Oakville High School lost to Jefferson City High School in the Class 4 State Championships. Oakville could not get their bats going and the Jays capitalized on mistakes made by the Oakville squad.
 

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Shaylah Goodson is this week's player to watch. This class of 2010 star plays at Ninnekah High School in Okla.

Her junior year she batted an impressive .337 with an on-base percentage of .463.  In 86 at bats she recorded 40 runs scored and 25 RBIs.

Her high school pitcher quit that season and gave her a chance to  pitch, although she was not used to this position. Even with her inexperience, she was able to record an ERA of 2.45 with a record of 10-5.

Her freshman year she was named her team's Defensive Player of the Year and her sophomore year she was the team's MVP. She was unable to receive awards this past season because she has transferred schools (from Verden HS to Ninnekah).

Maybe more impressive, is that Goodson is an all-around athlete. She was her team's basketball MVP last season and was All-Conference since her freshman year.

Keep an eye on Goodson as she continues to tear up the fields this travel ball season!

Senior shortstop Gianna Duncan of Wheat Ridge High School (Colo.) hadn't hit the ball out of the infield in her previous at bats when she walked up to the plate with two on, two outs, down by one in the seventh inning. That wouldn't matter...she only needed one hit. She hit a double over the centerfielder's head on Saturday and sparked a five-run rally during the seventh inning as Wheat Ridge won its second consecutive Class 4A state softball title and fourth championship overall since 2002.

Elite Diamond Sports College Showcase-Plano , TX

Tulsa Elite Gold Results

Tulsa Elite 3, C C Panthers 0 (Two-hit shutout)
            Madison Thompson (2011) pitched the first three shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out five; then Julana Shrum (2012) closed the final inning allowing one hit and striking out three.  Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-two and stole one base, Taylor Woodall (OSU) was two-for-two with a homerun and a double, Cheyanne Stone (2012) was two-for-two with an RBI double.

Tulsa Elite 5, Houston Power 0 (One-hit shutout)
            Madison Thompson (2011) pitched the first two shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out two; then Julana Shrum (2012) closed the final inning allowing no hits and striking out two.  Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored two runs and stole three bases, Callie Parsons (OU) was two-for-three with a stolen base, Cheyanne Stone (2012) was two-for-two and scored a run, Jenna Reed (2012) was two-for-two and scored a run.

Tulsa Elite 0, Texas Eclipse 0
            This was a pitching duel that attracted a lot of coaches as Elite's uncommitted Madison Thompson (2011) and Eclipse's Morgan Hawkins (OSU) were very impressive. Hawkins pitched the first 4 1/3 innings allowing only two hits while striking out 11; Thompson tried to match her pace pitching the first five shutout innings for Elite allowing only one hit while striking out seven.

Tulsa Elite 3, Texas Heat 1 (Two-hitter)
            Julana Shrum (2012) pitched the first three innings for Elite allowing only two hits while striking out three and giving up one unearned run; then Madison Thompson (2011) closed the final two innings allowing no hits and striking out two.  Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored one run and stole two bases.

Tulsa Elite 3, Texas Sting 0 (Combined No-Hitter Shrum and Thompson)
            Julana Shrum (2012) pitched the first two no-hit innings for Elite allowing no hits while striking out three; then Madison Thompson (2011) closed the final three no-hit innings allowing no hits and striking out two.  Tiffany Roby (2011) was two-for-three scored one run and stole two bases.

Seventh inning, down by three.

The easy route is to give up, but Parkway Central High School out of  Chesterfield, Mo. never says die.

The count was 3-2 and Alyssa Waitz started the rally reaching first on a walk. From there, it escalated quickly. Ali Gorman followed with a hit and Tia Pennington drew a walk to load up the bases with no outs. Cassie Rupel, the team's pitcher, helped herself by knocking in the first run, closing the gap to 4-2. Lori Jones and Emily Greenstein followed with walks with the bases loaded to score two more for the Colts.

With the score tied 4-4, the Fort Zumwalt South pitcher, Lexy Moore, threw a wild pitch and Rupel scored from third to win the game for the Colts.

In the beginning of the inning, the Bulldog fans had been chanting "State! State! State!” as this was the last inning of the game that would lead them to playoffs. Their fans were silent and the Colts took over the cheering.

What's the moral of the story? Never quit!

If you enjoy rooting for the underdogs, you might have stumbled across Blanchard High School out of Blanchard, Okla.

The team faced adversity all season including having to give up three wins after playing an ineligible player for three games. After that, their coach was suspended for the season.

Regardless, the Lions fought.

They went into the state championship with 11 losses. What is more important is that they finished their season on a win. With only one senior on the field, the Blanchard Lions took out defending champion Tuttle High School to take the 4A title.

The Lions took advantage of a unsteady Tuttle squad and scored three runs on errors.

Leslie Miller, the winning pitcher, is only a sophomore but played with the experience of a senior. She struck out four of the last eight batters including the final batter. She had 11 strikeouts on the game.

*****

When the No.19 out of 32 Highlands Ranch High School (Littleton, Colo.) team set to face the No.3 Chapparral (Parker, Colo.) squad, most people thought it would be an easy win.

However, after the Falcons rallied to win five in a row to even qualify for districts, people should have known they would not go down without a fight.

The district final nail-biter was tied 3-3 in the ninth inning. Sid Guitierrez, the winning pitcher, knocked in the game-winning RBI and pushed her team into the state playoffs.

Oakville High School (St. Louis, Mo.) won three games in a row to make it to the semi-finals of the state championship taking place this weekend.

 In their quarterfinal game against Summit High School, Chloe Wolf hit a game-winning sixth-inning double to push Oakville 1-0 against Summit.

 Wolf had struck out her previous two at bats, but with two outs and one swing she made up for it.

*****

Oakville senior Maggie Ruckenbrod broke the high school career hits record for the state of Missouri on Friday. She had four hits in a 12-1 win over Hillsboro.

In the sixth inning she hit a double to centerfield and that hit tied her with the record at 181 hits. Her next at bat she hit another double and it pushed her over the current record.

Nicole Hudson of Webb City held the previous record set last year. Ruckenbrod becomes the fourth player to break the record in the last decade.

Season is winding down for the states that play in the fall. Below are some of the top players out of Colo. this 2009 season.

SENIORS

Shelby Babcock - Legacy High School - Committed to Univ. of Arizona

Albernice Drayton - Cherokee High School - Committed to the Univ. of North Carolina State

Chelsea O'Connor - Windsor High School - Committed to the Univ. of Tennessee

Molly Mullervy - Arapahoe High School

Aubrey Mable - Eaglecrest High School

Lindsey Boyd - Stanley Lake High School

Sami Springer - Cherry Creek High School

Stephanie Routzen - Wheat Ridge High School

Jenna Engel - Heritage High School

Rheana Trujillo - Canyon City High School

JUNIORS

Shae Rodriguez - Legacy High School

Shannon Lembeck - Mullen High School

Kam Smallwood - Mountain Vista High School

Melanie White - Rock Canyon High School

Mikayla Duffy - Grand Junction Central High School

Emily Jennings - Liberty High School

Nicole Hudson - Stanley Lake High School

Raya Johnson - Eaglecrest High School

Lindsey Schell - Mullen High School

Kelli Eastman - Mountain View

Mary Towner - Ralston Valley High School

Buggz Torrez - Legacy High School

SOPHOMORES

Elle Madsen - Wheat Ridge High School

Jessica Ball - Legacy High School

Gia Marquez - Mullen High School 

ESPN RISE takes a look at up and coming sophomore pitcher, Kelsey Schifferdecker. The Belton Lady Pirates took second in District this fall season and Kelsey put up some impressive numbers. She faced 569 batters in 2009 and struck out 254 of them. She allowed only three earned runs in 162 innings pitched. Her ERA was 0.13. Throughout the season there were several highlights including a 19-game winning streak, an 18-inning win, striking out 20 batters in one seven innings game, and recording 14 shutouts, five no hitters, and one perfect game.

Name: Kelsey Schifferdecker
Year: 2012
Position: Pitcher
HS: Belton Lady Pirates
Club team: Originals (Waterbury)

	Courtesy of the Schifferdecker family
	Kelsey Schifferdecker

Kelsey Schifferdecker: I was five and started playing t-ball on a summer league.

ER: What did you have to do and how did you train to stay in shape when you were younger? What do you do now? 

KS: When I was younger I also played basketball, volleyball and danced competitively. Now I follow the workout/conditioning routine from my club team.  I also have a pitching workout I follow 4-5 times weekly year round.

ER: What are some accomplishments you have had on the field so far, and what are your goals for the future?

KS: I've had multiple shutouts, no-hitters and a few perfect games pitching.  One thing I've enjoyed this year is the opportunity with my High School team to bat.  There were two games this year where I drove in the winning/tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

My future goals are to lead my high school team to the state playoffs and my club team to a national title.  After high school, my goal is to lead my college team to the World Series.

ER: What are some personal successes you have had on the field throughout your career, specifically this year?

KS: I set a goal to raise my strike out percentage by 10% this year on my high school team and achieved that by raising it from 28% to 45%.

ER: What is your favorite accomplishment or accomplishment you are most proud of?

KS: Receiving the Kansas City Star Player of the Week award.

ER: What is your favorite softball moment?

KS: Winning the District Title last year and taking third place in the 14A ASA Nationals in 2008.  Also the team bonding events with my club team throughout the year.

ER: What is your most embarrassing softball moment?

KS: Once when a girl hit a ball towards me, it sounded and appeared to be a line drive so I ducked, but it turned out to be a pop up and I looked stupid.

ER: Do you play any other sports? What sports?

KS: I quit my other activities two years ago to concentrate on softball as we play and practice year round.

ER: What made you choose softball over the other sports?

KS: It's a team sport and I realized I had a natural talent for pitching.  I enjoy the feeling I get when I'm on the mound.

ER: What are some other extracurricular activities that keep you busy off the field?

KS: I am in Student Council, Pep Club, A+, YouthFriends, Young Life and am active at church.

ER: Are there any academic accomplishments that you are especially proud of?

KS: I received an Academic Letter last year; receiving straight A's and am currently first in my class.  I also was selected to First Team All State Academic for softball.

ER: Where are you in the recruiting process?

KS: I am unable to be officially recruited until next year; however I am sending my profile and information to various colleges.

ER: What factors do you consider when looking at a college?

KS: I am interested in a college that will offer challenging and rewarding academics and provide the opportunity for playing time all four years.

ER: What has been the biggest obstacle you have overcome? 

KS: When I was younger, it was difficult for me to maintain focus and drive though the winter training.  My parents supported me and worked to come up with innovative ways to make training more fun.

ER: What do you like to do when not playing?

KS: Hang out with my friends, go shopping and go camping and boating.

ER: What was the most memorable game you have played this season? Why?

KS: When my high school team won the 18-inning game.  We beat one of the best teams in the area, stayed focused as a team and were able to work out of a few jams.  It helped build trust on our team because nobody gave up.

ER: You were playing well together in the post season, but fell short of a state title. How did the season end for the team?

KS: We finished second in our District.  While we enjoyed good pitching and defense, our offense struggled all year.  We won the semi-final game by 1 run in the bottom of the eighth, but lost the title game 0-1 in nine innings.

ER: What are your goals for the future?

KS: To continue to improve my skills and to find a college that fits my academic and athletic requirements.

Now I will start the sentence and you fill in the blank:

If I could have only one material possession on a deserted island it would be…

My cell phone.

Something most people don't know about me is…

That I can't swim under water without holding my nose.

Something unusual about myself is…

I can beat anyone in Wii tennis playing left handed.

A food you couldn't pay me to eat is…

 Raw fish

The best and worst movies ever are…

Best: A League of Their Own
Worst: Swing Vote

 The hardest I ever laughed was when…

When my friends made cookies and watched HS Musical 3 and it was so bad we just laughed the whole time.

The topical issue that most interests me in the world is…

Environmental issue such as finding alternative energy sources.

The best thing about softball is...

Striking someone out on a really good pitch.

If I could have one superhuman power it would be…

To be able to travel back in time.

 ESPN RISE Softball | Promote Your Page Too

 Sophomore Ashley Trent was the hero for Blanchard High School (Okla.) today after she hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 10^th inning. Her homerun, which cleared the left-centerfield fence put the Lions up 1-0 against Little Axe High School in the state quarterfinals. 

Trent told News OK Online, "I knew it was gone as soon as I hit it. 

Leslie Miller dominated the mound giving up only one hit and recording 16 Ks

Blanchard is now 25-11 and is picking up steam in the playoffs. They are looking to win their second title, their first was in 1983.

Belton Pirates pitcher Kelsey Schifferdecker, Belton, Mo.,  finished the regular season 17-1 with 1 save, throwing 13 shutouts, 5 no-hitters, and 1 perfect game. Her lone loss came in extra innings the first game of the year.

Schifferdecker faced 484 batters, striking out 220, with 8 walks and 39 hits. She allowed just 3 earned runs in 138 1/3 innings for an ERA of 0.15. At the plate, she collected 15 hits, knocking in 12 RBI's and scoring 8 runs.  The Lady Pirates are the undefeated Mid-Six conference champions, going 10-0 and winning all 10 games by shutting out their opponents.  Schifferdecker pitched 9 complete games of the 10. 


Schifferdecker was named the Kansas City Star Athlete of the week 10/2/2009 after pitching her Pirates to a 5-0 record that week. The week began and ended with marathon pitching performances. Against Liberty, Schifferdecker pitched all 18 innings in the 5-4 win. Schifferdecker capped her week in a doubleheader against Raytown South. In the first game, she threw eight shutout innings, and the next game she no-hit the Cardinals.

Schifferdecker is looking to take her team deep into the post season, and with the way she is throwing, look for the Pirates to keep plowing down opponents. 

 

The following is from the head coach of the Tennessee Fury 18U Gold, Jeremy Higdon. He and his wife, Jill, coach one of the premier club teams in the country. Below is his perspective on the fall versus spring debate.

Jill and I live in Tennessee and coach Ga. and Tenn. kids, have been to the last five Tenn. State Championship Tournaments as spectators, and also coached high school ball in Ga. for five years, winning a State Championship in 2004.

This depends on the weather in your state. It's one thing to play early-season, relatively meaningless, games in March when the weather can be pretty chilly and "not softball weather". It's entirely another to play the most meaningful games of your season, the postseason, in October or November, where in a majority of US states there is the real possibility of playing a game in the 30s or 40s.

The Georgia High School State Championship is played the last or next to last weekend in October in Columbus, Ga. (in the southern part of Ga.). The climate in Columbus is very mild and is not yet cold in October.

The Tennessee High School State Championship is played the last weekend in May in Murfreesboro where, depending on the year, you might get pleasant or balmy weather.

If Tennessee played in the Fall, they would play the last weekend in October. There is an exposure tournament hosted the last weekend of October in Murfreesboro every year. The last time our team played in that tournament, it was 31 degrees for an 8:30 AM game.

Is that a big deal for an exposure tournament? Not really.

Is it a big deal to play a State Championship game in that type weather when your pitchers can't feel their fingers and bats need to be kept warm?

Attendance by College Coaches at high school games has nothing to do with the time of year.
It's a good thought, but I think the wrong direction for most states.

What do you think? Emai: Garland@studentsports.com with your opinion!

At the high school level, softball is played in both the spring and the fall depending on the state. Below is an article that argues that fall is the best time to play softball.

Play softball in the fall!

What do you think?

 Do you think it is better to play softball in the fall or the spring? Why?

Email your vote to: Garland@studentsports.com 

Sierra Bronkey – P – Edmond Santa Fe High School (Edmond, Okla.)

Bronkey, an Arkansas recruit, dominated the Yukon Tournament after hitting a homerun and scoring her team's only two runs in a 2-0 win over 5A second-ranked Lawton MacArthur. She also allowed only one hit on the mound.