This is a different Daily Update as I had to report for jury duty this morning (we sat for most of the day and finally ALL were released—none of us were needed today!), but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot going on.  We have news of a big verbal in the SEC, profile a Louisiana player who tells us more about her verbal and reach deep into the archives to bring out our third and final blog from a superstar-in-the-making who had just decided where she’d go to college!

 

*****

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Brentt note: I became a fan of Kyra Lockhart, a freshman playing for Jersey Intensity, when I saw her play recently at a Surf City showcase and she lived up to her billing as one of the top sluggers in the country.  Even her foul balls were smashed.  She has been compared to Dorian Shaw, the former Michigan slugger, and having seen Dorian play for the Shamrocks at the same age I think it’s an apt description.

Today was a big day for Kyra—the day after we published her first blog yesterday (Wednesday)… here’s what she wrote this morning:

“Turns out University of Alabama saw my blog and really liked it! Thanks to you posting the article, Alabama offered me and I am now verballed.”

Now, I’m sure the Tide didn’t offer because of our posting Kyra’s blog—I think her amazing talents had a bit more to do with it—but happy that we could play a part in the process.

I asked Kyra what she pulled the trigger so fast and here’s what she responded with:

“My unofficial at the University of Alabama was one of those moments I could never forget. About a month ago the Alabama Coaching staff invited me down for a weekend. I was so excited and honored to be asked to visit such a prestigious school. Once I stepped on campus I knew it was for me. From the beautiful scenery to the OUTRAGEOUS school pride, I loved it.”

“Not only that, the coaching staff was second to none. They made me feel like I was family. Coach Murph, Coach Aly and Coach Steph were so insanely genuine. During the weekend of my visit it was Homecoming so there were many activities going on. Every night my family and I were occupied with a great event going on at the campus. However, my favorite was the pep rally/ bonfire. That was where I got a severe case of the warm and fuzzies! The treatment I got at Alabama made it an easy front runner in my list of schools.”

“Today, I was able to verbal to the amazing university and it feels like a dream. I am so incredibly thankful and blessed that I will be a member of the Crimson Tide. Ever since a young age I wanted to play for an SEC school and now I will have that chance. It just shows me how dreams do come true with dedication and persistence. Roll Tide!”

*** Thanks to a fan of Wichita State who closely follows the Shockers’ recruiting efforts and sent us the current list of verbals (some of which we don’t have, but will add to the list when we updated next):

2014’s
OF McKenzie Adams, Okla. (Diamond Girls)
OF Hunter Hogan, Kan. (Mac-N-Seitz )
C/3B Bailey Holt, Kan. (Renegades Gold)
P Kelsey Sterneker, Kan. (Renegades Gold)
3B/C Mackenzie Wright, Okla. (Exclusive Gold)

2015’s
SS Laurie Anne Derrico, Okla. (Force)
SS Kaylee Huecker, Mo. (St. Louis Chaos)
IF Mauri Jamele, Texas (Texas Glory- Shelton)
OF Aubree Spasic, Texas (Texas Glory- Adkins Allen)
IF Chastyn Spruill, Okla. (Force)

 

*** More verbals:

— 2014 outfielder Melaina Koulos of the Naperville Diamonds Matrix has committed to Northern Illinois. Melaina verbally committed on Monday, October 28 to the Huskies.
— Jessie Brown, a 2015 outfielder for Gold Coast Hurricanes-Cooper, has committed to Nova Southeastern
— Maddie Gott, a 2014 third baseman for Gold Coast Hurricanes-Norman, will attend Columbia

 

*****

RECRUIT PROFILE: TAYLOR SATCHELL

Pos: MIF/3rd/OF
Grad Year: 2015
Club Team: Wichita Mustangs
High School: Notre Dame High School Crowley, Louisiana
College: LSU

 ***

StudentSportsSoftball: You’re one of four on the Wichita Mustangs team who’ve committed to the Tigers, is that fun to play with so many future teammates?
Taylor Satchell: Yes! I enjoy playing with as many of my future teammates as I can because it gives me a chance to get to know them better on and off the field.

SSS.com: tell us about your softball background… when did you start playing and when did you first get the passion for the game necessary to excel?
TS: I actually started out playing baseball when I was six years old. I did not start playing fastpitch softball until I was eight. I always had a passion for the game but I really started taking the game and recruiting seriously when I joined Texas Impact Gold two years ago.

SSS.com: you can play short or the outfield… which do you prefer and how are playing the two areas (infield and outfield) similar and how are they different?
TS: I have played middle infield, third and outfield. Having played the majority of my life in the infield, I would pick infield everyday. When I was playing for Impact Gold we had a few injuries to our outfielders. We needed someone to step up to help team and I was able to fill that role.  The MIF and corner OF positions are similar to me because you have a lot of the same lateral movements and angles to cover when the ball is hit.

SSS.com: How did you come to be on the Wichita Mustangs?  It looks like a pretty decent haul to practice with the team… true? How does that work out?
TS: My former pitching coach has coached with Coach Mark (Griggs) for many years, so I have known about the organization for a while. I became a part of the Mustangs last summer when I was invited to play in PGF 16U Nationals. During the school year I do not attend practice because like you said it is a pretty far drive. When summer comes, I will move to Kansas with the rest of my teammates for the season. Once I am there practice is much easier to attend!

SSS.com: Recap for us how LSU came into the picture and offered.  Also, how long did it take after being offered did you commit?  Where were you when you make it official?
TS: LSU was always high on my list. I noticed the coaches at a few of my tournaments over the summer and fall after freshman year and into my sophomore year. After I went on my unofficial visit, I got back into the car and told my parents that LSU was the school I wanted to attend. The coaches were great and the campus was beautiful. As soon as Coach (Beth) Torina offered for me to be a Tiger, I said yes! At the time I was at a family gathering and was able to share the news with most of my family.

SSS.com: Has it sunk in yet that you’ll be playing SEC ball?  Is that exciting or a bit nerve-wracking knowing you’ll be playing with and against some of the top softball players in the country?
TS: Yes, I have realized that I will soon be playing in the SEC. When it first sunk in I can honestly say it was a bit nerve-wracking. Now that I am over all of the nerves, I find it exciting to know that I will be given a great opportunity to compete against and along side some of the top players in college softball.

SSS.com: Describe what softball means to you and why it’s become such an important part of your life…
TS: Softball is one of most important things in my life. It has become such a big part of my life because of my passion and love for the game. I enjoy the challenges that the game brings along with the friendships that come with it. The best part is all of the great things softball teaches you about life.

 

Quick Hitter:
Chocolate, strawberry or vanilla ice cream? Chocolate
Do you have any pets (if so, describe and tell names)? One dog, Yorkie named Maggie
What do you want to study and do for work after college? I plan to study Physical Therapy and one day become a Physical Therapist.
If you could have one super power, which one would you wish for? Invisibility! It would be fun to snoop on my friends!
What would you say was the best day of your life so far?  The day I committed!
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, name 3 things you’re thankful for: I am thankful for the support and guidance of my family. I am also blessed to have great friends that support me on this journey. I am also thankful for all of the things I have been able to experience through softball to this point in my life.
Looking ahead, what’s going to be the No. 1 gift request to Santa: I would say my number one gift would be to spend Christmas with my whole family.

Do you have any superstitions or rituals you follow around softball? I always pray before I play!

 

*****

THROWBACK THURSDAY: KEILANI RICKETTS’ BLOG (PART III)

Six years ago we had a promising young writer who blogged for us several times that fall by the name of Keilani Ricketts!

This is a fun look back at a time when a lot was happening in her high school and club softball world… just like the girls we write about today.

Enjoy reading what this future National Player of the Year had going on in her life back then…

***

Check out the Keilani Ricketts’ blog from Sept. 9, 2007 reprinted in this Daily Update (10.10.13)

Check out the Keilani Ricketts’ blog from Oct. 19, 2007 reprinted in this Daily Update (10.17.13)

 

***

Keilani’s blog from the San Jose circle (Dec. 18, 2007)

Publisher’s Note: Keilani Ricketts, younger sister of Oklahoma star Samantha Ricketts, is already considered one of the top prospects in the Class of 2009 at any position. She has been with the San Jose Sting organization for the past seven years and recently jumped to the Gold team after helping the 16-U team finish 17th at the Nationals in Sioux Falls, S.D. this summer.

Both Keilani and older sister, Stephanie, also pitch for Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., which went 27-1 last spring to win its section and finish No. 3 in the final StudentSportsSoftball.com FAB 50 rankings. Interesting, the only game Mitty lost was the first game, when the Ricketts sisters were still involved with the basketball team, which won the state championship!

Keilani, a CalHiSports.com 1st team all-state underclass pick, went 8-0 with a 0.70 ERA for Mitty and for the Sting 16-U team at Nationals went 5-1 with 76 Ks, five hits allowed and an ERA of 0.16 (only one earned run).

***

I haven’t been able to write in a while because I have had a very busy fall. With both basketball season starting up and fall ball ending in the beginning of November I was fortunate to have my coaches for both teams let me miss some days to take some visits to schools that I was being recruited by.

The schools I visited were Texas A&M, Ohio State University, Cal Berkeley, UCLA, University of Washington and University of Oklahoma. I had great visits at each of these schools. I met the most awesome coaches and players from the different teams and saw some really great schools. But I am happy to say that I have committed to be an Oklahoma Sooner!!!

My first trip to Oklahoma was this past summer when my sister Stephanie was in OKC for nationals so we were there anyways. I was able to tour the campus and meet the academic advisor, and I also was able to meet the head football coach, Bob Stoops. After a tour of the campus, Coach (Patty) Gasso made me the offer during our meeting with my parents and my sister Sam in the team clubhouse.

My second trip to Oklahoma was unexpected but the coaches at OU invited me on another trip to get the real “feel” of the school. My basketball team was having a scrimmage on that Saturday and I was nervous to ask my coach if I could miss it to go to Oklahoma, but she was more then happy to let me to go.

I flew back with my sister the day after Thanksgiving Day. During my first visit the campus was not very alive since it was in the summer. This time, I was able to see what Sooner Nation was really all about not just on game day, but on a state rivalry game day when OU played Oklahoma State. OU came out with a victory that sent them to the Big 12 championship game, which they also won!

The reason I chose Oklahoma was because I know it has everything I want in a school. When I was in my meeting with Coach Gasso on my second visit she asked me what things I would not like about going to Oklahoma and I honestly could not think of an answer. I told her there wasn’t anything that I disliked about Oklahoma not because I didn’t want to tell her, but because I really could not think of anything at all!

It would have been nice to stay closer to home for my family and friends to come watch me play, but I knew they would support me near or far, wherever I chose to go. I love the academic support OU athletes get as well as the family atmosphere that I felt while I was there. Having my older sister there did play a role as well in why I chose Oklahoma but whenever I had conversations with Sam she never would push me into choosing Oklahoma. I asked her just about every time I talked to her why she wouldn’t and she told me the same thing every time. She said because she knew it would not be fair and she wanted me to choose the school that was right for me and not just pick her school because it was right for her.

When narrowing down my choices it was a very stressful time for me because I felt that I wanted to go to about four different schools. I did not want to have any regrets and I kept thinking if I went anywhere else, I would regret not picking Oklahoma just because I love it way too much!

I know there have been lots of debates about early commitments and while I understand the arguments against it, I feel making a decision early was what I needed to do for myself. It was the best thing for me since I wouldn’t have been able to visit later in the year when high school ball and summer ball start up again. With so many people committing early, especially pitchers, I felt that by the time senior year rolled around when I could have taken official visits that my top schools would have already been done with recruiting pitchers in my class.

So now this week is finals week and after that- maybe a little time to relax and enjoy the family during the holidays. My sister Sam is home for a few weeks and my brother Richard will be home for only a few days. He has to go back and prepare for his last football game which is on New Years Eve. He plays for the Air Force Academy and they are playing in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (That’s a mouthful!) against Cal.

During this holiday time, I have a lot to be thankful for, my family and friends and all my travel ball coaches I’ve had along the way who helped me to achieve a dream.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday….

Keilani

*****

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.