We finish out the first full week in January with a look at the first 50 players announced in the Hot 100 2015 list (#’s 100-51) and then profile a new verbal who’s a ways away from college as she’s only a freshman.  We spotlight two Florida juniors and learn why they’re going to their colleges of choice and also have NPF news around the upcoming draft…

 

 

*****

HOT 100 2015’S: FIRST 50 IN THE BOOKS

The end of the week means we’ve posted half of the Hot 100 2015’s… the top softball juniors in the nation.

So far, there have been girls listed from the following states:

• Alabama
• Arizona

• 

  California

• Florida
• Georgia
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas

… 17 in all, not a bad cross representation.

So far the Tennessee Vols leads the college race with four players in the Hot 100 with 10 universities being tied for second with two players listed (Alabama, Arizona, Boston College, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah).

There are also two players uncommitted.

And if winners come from having great talent it will be no surprise that the So Cal A’s-Bruce Richardson team has three players and the A’s organization overall has five as does the Firecrackers with two each from teams led by Jeff Blanco and Tony Rico.

It will be fun to see how the rest of the Hot 100 pans out next week… stay tuned!

*****

PLAYER PROFILE: CHARDONNAY HARRIS-LEARK

Yesterday, we told you about Chardonnay’s verbal to Auburn and got rave reviews from her Lemont Rockers club coach Chris Naujokas. Today we go right to the source to learn more about this future SEC pitcher…

Grad Year: 2017
Pos: pitcher/first baseman
High School: Oak Park and River Forest (Oak Park, Ill.)
GPA: 3.4
Club: Lemont Rockers (Ill.)
College: Auburn

 

***

 

StudentSportsSoftball.com: You play basketball as well as softball… do you think the two sports complement each other? What would you say are the main similarities and differences between the two in your opinion?
Chardonnay Harris-Leark: Basketball is at a faster pace, but I use many softball skills (speed, movement, etc.). I also am always the in-bounder with a few seconds left because I can throw it the length of the court.

 

SSS.com: You throw a variety of pitches… tell us what you throw?
CH-L: I have two types of fastballs, a change-up, curveball, screw, riseball and drop curve—my teammates and coaches call it the “Frisbee.”

 

SSS.com: You have a cool nickname… recap how and why you’ve become known as “The Octopus.” 
CH-L: I’m one of the taller ones on my team and sometimes the say i snag balls only an octupus with 8 arms would get.

 

SSS.com: How did Auburn first find you and how long was it from time they saw you to the official offer? 
CH-L: I’ve been attending the ASU camps with Coach Myers and his staff since seventh grade.  I always saw myself playing for him and since he went to Auburn, It was a perfect fit.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision? 
CH-L: This winter.  The campus, the coaching staff, the very family oriented environment, plus the other girls are pretty cool too.

 

SSS.com: Where were you when you committed?
CH-L: In a golf cart!

 

SSS.com: What did they say they liked about and where do they see you playing… and will you hit also? 
CH-L: I will pitch and do whatever is asked as we try to bring a National Championship to Auburn.

 

SSS.com: Was distance a factor in your decision at all? 
CH-L: Yes, but It’ll make me appreciate everything back home more!

 

SSS.com: You’re only a freshman… did you check other schools and was there any hesitation in committing at this point? 
CH-L: I looked at a number of other schools including SEC schools, Pac 12, etc.  Thre was no hesitation, plus my high school colors are orange and blue!

 

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career? 
CH-L: Beating the OC Batbusters 2-1 at 12U Nationals in Montgomery, Ala and pitching the entire game while getting two of our three hits and scoring both runs including the winning run after my teammate Karah hit a groundball off of first base.

Quick Hitters

 

What do you think of high school so far?
It’s been fun.

Fill in the blank… When I step on the field: ________________
I run to my position.

If you were the President of the United States, what’s the first problem you’d work on solving? 
World Hunger.

Favorite Singer:
Justin Bieber.

Favorite movies:
Wedding Crashers, Mulan

Least favorite thing to do:
Pull ups.

Favorite ice cream and/or topping:
Chocolate Peanut Butter.

What’s the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Yesterday in the car with my friends!

Are you a pet kind of girl?
No!

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I’m really good at painting my nails with both hands!

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Nice.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be? 
My phone.

What’s the main thing you want to accomplish in 2014 in your life?
Honor Roll.

If you could change places with one person for a day, who would it be and why? 
Beyonce. She can sing, dance, she’s pretty and the money would be nice too.

 

 

*****

RECRUIT SPOTLIGHTS:  

Name: ANALYSE PETREE
High school: Apopka
City: Apopka
State: 
Fla.
Grad year: 2015
Club: Windermere Wildfire-Stutsman
Height: 5-7
Position: shortstop
Stats:

high school combined freshman & soph. years:

• .506 average
• 78 hits
• 57 RBI
• 22 doubles
• seven triples
• 52 runs
• 22-for-22 on steals
• seven errors in 167 chances at shortstop

club:

• hit over .500 as SS for Wildfire team that placed 33rd at 2013 ASA Nationals in CA

College: Alabama-Birmingham
Other Offers: several!
Why UAB: “They’re a top 20 nationally-ranked program with a top-notch coaching staff. They really showed their interest in my abilities by being at every tourney, no matter where!”

 

***

 

Name:  SARAH ROBERTSON

High school: Jr. Arnold
City: Panama City Beach
State: 
Fla.
Grad year: 2015
Club: Team North Florida (2014)/ Florida Select (2013)
Height: 5-7
Position(s):  catcher/shortstop

Stats:

• Florida Select .435 batting average and .500 OBP led team
• 2013 high school:  .469 BA, .541 OBP (led team fresh and soph, years)
• two-time All-County First Team
• two-time Miracle Sports All-State 5-A, 1st Team (freshman), Honorable Mention (soph.)
• FACA All-State 1st Team (soph.)
• team finished 5th in state fresh Yr, led team in batting average

College: Liberty
Why Liberty: “When I was first told by my coach Jennie Ritter (Michigan 2005) that Liberty University was interested in me, she also added that Dr. Dot Richardson was just named the Head Coach. So immediately, I was attracted to that! What an honor to play for a two-time Olympian who’s just an awesome role model for girls softball!

After my visit and a camp there, the atmosphere all the way around was warm and inviting. The coaches were awesome, the team was super friendly, and the campus was beautiful… not to mention they are building a brand new softball stadium!

I told my parents that I could see myself playing softball and going to school here and wanted to be part of Dr. Dot’s plan to make a great program greater. It totally felt right, the whole package. It was a feeling that I didn’t have at the other schools I visited. I am living most girl’s dreams—I played travel ball for Jennie Ritter and now I get to play college ball for Dr. Dot! So happy with my choice!”

 

*****

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Danielle Stosuy-Henderson, a 2014 pitcher with the So Cal Rebels, has signed with Dordt College in Iowa.

Danielle has over 400 career strikeouts and had eight shutouts last year with a 1.35 ERA while striking out 180 batters.  She’s a three-time all-league selection.

Dordt College is located in Sioux City and is a Christian college that plays in the NAIA.

Still, how does a Southern California girl—Danielle attends Bloomington Christian High in Rialto, Calif.—turn down Biola University (La Mirada, Calif.) to head to the Midwest?

“You know, I asked myself that same question,” laughs her mother Kathleen Stosuy.  “When she made a visit to the school in her junior year I expected her to get off the plane and go, ‘Oh no!”  Especially since she already had the offer from Biola.

“But, she fell in love with the school.  She was more excited about the academic program there than playing softball.  I think the combination of really liking the academic program, the campus, and getting a scholarship offer from Dordt is why I’m going to be buying lots of winter wear for her.”

 

*** More verbals:

— C Sarah Kosmata (2016, Tulsa)… plays for the California Comets
— OF Sydney Pollock  (2015, Southern Miss… plays for the Windermere Wildfire-Pollock

*****

EVENT NEWS: NPF DRAFT DETAILS ANNOUNCED

***Here’s the content of a press release sent to StudentSportsSoftball.com today…

The National Pro Fastpitch announced today the 2014 College Draft will take place on March 31 in Nashville. For the second year in a row, the NPF College Draft will be held at the Ford Theatre located inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Legendary superstar Cat Osterman of the USSSA Pride will be on hand to mingle with fans and watch the Draft unfold in person.

“Spring is an anticipation time of year for the NPF and that all starts with draft night,” commented NPF Commissioner, Cheri Kempf. “The NPF Draft has become an event that college players and their respective coaches and teams look forward to, along with our own NPF teams and fans.”

The NPF College Draft in 2014 is again presented by BOWNET.

“BOWNET is a company that understands the importance of softball at the professional level and is committed to helping spread the excitement of NPF,” said Commissioner Kempf. “We are proud of our continued relationship with BOWNET and for their commitment to the NPF College Draft.”

The NPF College Draft by BOWNET will feature five rounds of four selections for a total of 20 overall draftees in the 2014 rookie class. Drafting an athlete gives an NPF affiliate team the rights to that athlete for two full seasons.

Since 2010, the #1 draft pick has come out of the Southeastern Conference. Last year’s first choice overall went to the Akron Racers who selected Rachel Fico. Fico was the second consecutive number 1 selection for LSU with Brittany Mack as the number 1 pick for the USSSA Pride in 2012.

The newest team to the NPF, the Pennsylvania Rebellion, will make the first overall selection in 2014. With their entrance into the league, the Rebellion inherit the roster and draft position of the NY/NJ Comets, a team that was unable to secure a consistent venue for the 2014 season.

The continuing order will be based on team finishes from the 2013 regular season competition. Exceptions and changes in the order can occur with trade agreements.

The first, third, and fifth rounds will retain the order of last year’s regular season finish from last to first, Pennsylvania Rebellion, Akron Racers, USSSA Pride, and Chicago Bandits. The second and fourth rounds will reverse the draft order, making the selections go from Chicago to Pennsylvania in order.

Broadcast plans for the 2014 Draft are not yet finalized and are expected to be announced soon. Fans will also be able to follow along with the event through league and teams Facebook and Twitter sites.

The 2014 Draft order currently is positioned as follows:

1. Pennsylvania Rebellion
2. USSSA Pride (April 2013 Trade – Akron Racers)
3. USSSA Pride
4. Chicago Bandits
5. Chicago Bandits
6. USSSA Pride
7. Akron Racers
8. Pennsylvania Rebellion
9. Pennsylvania Rebellion
10. Akron Racers
11. USSSA Pride
12. Chicago Bandits
13. Chicago Bandits
14. USSSA Pride
15. Akron Racers
16. Pennsylvania Rebellion
17. Pennsylvania Rebellion
18. Akron Racers
19. USSSA Pride
20. Chicago Bandits

 

*****

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!

 

*****

 

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