Pictured (l-r): Kirby Taylor, Bradi Kooyman, Parker Conrad, Cayla Kessinger, Lexi Rampetsreiter and Gabby Garrison. Missing was Braxton Burnside who was at her high school homecoming.

It’s another Saturday of college football across the nation and that means that top 2016 softball recruits are also visiting campuses as part of their official visits.

Last month, the University of Missouri—which will sign a Top 20 class including three players in the FloSoftball 2016 Hot 100—brought in six of their seven prospects expected to sign this week (one couldn’t make the trip because of homecoming activities at her high school).

Here’s the official list of those who are committed to the SEC school with their positions and club team:

--- SS Braxton Burnside (Arkansas Heat)
--- P Parker Conrad (East Cobb Bullets-Schnute)
--- OF Gabby Garrison (Texas Magic)
--- IF/OF Cayla Kessinger (So Cal Choppers-Fausett)
--- IF/OF Taylor Kirby (St. Louis Esprit)
--- IF/UT Bradi Kooyman (California Grapettes)
--- OF Lexi Rampetstreiter (KC Zephyrs)

One of the Hot 100 players is Cayla Kessinger, who has had an outstanding fall and details the trip to Mizzou in this blog:

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Mizzou Homecoming Weekend… Felt Like I was Home...
by Cayla Kessinger

The University of Missouri, a university rich with tradition, is ranked in the top 10 of the Most Beautiful College Campuses and also has one of the top Journalism programs in the country.

Myself and all of my amazing future teammates and 2016 recruits started our official visit Friday morning on October 9th. at the MATC building on the campus. The MATC is a facility that was created just for student-athletes at MU. This facility has equipment rooms, an amazing dining hall, locker rooms, a weight room, coaches’ offices, trainers, nutritionist, a huge trophy case, plaques honoring past student-athletes and, most importantly a state-of the-art study hall with computer labs and tutor services for all of the student athletes.


There was plenty for us to do while on our visit. We met with the academic advisers, which allowed us to ask any questions or bring up any concerns we may have. After meeting with the academic advisers we moved on to meet in the coaches’ office where got sized for our uniforms and softball gear, which we will be getting when we start our journey next fall.

After the excitement of wearing a Mizzou uni for the first time, we were all ready to eat, so we met our parents in the dining hall and we had a nice brunch with the coaches and Mizzou softball players. At the end of brunch, we met with our hosts, whom we would be spending most of our time with for the weekend.

Later that evening, the softball team had a double header and all of the 2016 recruits that made the trip had the pleasure of sitting in the dugout during the games.

It was the best experience because it felt as if we were already part of the team!

After the game we had dinner with the team and went around campus taking in all the Homecoming events and traditions. An interesting fact about Mizzou is that it was the first school to ever invent homecoming, therefore every Tiger fan takes it seriously.

Even Mizzou alum Sheryl Crow put on a concert Friday night for Homecoming!

On Saturday morning all of the recruits got together and had breakfast at Dobs, which is just one on the many dining halls on campus.

The football game was scheduled to start at 6:30pm so needless to say we had plenty of time during the day to experience college football game tailgating on a Homecoming weekend.

We got to meet member of the baseball team, basketball team, soccer team and swim team. It was just as fun and exciting as I expected!

About an hour before the game we got our Pre-Game Field Access passes and went down to the field to enjoy the pre-game. The atmosphere in the stadium was truly amazing and being homecoming weekend for Missouri, the football game was sold out.

Unfortunately we lost to Florida, but the atmosphere was still amazing and it was definitely a night to remember.

We finished off the weekend with an early morning breakfast on Sunday with our family and coaches. It was such an amazing experience and I am so excited to be a part of the University of Missouri.