 RBI, 6 SB)

 

Basha (Glendale, Ariz.) 26-6

• Return 9 of top 10 offensive contributors from last season
• Return top two pitchers: Sr. Lynea Klemmedson (13-3, 115 IP, 85 K, 3.04 ERA, 13 CG, 4 SO); Sr. Kelsey Tidwell (12-3, 82 IP, 61 K, 2.39 ERA, 9 CG, 3 SO)
• Key Returners: C/1B Sr. Hailee Siroky (.472 BA, 50 RBI, 30 runs, .525 OBP, 9 HR), OF Jr. Brooke Breland (.337 BA, 32 RBI, 17 runs, 7 HR), INF Sr. Briielle Breland (.417 BA, 47 runs, 21 RBI, 18 SB), INF Sr. Courtney Hiruko (BYU-Hawaii; .349 BA, 29 runs)
• Key Losses: INF Kylie Shull (Grand Canyon Univ.; .459 BA, 51 RBI, 31 runs)

 

Desert Ridge (Scottsdale, Ariz.) 23-10

• Return 8 of top 10 offensive contributors from last season’s team
• Return No. 1 Pitcher Soph. Bailey Klitzke (16-6, 2.25 ERA, 139 K, .296 BA)
• Return No. 2 Pitcher/1B Sr. Courtney O’Brien (7-4, 77 IP, 70 K, 2.91 ERA, .230 BA, 16 RBI, 2 HR
• Other Key Returners: C Sr. Chryse Hausenfluck (.355 BA, 29 RBI, 2 HR); OF Jr. Ashtyn Blakeman (.344 BA, 20 runs, 10 SB), INF Sr. Alexis Paffumi (.284 BA, 26 Runs, 7 SB)

 

Estrella Foothills (Goodyear, Ariz.) 33-2

• Return 6 of top 9 offensive contributors that won Arizona Division III State Championship
• Return No. 1 pitcher and hitter in Jr. Dustie Durham (29-2, 1.49 ERA, 172 K, 18 CG, 7 SO, .462 BA, 40 runs, 26 RBI)
• Other key returners: OF Jr. Taylor Godfrey (.470 BA, 56 runs, 20 RBI, 36 SB); C/SS Sr. Ashley Godfrey (.443 BA, 51 runs, 36 RBI, 3 HR); OF Sr. Alex Fedo (.427 BA, 43 runs, 21 RBI, 13 SB)

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: KATHRYN CARTER’S BITTERSWEET JANUARY

Kathryn Carter, a 2016 pitcher with the Georgia Elite, starting off the New Year with a bang as “Kat” committed to the Univ. of Illinois on January 8.

However, less than three weeks later, on January 27, she suffered an ACL injury playing high school basketball that will have her out for the summer although she will be back in time to play for high school ball in the fall.

“She is obviously distraught over missing this year after celebrating such great news about her verbal commitment,” her club coach, Australia Hoover, said this afternoon.

According to her father, Sanford, Kathryn will have surgery next Wednesday and is currently walking around in a brace.

“She and a girl were going for a loose ball and Kat’s foot stopped and the knee gave out,” he explained.  “It will be a six month rehab from the time of the surgery so that will put her back in the middle of August.  She’ll be chomping on the bit.”

According to both father and coach, the Illinois coaches saw the pitcher, who throws in the mid-60’s and has a tough drop curve, at the PGF Nationals last summer.

“She pitched a very close back-and-forth nailbiter of a game that we lost against the Sorcerers from Northern California and were eliminated from the tournament,” remembers Coach Hoover.

“Even though we lost and ended up with a ninth place finish for the tournament, her performance in that game and the games before it, made quite an impression.  Kat never lost her composure and she fought from the first pitch to the last.”

“Illinois Assistant Coach Donna DiBiase approached me at the tournament about Kat and that began their process to track her.”

The family took an unofficial trip to Champaign, Ill. to check out the school in September and the Illinois coaches watched her in a high school game in the fall and then spend a full weekend evaluating her at a November club tournament.

They offered on that Tuesday in January and two days later Kat called to commit.

“She really fell in love with the facilities, the coaching staff including Head Coach Terri Sullivan, and the tremendous history of the program and how coach Sullivan has built it,” explains Coach Hoover.

“And what makes Kat a Big 10 player to me is her presence, physical attributes and her burning desire to compete and win.”

“Kathryn is one of the most naturally strong players I’ve coached, particularly her lower half.  She has only now started to learn to use her base and core to help her increase speed, which was already impressive.  Once she gets the physical part in sync with her determination and focus to compete, she will be a force to be reckoned with.”

“She has such a giving and caring spirit, which is sometimes weird for me to reconcile—there’s the tough, fierce competitive demeanor on the field  and after the game she’s smiling, hugging and is everyone’s best friend.  She is a joy to coach.”

“I know she will bounce back soon from her injury that will have her out for the rest of the upcoming season.  She works hard and has the will to overcome any obstacle.

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Madison Pacini most likely had a birthday to celebrate this year that will surpass anyone else’s…

Why?

Because on her 14^th birthday which was on January 13, 2014, the Class of 2018 catcher/outfielder committed to the Univ. of Tennessee.

Madison received her offer from the Vols when she was playing for the Batbusters Fox 16U team out of San Diego; now she is one the So Cal Athletics-Quarles squad which is one of the top 14U programs in the country.

According to her father, Erik, she was first spotted at the OnDeck National Elite Camp last October and then was seen again at the Surf City Pre-Thanksgiving tournament.

At the National Elite Camp run by the Allisters she was clocked at 81 mph bat speed and her exit speed was 76 mph.  Her overhand throw was measured at 65 mph.

Coach Ralph Weekly spoke to Mike Fox right after one of the game

s at Surf City and extended an offer then.

“She had a good game, obviously,” laughs Erik.  “Mike Fox had a hand in it and should get some credit.  He’s great with the recruiters.”

Madison will attend Bonita Vista High in Chula Vista, Calif. this fall.  She was recruited at both catcher and outfielder.

“Coach Weekly said we look for athletes who can play more than one position and she’s just as good in the outfield as catcher,” her father says.

So why commit now?

“She was ready,” Erik says.  “We tripped in early January to Tennessee and South Carolina, who also offered, and she really felt comfortable with both but liked the facilities and the coaches at Tennessee.  Even the cold weather, there was a polar vortex and it was really cold and in single digits, but she was fine with it.”

 

*** Last Friday, we profiled Jordan Roberts, a 2016 catcher from Suwannee High in Live Oak, Fla. who plays for the Gold Coast Hurricanes-Cooper team and has verballed to the Univ. of Florida.

Here’s the link to that Daily Update with her info and photos.

One thing we learned late about Jordan that didn’t make the profile is that she’s a competitive weightlifter for her high school and is very, very good at it.

The girls on the team are only allowed to compete in two events: bench press and clean and jerk. According to Jordan’s mom, Jackie, “her strong suit is definitely clean and jerk. She really loves that event although it makes me super nervous every time she does it!

“Jordan won first place in every meet this year except against Wakulla. Of course the biggest accomplishment was beating Columbia High School who is our decades long archrival. Jordan’s max on bench is 130 pounds and her clean and jerk is 160.”

The state meet is in two days and Jordan will be there.

“I really got into weightlifting by accident,” the two-sport star wrote to tell us last night about this other sport that she excels in besides softball.

“I met Coach Seth Stebbins my freshman year and he thought I would be good at it so I tried it and was really shocked that I got to go as far as I did. I made it to State my freshman year placing third in Regionals.”

“I really just love to compete. I have played lots of other sports: in junior high I played volleyball, soccer and softball.  My freshman year I did volleyball, weightlifting and softball. This year I swam on the high school swim team and am no weightlifting and playing softball.”

“I just love sports and competitions of any kind. I’m definitely most proud of being the District Champion in my weight class this year and bumping up my place in Regionals to 2nd place this year. I am on my way back to State this weekend in Kissimmee. I just want to do my personal best. There are so many amazing athletes in Florida and I just feel so blessed to be alongside of them doing what I love.”

 

*** Maria Ascher, a 2014 shortstop from Roseville, Minn.,  has committed to Quinnipiac University and her club coach, Michelle Harrison, of the Minnesota Sting gives us a more detailed look at her college-bound player.

“Maria is a standout softball and basketball player and until recently wasn’t sure which sport she would pursue at the DI level in college.  She is also an incredible scholar-athlete, with her weighted GPA tipping well over 4.0 and her ACT score of 31.”

“I’m amazed at what this kid is able to pull off.  This year she has committed fully to her studies, the basketball court and the softball field and is a fully integrated part of her teams.  The sacrifice and hard work Maria puts into her passions is respected and admired by her Minnesota Sting coaching staff and teammates.  Maria is going to succeed wildly at the next level due in part to her self-discipline and strong work ethic.”

“Maria is new to our Sting organization this year.  Within the first two weeks of practice back in August, she clearly earned the spot as starting shortstop, a key position that we were lacking with returning players.  Maria may have begun the year as the newbie, but she quickly became a leader on our team and has done a fantastic job captaining our infield.”

“Maria has fast feet and very good hands.  She is smooth and has great arm speed.  Her agility provides her the ability to get to the ball quickly and cover great space.  Offensively, she is a lefty power hitter that has good foot speed, enough to surprise opponents with the drag bunt and slap.  Her versatility in the box and aggressive intuition on the bases make her that much more of a threat.  Maria is a smart player, has a high softball IQ and instinctively understands game situations.

Maria just flat out plays the game hard.  Whether in games or practices, Maria sets the standard for our team.  There isn’t anything we ask of her that she isn’t willing to do at 100 percent.  She is also a great teammate, very supportive of her team, well-liked and admired by all the girls.”

“Maria plans on majoring in physical therapy and working toward her doctorate at Quinnipiac University.  We are very proud of Maria and wish her and the Quinnipiac Bobcats all the best!”

 

*** More verbals:

— C/UT Kelsie Barnard (2015, Santa Clara)… plays for San Jose Lady Sharks
— OF Kayla Bear (2015, Eastern Illinois)… plays for Indy Dreams-Bell
— P Caitlin Bingham (2017, Wichita State)… plays for Oklahoma Gametime Stars
— 3B/1B Madison Clark (2014, Cal State Bakersfield)… plays for Central Cal Dirt Dogs
— C Caitlyn Emberson (2015, Charleston Southern)… plays for Fresno Force
— C/3B Janee Hogg (2016, Ball State)…Plays for Indy Dreams-Bell
— C/3B Morgan Lamb (2014, Boise State)… Plays for California Grapettes
— C/3B Dayna Manser (2014, Cal Poly)… plays for Central Cal Dirt Dogs
— SS/OF Maricala Matos (2016, San Jose State)… plays for San Jose Lady Sharks
— OF Hannah Morena (2014, Colgate)… plays for California Grapettes
— INF/OF Carley Morfey (2018, San Jose State)… plays for USA Elite
— C Madison Perrigan (2016, Wichita State)… plays for Oklahoma Gametime Stars
— P/UT Brittney Rayfield (2016, South Florida)… plays for Gold Coast Hurricanes
— C/3B Madison Rojas (2016, UC Davis)… plays for Sorcerer
— 1B/3B Zoe Schafer (2015, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville)… plays for Indy Dreams-Bell
— C/INF Deidra See (2015, Liberty)… plays for Fresno Force
— MIF Alex Sotomayor (2014, UC Davis)… plays for Central Cal Dirt Dogs
— OF/3B Rachel Tadlock (2015, Louisiana-Monroe)… plays for Sorcerer Gold
— SS/3B Blake Wallert (2015, Winthrop)… plays for Charlotte Magic
— 3B/C Noa Yakir (2015, Cal Poly)… plays for San Jose Sting

 

 

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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.