In about 48 hours—depending on where you live—Santa and his team will hit the runway and take off for an extending night of deliveries.  We hope everyone has a great Holiday week and gets some time off with loved ones and friends!  Til then, we have some softball news and notes to deliver of our own including an SEC-bound eighth grader staying near home and a Texas who moved from Calif. and decided the Big 12 is best…

 

*****

RECRUIT PROFILE: ALEXYS HASKINS

Grad Year: 2018
Pos: 2B/OF
Current school/future h.s.: Ezell Harding Christian School
Club: Tennessee Fury
College: Tennessee

***

StudentSportsSoftball.com: You’re one of only a handful of players nationwide to be offered—and commit—as an eighth grader… why commit at this point?
Alexys Haskins: It was just something I felt!  Tennessee has a lot to offer and they showed so much love.

 

SS.com: Tennessee recently got a commitment from another talented 2018 in Alyssa Shipman from California… have you met her or heard about Ally? 
AH: I have not met Alyssa but I’ve heard a lot of great things about her.  Ralph said that we were both special players.  I look forward to meeting and playing with her.

 

SS.com: Where and when did the Weeklys and the other coaches see you… and how long until they offered? 
AH: They saw me play in Fall of 2012 in Orlando and again in Summer ’13 in Chattanooga.  They made me an offer this fall.

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
AH: I decided to commit about six weeks after my visit.  The education will be second to none, the facility is an athlete’s dream and the fact that we share a common goal…to win many national championships!

 

SSS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
AH: I went for an unofficial visit and Ralph asked me if I would accept his offer to be a Lady Vol.  I said yes!

 

SSS.com: Describe what it’s like being from Tennessee and getting to play for not just the home state SEC school but also legendary coaches in the Weeklys?
AH: It is so exciting!  I mean, it is awesome.  I’m so pumped that I’m going to get to play for the best coaches in college softball.

 

SSS.com: How far away from home will be? Was distance a factor in your decision at all? 
AH: Knoxville is about 3 hours from home, so not too far.  Distance was not really a factor as I’ve visited and considered both UCLA and Michigan.  I love the fact that I will be close to home and my family and friends can support me.

SSS.com: What do you think makes you so good at this point that you got offered? 
AH: I work extremely hard and there have been a few mentors that have helped me get where I am today.  My hitting instructor, Andy Haines, has always told me to “dominate” and that second place is for other people.  I’m so pumped after my hitting sessions!

My athletic trainer, Kevin Klug, pushes me to the limit and emphasis to never be satisfied and always stay humble.

My friend and former UT softball player, India Chiles, keeps me sharp on my slapping game.  I refer to a poster she gave me five years ago as motivation.  My favorites are “Speed kills” and “Never settle.”  She also reminds me to always give 100% when playing, warming up and even practicing—you never know who is watching!  They, in my opinion, have helped make me what I am today.  They’ve had a huge impact not only in my life but on the ball field.

SSS.com: Describe what softball is to you and what you love about it? 
AH: Softball is just a way of life.  It’s challenging and something I look forward to doing every day.  I just love how competitive the game is.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What would you like to be when you’re done with playing softball? 
An athletic trainer with my own facility.

Fill in the blank… My favorite activity to relax is…
… working out.

Favorite TV show: 
Sports Center.

Favorite pro team (any sport): 
Washington Nationals… Bryce Harper!

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know? 
I’m crazy obsessed with Justin Timberlake and Bryce Harper!

What does Tennessee (the state) have that makes you proud to be from there?
Good ‘ole southern hospitality.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be? 
Food, of course!

Christmas is almost here, what’s your No. 1 gift request? 
Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt.

What’s your New Year’s “resolution” or No. 1 goal for 2014? 
To be PGF National Champs!

If you could have one super power, what would you want it to be?
Invisibility

*****

RECRUIT PROFILE: TUESDAY DERMARGOSIAN

Grad Year: 2016
Pos: OF
High School: Northwest High
City: Justin
State: Texas
GPA: 4.36
Club: Texas Glory – Adkins
Honors:  Scholar Athlete, Student of the Month, Honors Chemistry, Honors English
College: Texas
Other offers: Arizona, Washington
Why Texas? “I went to UT for a camp/unofficial visit. While I was there I toured the campus and attended a football game. I loved the Austin atmosphere. The coaches and players were amazing to watch on the field. I loved the team mojo. I’m originally from California where I played for Firecrackers Brashear and I felt that Austin was as close to California without leaving Texas. I know I didn’t want to leave Texas and visiting UT confirmed my decision to stay in Texas. My dad and brothers are HUGE USC fans and never in a million years did they think I would want to play ball at UT. My parents were very supportive of my decision and are excited that I decided to continue my education while playing softball at the University of Texas.”

 

*****

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Peyton Mills, a 2015 outfielder for the Southern Force Gold team in Texas, is headed to Harding University, a private liberal arts Christian university in Searcy, Ark. which is about an hour northeast of Little Rock.

Her father, Sean, tells us how the junior got recruited by the Bison coaches.

“Peyton initiated contact with Head Coach Phil Berry via email, inviting him to watch her play at the Ronald McDonald 18 Gold tournament in Houston this fall.”

“Coach Berry watched her play against the Texas Aces Express (a roster full of D1 commits) and identified Peyton as a possible recruit.  Peyton attended the Harding University softball camp in November and was invited back this last weekend for an unofficial visit and workout.”

“After the visit Coach Berry made her an offer to play at Harding, Peyton talked with family and prayed about the decision and decided today that Harding was her college choice.”

“Two major factors are the highly regarded Communication Science Disorder department—her intended major is Speech Pathology—and the Christian based community that envelops the university.”

“Peyton has garnered offers and interest from D1 schools, but feels that Harding and Coach Berry are building a very competitive program with D1 caliber players who want to compete for championships and attend a school with a Christian environment.”

 

*** Darby Bishop, the 2015 pitcher/third baseman with the OC Batbusters-Castenado (Miss.) team who we profiled last week in a Daily Update, has committed to Jackson State.

You may remember Darby was the player who hadn’t struck out in four years of varsity ball–over 350 at bats–and started playing travel ball in the seventh grade against girls five years older than her.

 

*** More verbals:

— Danyelle Espinosa, a 2016 catcher and third baseman for the Cal A’s, has committed to Biola.
— Hailey Jensen, a 2016 catcher who plays for the OC Batbusters Smith squad, has verballed to North Carolina.
— Katie Chappell, a 2015 IF for the Carolina Elite Team Mizuno program, has committed to College of Charleston
— Ashley Neal, a 2014 C/SS with the Lady Falcons, is headed to Jackson State
— Karla Beasley, a 2014 3B/P with the Angels Gold team, has committed to USC Upstate

 

*****

VIDEO: AROUND THE HORN AT THE SO CAL NATIONAL SKILLS CLINIC

We gathered several of the underclass standouts at the recent So Cal National Skills Clinic and asked them what they learned at the clinic, what they wanted for Christmas and what they loved about softball.

Here are their responses…

 

*****

 

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.