PAC 10

Arizona:
Chelsea Suitos
Shelby Babcock

Arizona State:
Dallas Escobedo
Bailey Wigness
Mary Spiel
Alix Johnson

Cal:
Ashley Decker
Alex Robben
Arianna Erceg
Victoria Jones
LaRisa Jones

Oregon:
Courtney Ceo
Alexa Peterson

 

Oregon State:
Hannah Bouska
Isabelle Batayola

Stanford:
Michelle Prong
Danielle Miller
Caitlyn Pura
Corey Hanewich
Jamie Millwood

UCLA:

Kellie Fox
Jessica Hall
Talee Snow
Alyssa Tiumalu

 

Washington:
Whitney Jones
Kaitlin Inglesby
Marki Creger-Zier
Victoria Hayward

Who has the best recruiting class? Email garland@studentsports.com with your nomination!
 

By Garland Cooper

It is hard to imagine a more intense day of softball than day two, but the final day of competition did not disappoint.

In the end it was No. 1 ranked Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) High School who took the title, but not after several close games across the board. Below are the results from the final day of play.

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Sheldon High School takes it all in the finals Saturday night.

Championship Game: Sheldon 2 – Canyon 0
Jolene Henderson had 12 strikeouts in the game and gave up only two hits to shut out Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.) High School. She also was two for three at the plate with a double. Danielle Henderson was one for two. For Canyon, Briana Gwaltney was one for three with a triple. Cheyanne Tarango took the loss for Canyon. Sheldon finished the tournament undefeated and improved their record to 10-0.

Semifinal Game: Canyon 4 – Esperanza 3
Cheyanne Tarango took the win on the mound and did well offensively, getting a crucial hit to help Canyon take the lead. Briana Gwaltney had two RBIs and Taylor Van Acker hit a two-run double for the Comanches. For Esperanza (Esperanza, Calif.), Kristin Scharkey had a hit, stolen base, and scored a run. Nicole Schroder had an RBI and Kelsea Roth hit a solor homerun.

Semifinal Game: Sheldon 8 – Camarillo 0
Jolene Henderson pitched a no-hitter and was two for three at the plate and hit a double off the fence. Danielle Wiltz was one for three with a double and Lindsey Ziegenhirt was one for three with a homerun and two RBIs. Dejanee Moore was two for three with a double, Meme Moore was two for three and Alexis Cooper was one for three with a two-run homerun.

Third Place: Esperanza 4 – Camarillo 3
Kailyn Johnson hit a homerun for Esperanza. Kelsea Roth and Alexis Borden split time on the mound. Jennifer Manuel was in the circle for Camarillo.

Consolation Champion: Vista Murrieta 11 – St. Francis 2
It was a team effort at the plate for Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) in the win. For St. Francis (Honolulu, Hawaii), catcher Briana Tovio-Asato hit a two-run homerun in the top of the first inning.

Freedom 7 – Pleasant Grove 0
Hannah Williams was the winning pitcher for Freedom (Oakley, Calif.) and she recorded 14 Ks in her final game of the tournament.

El Modena 4 - Rodriguez 3
Haylie White took the win for El Modena (Orange, Calif.). For Rodriguez (Fairfield, Calif.), Andrinae White was two for three with a triple and two RBIs. Alexis Pickett was two for three with an RBI.

Norco 1 – El Toro 0
Teagan Gerhart had 13 strikeouts and gave up only two hits for Norco (Calif.). She also hit a homerun to win the game.

Carl Sandburg 3 – Sunnyslope 1
Morgan Biel went three for three with two singles, a double and an RBI for Carl Sandburg (Orland Park, Calif.).

Valencia 2 – Pacifica 1
Both teams scored a run in the first inning and the game came to a standstill until the sixth when Valencia pushed one across to seal the win.

Ayala 5 – Hart 4
Pitcher Jessica Hall picked up her third win of the season and went two for three at the plate. Nikki Chavez was two for three as well with two RBIs. Nani St. Germainwas one for three with two RBIs ad Natalie Martinez went two for three and scored two runs.

Sunrise Mountain 4 – West Orange 1
Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.) pitcher Dani Bonnet had two hits and eight strikeouts in the game. Destinee Deherrera went two for three with a double and a homerun.

Vista Murrieta 6 – Sunnyslope 0
Vista Murrieta started to warm up the bats in the last day of the tournament. They started early, scoring a run in the first inning. They rallied in the fourth to score two and then again in the fifth to plate 3.

Piedra Vista 2 – Simi Valley 3
Pitcher Jennifer Soria picked up her first win of the season for Simi Valley (Calif.). Third baseman Callie Grant had three clutch line drive catches to help on defense.

Carl Sandburg 2 – St. Francis 3
Carl Sandburg was up 2-1 until the fifth when St. Francis scored two to go ahead and take the win.

Pleasant Grove 4 – Rodriguez 2
Ally Carda pitched for Pleasant Grove and gave up only two hits and struck out 12. She also was one for two with a homerun. Kristen Willmon had a RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to tie up the game and Allison Kendrix hit a single to plate two runs and give Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) the lead. For Rodriguez, Kiara Garcia was one for four and Alexis Pickett was one for two.

Freedom 2 – El Modena 1
Hannah Williams had six Ks on the win. Susan Robertson squeezed in the sixth to tie the game. Katie Wood hit the game-winning double with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

El Toro 3 – Valencia 2
Emily Waters took the win on the mound for El Toro (lake Forest, Calif.). Lauren Chamberlain hit a walk-off homerun for El Toro and Brooke Bell was three for three and scored a run. Christy Roberts was two for three and also scored a run in the win.

Cienega 4 - Simi Valley 0
Cienega (Vail, Ariz.) scored all four of their runs in the first inning,  which proved to be enough to take the win. Amanda Oliveto took the loss on the mound.

Norco 4 - Pacifica 0
Teagan Gerhart  threw a no-hitter and was also three for three at the plate.

Hart 3 - Sunrise Mountain 2
This was a close one until the end. In the eighth inning, Hart (Newhall, Calif.) was able to push two to go ahead and take the win.

Chino 1 - Piedra Vista 0
One run in the third inning was all it took for Chino to take the win over Piedra Vista.

Ayala 5 – West Orange 1
Jessica Hall picked up her eighth win on the season and struck out six. She also doubled in a run in the fifth. Amy Ricciardi picked up an RBI on a squeeze in the third and doubled in a run in the fifth.

***********************

 

	Scott Kurtz for ESPN RISE
	Tournament MVP, Jolene Henderson.

2009 Faster to 1st All Tournament Team
Jolene Henderson – P - Sheldon High School - Tournament MVP
Danielle Henderson – 3B – Sheldon High School
Lindsey Ziegenhirt – C – Sheldon High School
Danielle Wiltz – CF – Sheldon High School
Dejanee Moore – 2B – Sheldon High School
Cheyanne Tarango – P – Canyon High School
Shannon Bustillos – C – Canyon High School
Taylor Van Acker – 1B – Canyon High School
Briana Gwaltney – SS – Canyon High School
Kailyn Johnson – 1B – Esperanza High School
Kristin Scharkey – CF – Esperanza High School
AC Borden – P – Esperanza High School
Jennifer Manuel – P – Camarillo High School
Sarah Shadinger – P – Camarillo High School
Hannah Williams – P – Freedom High School
Ally Carda – P – Pleasant Grove High School
Haylie Wagner – P – El Modena High School
Teanna Brooks – 3B – Rodriguez High School
Teagan Gerhart – P – Norco High School
Briana Tovio-Asato – C – St. Francis High School
Madison Shipman – SS – Valencia High School
Brooke Bell – OF – El Toro High School
Alexis Villamor – OF – Vista Murrieta High School

Faster to 1st W/L Records
Sheldon: 5-0
Canyon: 4-1
Esperanza: 4-1    
Camarillo: 3-2    
Freedom: 4-1
Pleasant Grove: 3-2
El Modena: 3-2
Rodriguez: 1-4
Norco:  4-1
Vista Murrieta:  3-2

Remaining W/L Records:
St Francis: 2-3
El Toro: 2-3        
Valencia: 3-2        
Pacifica: 2-3        
Ayala: 3-2    
Hart: 3-2    
West Orange:1-4        
Sunrise Mountain: 2-3
Carl Sandburg: 3-2  
Sunnyslope: 1-4
Cienega: 2-3  
Piedra Vista: 2-3
Chino: 1-4      
Simi Valley: 1-4   


Email: garland@studentsports.com with questions and comments!

By Garland Cooper

Day two of the Faster to 1st Tournament, hosted by Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.) High School followed the dramatic theme established on the opening day of the tournament.

Ten of the 16 games played were decided by one run and seven of the games went into extra innings. At the end of the day it is Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.), Sheldon (Sacremento, Calif.), Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.) and Camarillo (Calif.) in the semifinal games Saturday. Stay tuned and find out who takes the title!

Piedra Vista 2 – Rodriguez 1
Channel Ewing scored two runs, Aurelia Sandoval went two for two, and Marissa Ellis had two RBIs for Piedra Vista. Despite the loss, Rodriguez was tough at the plate. Teanna Brooks went 3-for-3 and Andriana Collins tallied the only RBI for the team. Kiara Garcia, Cheyenne Cordes, and Nia Cesar all had a hit in the game.

Camarillo 2 - Cienega 1 
This barnburner lasted eight innings. Freshman Sarah Shadinger took the win on the mound and, despite a great pitching performance, Alexa Cash was the losing pitcher for Cienega.

Freedom 3 - Carl Sandburg 1
There was no score until the eighth inning when both teams got on the board. Freedom's Hannah Williams had 11 Ks on the mound to lead the team defensively. Susan Robertson and Chrissy Stalf led the push on offense with RBI singles in extra innings to put Freedom (Oakley, Calif.) on top.

Sunrise Mountain 8 – Chino 2
Dani Bonnet was on the mound for Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.) and had six strikeouts on the game. She also performed at the plate with four hits. Mickayla Heller was 2-for-3 with four RBIs in the game.

Sunnyslope 1 - Piedra Vista 0
Nora Maschue took the win on the mound to shutout Piedra Vista (Farmington, N.M.). Demetra Hamill was perfect at the plate with a double for Sunnyslope (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Chelsea Yankolovich was two for four with a stolen base. Piedra Vista's Karista Donisthorpe was three for four in the leadoff spot.

	SCOTT KURTZ/ESPN RISE
	Lindsey Ziegenhirt is a big hitter for the Sheldon High School Huskies.

Carl Sandburg 4 - Cienega 3
In the eight-inning game, Emma Farrell went 3-for-4 with a walk and one run scored for Carl Sandburg (Orland Park, Ill.).

Vista Murrieta 4 – Chino 3
In the bottom of the seventh, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) played textbook softball to rally and defeated Chino (Calif.). Alexis Villamor led off with a double for the Broncos, bringing Sierra Romero to the plate. Romero laid down a bunt and Chino overthrew first base, scoring Villamor from second. With the game tied and Romero on second base, Taylor Edwards hit a shot to the shortstop, moving the runner to third. With two outs and the winning run at third base, big hitter Tatum Edwards shut the door with a hard groundball up the third baseline, scoring the final run and sealing the deal for the Broncos.

St. Francis 2 - Simi Valley 1
St. Francis (Honolulu, Hawaii) took their first win in the tournament in an eight-inning battle with Simi Valley (Calif.). All of the runs from both teams were scored in the final inning of the game.

Camarillo 1 - Freedom 0
Jennifer Manuel was the hero for Camarillo (Calif.), pitching all seven innings and driving in the only run in the first inning. Hannah Williams had 10 Ks in the loss and allowed no earned runs. Malena Padilla had two hits for Freedom (Oakley, Calif.).

Sheldon 4 – El Modeno 0
Jolene Henderson threw a no-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts for the Huskies. She also was 1-for-2 at the plate with a double. Lindsey Ziegenhirt remains solid in the lineup going 2-for-3 in the game with an RBI. Dejanee Moore also was two for three with an impressive three RBIs.

Norco 2 – Ayala 1
Teagan Gerhart was the star for Norco (Calif.) pitching all eight innings of the game, allowing only two hits, and striking out nine. She also drove in the winning run for the Cougars. Jessica Hall took the loss for Ayala (Chino Hills, Calif.).

Pacifica 1 – West Orange 0
In a tight game, pitcher Krystian Dewitt held strong, striking out 11 and allowing no earned runs for Pacifica (Garden Grove, Calif.). Cheyenne Mascarenas drove in the winning run in the eighth. For West Orange (Winter Garden, Fla.), Taylor Fawbush had 10 Ks in eight innings and allowed two hits. She also was 1-for-4 at the plate.

Esperanza 3 - Pleasant Grove 1
Alexis Borden was the winning pitcher for Esperanza (Anaheim, Calif.). At the plate, Vanessa Weaver had an RBI and speedster Jasmine Lee had two stolen bases and scored two runs.

Canyon 4 - Rodriguez 0
Cheyanne Tarango took the win for Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.) giving up only two hits and striking out 11. She also had an RBI double to score the first run of the game. Taylor Van Acker was 2-for-3. Andrinae White and Kiara Garcia were the only hits for Rodriguez (Fairfield, Calif.).

Valencia 4 – Sunrise Mountain 1
For Sunrise Mountain (Peoria, Ariz.), Brigette DelPonte was 3-for-4 with a double and a homerun.

Hart 3 – El Toro 2
Lauren Chamberlain tripled for El Toro (Lake Forest, Calif.) in the top of the seventh to tie up the game, 1-1. Emily Henry came the plate for Hart (Newhall, Calif.) in the bottom of the eighth and hit a two-run double to end the game.

 

By Garland Cooper

The Faster To 1st Tournament, hosted by Canyon (Anaheim, Calif.) High School, kicked off in Huntington Beach, Calif., Thursday. The opening day saw Canyon High's own Cheyanne Torango crack two homers and pitch a two-hitter.

Esperanza 2 – Sunrise Mountain 1
Chelsey Anderson was the winning pitcher for Esperanza. She went eight innings and gave up four hits. Kailynn Johnson hit a double to tie the game and then scored the winning run. Kelsea Roth went two for three.

Freedom 1 – Norco 0
Hannah Williams had ten strikeouts for Freedom and catcher Susan Robertson had the only two hits of the game. Malena Padilla laid down a crucial suicide squeeze to score Jackie Zepada from third. Despite the loss, Teagan Gerhart pitched a complete game for Norco, had 12 strikeouts and gave up only two hits.

	Scott Kurtz
	Cheyanne Tarango homered twice and picked up the win on the mound for Canyon.

Sheldon 3 – Pacifica 0
Jolene Henderson recorded 12 Ks, walked none, and allowed only one hit. Offensively, it was a team effort. Danille Wiltz went two for three with an RBI, Dejanee Moore and Amber Glenn went one for two, and Kristen Gray was one for two with an RBI. For Pacifica, Krystian Dewitt was the losing pitcher, but only gave up five hits and one earned run. Jamie Prussic was one for three.

Canyon 2 – Sunnyslope 1
Cheyanne Tarango took the win on the mound. She gave up two hits, walked none and struck out 13. Lauren Young was two for three with an RBI and Heather Kock was two for four. Nora Maschue fought hard and struck out nine in the game and Madison Collura contributed offensively going one for three with an RBI.

Pleasant Grove 3 - Vista Murrieta 1
Ally Carda took the win on the mound with 14 Ks and only two hits allowed. In the top of the fourth Kirsten Willmon squeezed to score Nicole Hutchins. Haley Willmon went two for three with a triple, and Nicole Hutchins was also two for three. Krystal Camina had an RBI single to give Pleasant Grove the lead for good.

Camarillo 1 – Ayala 0
For Camarillo, Jen Manuel had a double and an RBI. She also took the win on the mound. Mary Massei went two for three with a double in the fourth inning for Ayala.

El Modena 2 – West Orange 1
Haylie Wagner struck out a whopping twenty batters and gave up only two hits in nine innings for El Modena. Losing pitcher Taylor Fawbush struck out ten and gave up five hits. At the plate Fawbush had a double and an RBI.

Rodriguez 4 – Hart 1
Andriana Collins took the win on the mound for Rodriguez with seven Ks. Alexis Pickett went one for two with an RBI and Cheyenee Cordes was two for three with a double. Teanna Brooks went one for three with a double in the bottom of the first inning that scored two.

El Toro 3 – Sunnyslope 2
It was homerun derby for El Toro who had two hitters go yard in the game. Shannon Tinsley hit a two-run homerun in the fourth inning and MacKenzie Teskey hit a walk-off homerun in the seventh. Emily Waters was the winning pitcher for El Toro. Nora Maschue took the loss for Sunnyslope. Maschue did well at the plate going two for two with an RBI. Demetra Hamill was one for three with an RBI.

Pacifica 7 – Simi Valley 1
Kayla Anderson went three for four with an RBI for Pacifica. Taylor Cartwright singled in Simi's only run. Nicole Adair was two for three and scored Simi Valley's only run.

Valencia 2 – Vista Murrieta 1
Lauren Boser was two for two with two RBI for Valencia. Carly Mortenson took the win in the circle. Despite the loss, Tatum Edwards fanned 11.

St. Francis 7 – West Orange 0
Taylor Fawbush pitched the shutout and was two for four at the plate with two RBIs. Molly Billue was two for three with one RBI for West Orange. Koki Shealee had a double for St. Francis and Kelcee Santos had two stolen bases.

Esperanza 8 – Chino 1
Esperanza had a homerun in the first two innings. In the first, Kailyn Johnson hit a two-run bomb, and Kristin Scharkey hit a three-run dinger in the second inning.

Norco 1 – Carl Sandburg 0
This game was a pitcher's duel until the end. Both pitchers pitched a complete nine-inning game. Teagan Gerhart pitched a one-hitter and recorded and impressive 17 strikeouts in the win for Norco. Brittany Gardner gave up three hits and struck out 16.

Sheldon 2 – Simi Valley 0
Jolene Henderson gave up only one hit and fanned 13 in the win. Danielle Henderson was two for three with a double. Lindsey Ziegenhirt was two for three with a walk-off two-run homerun in the bottom of the seventh. Sophia Perez allowed two unearned runs for Simi Valley. Kelli-Jo Killingsworth had Simi's only hit.

Canyon 4 – El Toro 0
Cheyanne Tarango took the win on the circle with nine Ks and hit a two-run homerun in the first inning.

Pleasant Grove 4 – Valencia 3
Alyson Tiumalu hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth and was one for two in the game. Ally Carda was two for four with a triple and a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the eighth.

Hart 4 – Piedra Vista 1
Hart improved to 10-1 on the season. Destiny Rodino took the win on the mound. Despite the loss, Piedra Vista had some impressive offense. Channel Ewing hit a solo homerun in the top of the third. Ewing and Sheisha Yazzie were both two for three in the game.

Ayala 5 – Cienega 0
Jessica Hall took the win for Ayala and allowed only one hit. Nikki Chavez hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the third and Mary Massei hit a double in the bottom of the fourth.

El Modena 5 – St. Francis 3
Miranda Islas hit a solo homerun in the third inning for El Modena.

By Garland Cooper

With the Faster to 1st Tournament, hosted by Canyon (Calif.) Anaheim H.S., right around the corner, we will be highlighting some of the teams that will be playing in this year's event. Below are two teams that will be competing for the championship on March 28.

*****

Faster to 1st Team: Sunrise Mountain High School, Peoria, Ariz.

Head Coach: Nick Rizer

Assistant Coaches: Brian Woolsey, Mary Nevins, Amy Johnson

2008 Record: 34-2

Returning Starters (#): 6

Key returnees/transfers:
Jamie LaBovick, Brigette DelPonte, Mickayla Heller, Dani Bonnet, Destinee DeHererra, Taylor Rauscher

Key team accomplishments ('08):
Region Champs
Dorado Classic Champs
5A-II State Champs

Softball history highlights:
State Runner-up 2004
State Champs 2006
State Champs 2008

Team strengths: Strong pitching and hitting.

Faster to 1st team: Camarillo High School, Camarillo, Calif.

Head Coach: Jack Willard

Assistant Coaches: Brooke Lambert, Nichole Pineda, Beth Boskovich

2008 record: 21-10 overall, 8-2 league

Returning starters (#): 4

Key returnees/transfers:
Lindsey Helland (INF), Amanda Soedjadi (OF), Kristie Dederick (1B), Jennifer Manuel (P/1B), Chelsee Howard (INF), Ciara Becerril (P)

Key team accomplishments ('08):
Seventh straight league championship (Pacific View League)

Softball history highlights:
Every Camarillo shortstop from the year 1987 to the present has earned a Division I scholarship.

Famous alums (athletes and non-athletes):
Jessica Mendoza – Stanford/All-American/Olympian
Cambria Miranda – Oregon State/All-American

Team strengths:
"We have a lot of competition for spots all over the field. Our pitching should be solid.”
- Head Coach Jack Willard

Areas to improve:
"We need to prove we can hit quality pitching.”
- Head Coach Jack Willard

By Garland Cooper

	ESPN RISE
	Ashley Hansen seen here playing for the Firecrackers before becoming a college star.

College softball is now in full swing! That means that last year's high school seniors have made it to the season and are now freshmen playing in the big leagues.

One such freshman is Ashley Hansen who is now the shortstop for Stanford. She was last week's NFCA Player of the Week after batting .667 on the weekend. The Arizona native also had five extra-base hits including a three-run homerun.

She helped Stanford to a 4-0 record on the weekend and knocked in nine runs on the wins. She batted at least two for four in all four games and scored at least run one in each victory.

Hansen was an all-star in high school as well. She was the only high school athlete ever to be selected to try out for the National Team and was a member of the 2007 ASA National Championship team with the Worth Firecrackers. Last season she played with Corona del Sol high school.

A couple of other high school athletes turned college stars have been doing well in the start of this college season. These athletes are from top-ranked Univ. of Alabama and have made an impact right away.

After 25 at bats in the preseason, Jennifer Fenton is hitting .400 with an on-base percentage of .516. The outfielder is from Kennesaw, Ga. And attended Kennesaw Mountain High School. She was a three-time First Team All-State selection and was the 5A Player of the Year her senior season.

Her Alabama teammate, Cassie Reilly-Boccia is also a big deal for the Crimson Tide batting .367 with 11 RBI in only 30 at bats. She plays outfield and third base for the Tide. She is from Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and attended Yorktown high school. Last year she was the Gatorade New York Player of the Year and she was a two-time First Team All-State selection. Her senior year she batted an impressive .495 with 44 RBI.

These two are now playing on arguably the best softball squad in the nation and are making an impact against some of the best teams in the country.

From high school to college, these girls have made the transition easily!
 

By Garland Cooper

	ESPN RISE
	Future Wildcat Kenzie Fowler.

Canyon Del Oro (Tucson, Ariz.) has been towards the top for years. One of the big reasons that they have been so successful is because of their star pitcher, Kenzie Fowler.

Fowler comes back this season after a great junior year. She was the ESPN RISE/Gatorade National Player of the Year last year and finished the season with a 24-1 record, 0.28 ERA and 304 strikeouts. She threw 12 shutouts, four no-hitters and one prefect game en route to the state championship. Fowler also produced at the plate with a .448 batting average, 33 RBI and five homers. Needless to say, she will, once again, be a dominating force for the Canyon Del Oro team and their ticket to postseason.

On top of Fowler the Varsity squad at Canyon Del Oro returns Katie Asher who was a top performer for the team last year. She hit 14 homeruns, the most in the state in 2008 and she will be key in the Canyon Del Oro lineup. She has signed with Oklahoma State for the 2009-10 season.

Other players to watch on this year's team will be Lindsey Weldon, Kayla Henry and Taylor Watkins. With so many returnees and their history of success, this team will, once again, be one of the best teams in the nation. They know what it takes to win a championship and there is no reason why they won't get there again this year.
 

By Garland Cooper

	COURTESY OF THE WILSON FAMILY
	Wilson up to bat for the Firecrackers.

Hallie Wilson, a sophomore at Foothill High School in Tustin, Calif., has verbally committed to the University of Arizona.

Wilson, an all league outfielder who batted .419 with over 100 plate appearances her freshman year, will follow All-Americans Lauren Bauer, Autumn Champion, Courtney Fossatti and Olympian Caitlyn Lowe who were also Foothill High grads.

Wilson chose Arizona over several other schools for the opportunity to play for Head Coach Mike Candrea, an eight-time NCAA Division I champion and two-time Olympic Head Coach.

Wilson currently plays for the 18U Gold Worth Firecrackers under the supervision of Tony Rico
 

By Garland Cooper

Because high school softball season is upon us, ESPN RISE is reviewing some of our top teams from the 2008 FAB 50 National Rankings. We want to know who will be back towards the top and who might have a harder time repeating their success.

The No. 5 team was Sunrise Mountain High School out of Ariz. They won the 5S Div. II championship last year.

Pitcher Jamie LaBovick and shortstop Brigette DelPonte, who will be returning as seniors for the 2009 season, led the 2008 squad.

In the state championship game LaBovick threw a no-hitter on the mound and DelPonte hit a homerun and a double to lead the offense.

On the season DelPonte batted over .500 with nine homeruns, 12 doubles, and 39 RBI. LaBovick recorded a 0.55 ERA on the season to help Sunrise Mountain to a championship finish.

With this dynamic duo coming back for their final season, they will be out for another championship to finish off their impressive careers. If they perform as well as they have in the past, they should, once again, be recognized as one of the nation's best.
 

 By Garland Cooper

Below are the top powerball throw scores from SPARQ Testing at the Rising Stars Winter Showcase.

ROTATIONAL POWERBALL THROW

Kathryn Malcolm-CT Eliminators Red Donovan-CT-2011-INF-40
Toni MacReynolds-Newtown Rock 18U-VA-2010-C-39
Amber Donovan-CT Eliminators Red Donovan-CT-2011-C-38
Natalie Becker-AZ Roadrunners-AZ-2010-P-38
Logan White-Brantford Bobcats-Ont.,Can.-2010-INF-37
Erika Polidori-Brantford Bobcats-Ont., Can.-2010-C-37
Michelle Tilson-Vienna Stars 18U Gold-VA-2010-C-37
Alex Smith-Florida Elite Gold-FL-2009-P-36
Blaire Kelley-Hatters Gold-FL-2011-P-36
Hayden Bartlett-Georgia Impact White-GA-2011-C-35
Savanna Hennings-Birmingham Vipers-AL-2010-P-35
Brooke Red-Georgia Impact White-GA-2011-P-35
Emily Carosone-Hatters Gold-FL-2012-SS-35
Lauren McColgan-Vienna Stars 18 Gold-VA-2010-2B-35
Ashley Rollins-Vienna Stars 18 Gold-VA-2010-P-35
Abby Carpenter-Vienna Stars 18 Gold-VA-2011-3B-35

By Garland Cooper

	PHOTO CREDIT
	One SPARQ Tester prepares for the vertical jump.

Below are the top testers in the vertical jump from this past weekend's SPARQ Testing at the Rising Stars Winter Showcase. 

VERTICAL JUMP

Tahla Wade-Lake County Freedom-IL-2011-OF-26.3
Logan White-Brantford Bobcats-Ont., Can.-2010-INF-25.5
McKenzie Woody-2010-OF-24.8
Elaina Hempe-2009-OF-24.4
Kathryn Malcolm-CT Eliminators Red Donovan-CT-2011-INF-24.4
Kelsie Scott-Vienna Stars 18U Gold-VA-2010-OF-23.8
Christie Wright-Stretchion Lady Stars-NC-2009-OF-23.6
Stephanie Sobolewski-Plantation Pressure-FL-2013-C-23.4
Erin Satterfield-AZ Roadrunners-AZ-2012-INF-23.2
Chelsea Benjamin-2010-INF-23
 

More rankings and scores to come, stay tuned!

By Garland Cooper

2.    ASU WON THE WCWS
Arizona State took the title at the NCAA Women's College World Series as the six seed in the tournament. The team was led by pitcher Katie Burkhart and outfielder Caitlin Cochran. What was most impressive is that the team went undefeated throughout the tournament beating Alabama and Texas A&M twice, and UCLA once. ASU proved to be the best collegiate program in 2008.

3.    GOLD COAST HURRICANES WIN ASA NATIONALS
The Gold Coast Hurricanes became the first team from Fla. to take the ASA National crown. The Hurricanes were led by LSU-bound pitcher, Rachele Fico and Kelsey Horton was there rock at the plate. After defeating the Corona Angles in the final game, the Hurricanes became known as the best club team in the country in 2008.
 

Questions or comments? email: Garland@studentsports.com

By Garland Cooper

	ESPN RISE
	Oklahoma bound Kealani Ricketts.

1.    Kenzie Fowler - Arizona

2.    Kealani Ricketts - Oklahoma

3.    Jolene Henderson - Cal

4.    Rachele Fico - LSU

5.    Destiny Rodino - UCLA

Questions or comments? Email garland@studentsports.com

By Garland Cooper

**Over the past week ESPN RISE has highlighted the top signing classes in the nation. These classes were outlined after intensive research including consultation with club coaches, college coaches and ESPN affiliates.

Below is a final outline of the top early signing classes.


1. Oklahoma
Oklahoma makes the top spot after signing two pitchers, a righty and a lefty, and a catcher, adding depth and diversity to their battery. All three can hit also adding a punch at a plate.
2. Arizona
Arizona brings in one of the best pitchers in the nation along with some power and speed at the plate. They cover almost all aspects of the game with their signing class.
3. Cal
Cal brings in a pitcher-catcher combo that has worked together successfully for years. They also bring in a bat to help in the lineup.
4. Florida
Florida has a big class with five athletes. Three of the five have won a championship in the last two years. It is a diverse and talented class that will give Florida depth at the plate, on the field and on the mound.
5. Tennessee
The Lady Vols bring in a couple of pitchers that will add some depth as well as some speed on the base paths. With the hard outs in the lineup and some depth on the mound, Tennessee looks like a tough competitor.
6. Texas
The addition of two pitchers will give Texas some strength and depth on the mound. They also bring in two hitters to help put at the plate. Two pitchers and two hitters will really add some power to the Texas roster.
7. ASU
ASU brings in three of the best from Ariz. With the help of the these three ASU will bring in what  it needs to get back to the WCWS within the next few years.
8. Michigan
The Wolverines bring in an ace pitcher as well as a hitter and some speed. They have really covered all their bases with the class and will be tough to beat.
9. UCLA
They only signed two, but they are important additions. The pitcher and hitter they signed will go a long way to improve the Bruin roster.
10. Northwestern
The Wildcats bring in speed, pitching, and power to round out their 2009-2010 roster. This will be an important class for NU and adds a little bit of everything to help them on the field.

Honorable Mention: LSU
LSU has signed an important all-star pitcher and a catcher that will a huge addition to the lineup. With these two athletes they have created a tough combo on the field and a tough out at the plate.

Up-and-coming: Mississippi State
Mississippi State brings in two lefty pitchers and some force at the plate. This entire signing class is stacked with top athletes that will take the Bulldogs far into playoffs.

 

 By Garland Cooper

Mississippi State is a team to keep an eye on. Last year they ended their season at the NCAA Tempe Regional, but with the singing class they are bringing in, they might be able to push even farther into the playoffs.

They bring in pitcher Kyle Vry who plays for the Gold Coast Hurricanes, the team that won last year's ASA 18 Gold Nationals. She had a short two-year career at Des Moines High School (freshman and sophomore years), but she did manage to set a school record for most strikeouts in a game (19) in a seven-inning no-hitter. She recorded 378 Ks in 186 innings pitched and a 0.27 ERA in that same season.

Shelby Fisher will add some pop at the plate for the Bulldogs. The first baseman and outfielder out of Ariz., hit .411 with 28 RBI her junior high school season and she batted .414 with six homers and 33 RBI during club play.

Erin Nesbit is a shortstop from Miss. With her club team this summer she batted .387 with six homers, 34 RBI and 44 runs. During her senior high school season she batted .384 with 29 runs, 24 RBI, and two homers.

Jessica Cooley out of Ala. Has been an All-Area and All-State player and also has helped her Oak Mountain High School to two playoff appearances.

Stephanie Becker is a lefty pitcher from Ill. Who has accumulated 554 Ks throughout her career. Last season alone she had 200 strikeouts with a 0.78 ERA. In club play she was 18-8 and recorded 154 Ks.

With two lefty pitchers, and some additional force at the plate, Mississippi State has a chance to go farther into the playoffs, especially when these athletes gain some experience at the collegeiate level. The Bulldogs are this year's up-and-coming program.
 

By Garland Cooper

**The defending National Champions bring in three top recruits from Ariz. These athletes should help them make their way back to Oklahoma City.

7.  ASU
The defending National Champs bring in three top recruits out of Ariz. Among them is pitcher Mackenzie Popescue who will no doubt try and pick up some slack in the circle since the Sun Devils graduated their star Katie Burkhart. Popescue recorded a 0.63 ERA with only ten earned runs in 112 innings pitched. She also was an impressive .402 at the plate with 11 dingers. Athletes who also signed in November include Lucille Aubrecht (C/2B) and Samantha Parlich. (P/IF). Both of these athletes are top players out of Ariz. and will be tough outs at the plate.

**Keep checking in for more recruting class rankings!

Email: garland@studentsports.com with questions and comments.

 By Garland Cooper

** The next few days the top ten signing classes will be posted. Below are the first two of ten.

1. OKLAHOMA
OU gets the top spot because they bring in depth. They have signed two all-star pitchers: Michelle Gascoigne and Kealani Ricketts. Ricketts is a righty and Gascoigne is a lefty, providing diversity on the mound.They round out the battery with catcher and power hitter Jessica Shults. What also puts them at number one is the fact that both the pitchers can perform at the plate and with Shults they bring in three big bats.

2. ARIZONA
Arizona, once again, brings in am impressive class. They signed Kenzie Fowler, one of the best pitchers in the nation, and power-hitting Baillie Kirker who is on her way to breaking the Calif. state career homerun record. In addition to these two who will be huge contributors, the Wildcats have signed Bridgette DelPonte who batted over .500 this past season and helped her high school two their second Ariz. 5A State Championship. Lastly, Rebecca Tikey completes the class providing speed and agility on the base paths. Between these four, the Wildcats have really covered all their bases for the 2009-2010 season.
 

Stay tuned for 3-10 of the top signing classes!

By Garland Cooper

TEXAS

Four athletes have signed the NLIs to become a Longhorn. They are: Kimberly Bruins out of Redlands, Calif., Taylor Hoagland from Flower Mound, Texas, Blaire Luna out of Austin, Texas, and Torie Schmidt from Yorba Linda, Calif.

Bruins, a pitcher, plays for Redlands High School and the Calif. Cruisers. Last season she batted .412 and also dominated on the mound with 227 Ks.

Hoagland is a third baseman for Flower Mound High School and the Schutt Avengers Gold. She was an All-State player this past season.

Luna pitches for Bowie High School and the Round Rock Blaze. She boasts only three earned runs in 137 innings pitched, which helped her team to the class 5A state championship game.

Schmidt is s second baseman and outfielder for the Calif. Raiders and Valencia High School. Schmidt has helped to lead her high school team to two CIF championships.


KANSAS

Kansas has signed six athletes to round out their 2009-2010 roster. The players include: Kalum Haack out of Katy, Texas, Maggie and Rosie Hull from Lawrence, Kan., Mariah Montgomery from Ralston, Neb., Alex Jones out of Edin, Okla., and Kendall Patterson out of McLouth, Kan.

Haack is a shortstop for Katy High School. In 2007 Haack was the leader in hits, RBIs, total bases, doubles and runs scored in the whole Houston area. She has been All-District the past three seasons.

The Hull sisters play the outfield for Free State High School. Maggie was First Team All-State, All-Kansas City, and All-League in 2007. In 2006 Rosie was a Second Team All-League selection.

Jones pitches for Enid High School where she has been the MVP of her league the past two years and was the Offensive Player of the Year this past season. She recorded a 0.11 ERA with a .643 batting average. She was awarded All-State honors for her efforts.
 
Montgomery has been First Team All-State the past three seasons. In 2008 she hit ten triples, a state Class B record. She also broke the school record for homeruns with seven and for RBIs with 41. She ended the season with a .414 batting average.
 
Patterson catches for McLouth High School where she has been an All-State selection for three seasons. She hit 23 doubles in 23 games and had 17 RBIs and a.810 batting average.


OKLAHOMA STATE

The Cowgirls have signed four for their 2009-2010 campaign. The athletes include: Katie Asher out of Tucson, Ariz., Kat Espinosa from Houston, Texas, Amy Graham from Hominy, Okla., and Taylor Smith from Newcastle, Okla.

Asher plays third base for Canyon Del Oro High School. She was First Team All-State as a junior and has led her team to back-to-back state championships.

Espinosa is a righty hurler for Bellaire High School. In 2008 she went 20-8 on the mound with a 0.80 ERA and 291 Ks. For her efforts she was named the District MVP, First Team All-Greater Houston, and First Team All-District (third year running).

Graham plays infield and outfield for Hominy High School. She was an All-State selection this fall season and has been the MVP of the Varsity squad the past three season. Her impressive .667 batting average her sophomore year was a state leader as well as her 76 stolen bases.

Smith is a utility player for Newcastle High School. She was an All-State selection as a senior and was also the conference MVP.

MISSOURI

 Missouri has signed five to join them in 2009. They are: Rachel Hay out of Kansas City, Mo., Nicole Hudson from Webb City, Mo., Jenna Marston from St. Louis, Mo., Lindsey Muller from Stilwell, Kan., and Ashlie Oretga out of Brighton, Colo.

Hay plays for Oak Park High School and the Olathe Rockets. She was an All-District selection the past three years, and was All-Region for two years. In her high school career she has recorded an impressive .425 batting average. In 2008 alone she batted .470 with seven homeruns.

Hudson is a third baseman and outfielder for Webb City High School. She has been a First Team All-State selection since 2005 and holds several state records. She can be found in the record book under Career RBIs (185), Career Walks (77), and Career Homeruns (40).  Her career batting average is a whopping .593 and on the mound she has accumulated 73 wins and only eight losses throughout her time on the varsity squad. Her efforts helped her team to a State Championship in 2007.
 
Marston is a shortstop and utility player for Principia High School and the Mo. diamond Cats. She has been First Team All-League since 2005 and was First Team All-State in 2007 and Second Team All-State in 2008. She has over a .600 batting average the past three years of high school and recorded a .486 batting average in club play.

Muller is a utility player for Blue Valley High School and the Olathe Rockets. She was First Team All-League in 2007 and 2008 and batted .493 her senior year. In club play she was .413 at the plate this past season with nine homers.

Ortega is a shortstop and utility player for Erie High School and the Colo. Stampede. She was a member of the All-Colorado Team in 2008 and has a .431 career batting average. Her senior year she recorded a .576 slugging percentage, a .773 on-base percentage, and hit nine triples. Her efforts led her team to a 2008 Colo. State Championship.

GEORGIA

The Bulldogs bring five new players to their 2009-2010 squad. They are: Alison Owen out of Sharpsburg, Ga., Katie Rietkovich from South Guyton, Ga., Amberlie Saxton out of Jefferson, Ga., Sara Sikes from Douglasville, Ga., and Laura Trout from Summerville, S.C.

Owen is a pitcher and utility player for East Coweta High School and the Georgia Impact. Her senior year she dominated on the mound with a 12-6-1 record and a 0.65 ERA. For her efforts her team named her Pitcher of the Year. She also did well at the plate, leading her team in homeruns her senior year. She has been an All-County selection the past three seasons.

Rietkovich is an infielder for South Effingham High School and the Angles Gold. She holds several school records including single season batting average (.467), hits (46), doubles (16), homeruns (3), RBI (28), and stolen bases (20). She holds career records as well including batting average (.386), hits (151), doubles (37), homeruns (5), RBI (66) and stolen bases (56). She was First Team All-Region and First Team All-State for her efforts.

Saxton is an infielder for Mill Creek High School and the East Cobb Bullets Gold. She led her team to a State Championship this past fall season. Her team named her the Offensive Player of the Year for all four of her years on the varsity team. Three seasons she was an All-County selection and twice she was a First Team All-State selection and County Offensive Player of the Year.

Sikes is an outfielder for Chapel Hill High School and the Georgia Elite Gold. At the plate, Sikes recorded a .457 average with 30 doubles, five triples, two homers, 30 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. She was her team's Offensive Player of the Year as a senior and was the team MVP as a junior.

Trout is an infielder for Spartanburg Methodist College. She led her community college in batting average (.492), triples (9), homeruns (10), and RBI (33). She was an All-Region, and a NJCAA Second Team All-American.

NEBRASKA

The Huskers will bring five athletes to round out their 2009-2010 roster. They are: Gabby Banda out of Texas, Kylee Muir from Ore., Keela Scott from Mo., Megan Southworth from Neb., and Brooke Thomason out of Kan.
 
Banda is an infielder for Angleton High School and the Texas Sudden Impact Gold. She was First Team All-County and All-District this past season.

Muir is an infielder for Lincoln High School and the Northwest Bullets Gold. She has been All-State for three seasons and was Fist Team All-League for three seasons as well. She was league MVP in 2007.

Scott is an infielder for Liberty High School and the KC Zephyrs Gold. She was First Team All-District and Second Team All-Conference for the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Southworth is a catcher for Papillion LaVista High School and the Omaha Select. She led her high school team to a second place finish in the state championships this fall season after taking the title in 2006 and 2007. She was a two-time First Team All-State selection in 2007 and 2008. She put up impressive numbers her senior year batting .422 with 29 RBIs and 11 doubles.

Thomason is an outfielder for Blue Valley Northwest High School and the KC Peppers. She batted .470 in 2008 earning First Team All-Metro and All-League honors. She also recorded a .742 slugging percentage, .527 on-base percentage, nine doubles, three triples, 22 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.

**For more information, refer to each college's athletic website.

PURDUE

The Boilermakers have signed three athletes to play the 2009-10 season. They are: Maia Moncheck out of San Mateo, Calif., Julia Rice out of Oak Park, Calif., and Erika Petruzzi from Carmel, Ind.

Monchek plays the outfield for Notre Dame High School and the San Jose Sting Gold. She has been an All-League selection the past three years and led her team to a League Championship this past season.

Rice pitches for Oak Park High School and the Worth Firecrackers. She has been a three-time Daily News All-Area player, three-time team MVP and three-time All-League selection. She also was First Team All-County and Second Team All-State this past season. Rice holds several career records including perfect games, shutouts, no-hitters, one-hitters and strikeouts. In her career she has a 40-9 record with 28 earned runs in 339 innings pitched.

Petruzzi is a pitcher and outfielder for Carmel High School and Team Indiana Gold. This past season she was Second Team All-State after leading her team to a league championship. She batted .442 at the plate and recorded a 15-4 record on the mound. She also has been an All-League performer for the past two years.

MICHIGAN

Michigan brings three athletes to round out their 2009-2010 roster. They are: Amy Knapp out of St. Joseph, Mich., Ashley Lane out of Escondido, Calif., and Stephanie Speierman out of Columbia, Md.

Knapp has been All-Conference the past two seasons at Lakeshore High School and led her team in batting average for both years. She batted .450 with 10 triples and 18 RBI for 2008.

Lane was All-CIF and Second Team All-State this past season at Escondido High School. She batted .459 with 20 RBI and 25 runs scored. She has won three league championships and two state titles in 2006 and 2007. She also is the two-time team Offensive Player of the Year.

Speierman was an ESPN/Under Armour All-American after accumulating 354 Ks, nine no-hitters, one perfect game, and an 18-4 record in her junior season. She also performed at the plate with a .418 batting average.


MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans will bring in four for their 2009-2010 campaign. The athletes include: Kylene Hopkins out of Menifee, Calif., Jayme O'Bryant out of Buchanan, Mich., Jennifer Ramsaier out of Mesa, Ariz., and Shelby Wise out of Jonesboro, Ark.

Hopkins is an outfielder for the Corona Angels-Phil and Paloma Valley High School. She has been the team Offensive Player of the Year for two years as well as being named First Team All-County.

O'Bryant is a shortstop and third baseman from Buchanan High School and the Michiana Mystique. She batted .425 last season with 45 RBIs. She was an All-State, All-Region, All-district and All-League selection in 2008.

Ramsaier is a utility player for Mountain View High School and the Lil' Saints club team. She lettered in 2007 and 2008 with her high school team and helped them to a top ten finish as the starting shortstop.

Wise pitches for Nettleton High School and the Kansas City Xtreme. Last year she was dominant on the mound with only one loss and 29 wins and a 0.19 ERA. She also recorded 348 Ks in 185 innings and pitched eight no-hitters and four perfect games. At the plate she batted .319. This was enough to earn her All-Conference and All-State honors and she was named the Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year and an EA Sports Second Team All-American.


INDIANA

Five athletes will become Hoosiers for the 2009-2010 season. They are: Katherine Allert out of Lowell, Ind., Samantha Heyman out of El Segundo, Calif., Cassie Loweth from Columbus Ind., Breanne Saucedo out of Ontario, Calif., and Amanda Wagner from Burbank, Ill.

Allert suffered an injury and missed much of last season, but she has been on the Varsity squad for four years at Lowell High School. She started as a freshman and her sophomore year she was All-Conference and All-District after leading her team the state playoffs.

Heyman helped El Segundo High School to the CIF playoffs last season and earned First Team CIF Southern Calif. and First Team All-League honors. She also plays for the SoCal Pride club team.

Loweth has been an All-Conference selection the past four years for Columbus North High School.  She also was named the All-Area Player of the Year for her 2008 campaign, which consisted of a .526 batting average and a 0.84 EAR on the mound. For her efforts, she also was an All-State selection and the team MVP.

Saucedo was a Second Team All-League selection for her junior season at Chino High School. She also was her team's Offensive Player of the Year for this past season.

Wagner plays for Queen of Peace High School. She was All-Conference the past two seasons and helped lead her team to two regional championships.

NORTHWESTERN

Four athletes will play for the Wildcats in their 2009-2010 campaign. They are: Lauren Ackerman from St. Louis, Mo., Emily Allard out of Antioch, Calif., Meghan Lamberth from Wildwood, Mo., and Kristin Scharkey out of Yorba Linda, Calif.

Ackerman plays with the St. Louis Diamond Cats as a catcher and utility player. She has recorded at least a .450 average her past three years and hit 19 homeruns in a single season

Allard plays in the outfield for Deer Valley High School. The past three seasons she has been an All-Conference selection and her junior year she was named the MVP of the league as well as an ESPN/Under Armour All-American. In her 2008 campaign she recorded a .513 batting average and was perfect on the bases with 25 steals in 25 attempts.

Lamberth pitched for Lafayette High School where she rewrote the record books and now holds six pitching records and four batting records. She has been All-Conference and All-District the past three seasons and was an All-State and All-Region selection her last two years. As a senior she had a 0.54 ERA, 24 wins, and 242 Ks in 208 innings pitched. She also batted .416 at the plate.

Scharkey is an outfielder for Esperanza High School and the So Cal Explosion Gold. This past season she was First Team All-League, All-CIF, Second Team All-County, and was an All- State Underclass selection. She led her team to a league championship in 2008 with a .478 batting average and a league best 30 runs scored, and 27 steals.

PENN STATE

The Nittany Lions have signed five athletes to join the team for the 2009-2010 season. The athletes include: Cassidy Bell out of Bakersfield, Calif., Shannon Hutchinson from Sewell, N.J., Kailyn Johnson from Calif., Alyssa Renwick out of Laurens, S.C., and Lauren Yao from Los Angeles, Calif.

Bell is an outfielder from Liberty High School and also plays for the Orange County Batbusters. She was a CalHi Sports First Team All-State selection as well as a First Team All-Area and First Team All-Conference athlete.

Hutchinson has won two out of three conference championships with Washington Township High School as an outfielder. She led the team in total bases, on-base percentage, and runs scored. She started all four years of her Varsity career and has been a First Team All-Conference and All-County selection.

Johnson plays for Esperanza High School and has recorded a .370 batting average and a .516 average in league play. She has been All-League for two seasons and helped her high school to a league championship this past season.

Renwick plays in the infield and outfield and attends Clinton High School. She was Region III 3-A Player of the Year and All-State for her junior season.

Yao plays for Cantwell Sacred Heart High School and was Second Team All-CIF in 2007 and was the CIF Player of the Year in 2006. She has also won a scholar-athlete award for excelling in the classroom and on the field.

**For more information see each school's website.

By Garland Cooper

ALABAMA

Courtney Conley will be joining the Crimson Tide for the 2009-10 season. She is from St. Louis, Mo. and plays third and first for Eureka High School and the St. Louis Chaos.

She was named All-Conference, All-District, All-Region, All-Metro, and All-State last season. Conley also earned Under Armour All-American accolades and Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2007.

KENTUCKY

Kara Dill out of LaGrange, Ohio, and Alice O'Brien from Murfreesboro, Tenn. will join the Univ. of Kentucky.

Kara Dill plays shortstop and pitches for Keystone High School. Throughout her career, her high school team has won 81 games and lost only 14. She contributes to that impressive record on the mound with 11 wins and one loss. She has thrown 94 innings and recorded 139 Ks. At the plate, Dill has a career .550 batting average with 36 extra base hits.

Dill has earned All-Conference, All-Lorain County, All-Northeast District, and All-State honors since her freshman year at Keystone. She also holds school records with the highest career batting average, and single season hits.

Alice O'Brien plays infield and outfield for Riverdale High School and the Murfreesboro Firebirds.

Last season O'Brien batted .481 with 14 homeruns as leadoff for her high school team. She also recorded a .926 slugging percentage and a .600 on-base percentage. Her 14 dinkers were enough to solidify a school record in single season homeruns.

She has been an All-District player for her three years at Riverdale. This past season she was named the 7AAA Player of the Year and was an All-State selection. Her high school team elected her as the Most Valuable Player and the Position Player of the Year after her junior season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Mississippi State brings in five athletes from all over the country to round out their 2009-2010 roster. Stephanie Becker out of Aurora, Ill., Jessica Cooley from Birmingham, Ala., Shelby Fisher from Scottsdale, Ariz., Erin Nesbit out of Acworth, Ga., and Kylie Vry out of Des Moines, Iowa have signed to be a Bulldog.

Stephanie Becker is a lefty pitcher who pitches for West Aurora High School and the Orland Park Sparks.

She has been All-Conference and All-Area the past two years. Throughout her career she accumulated 554 strikeouts and a 43-17 record. Last season she recorded 200 Ks with a 0.78 ERA and a 14-8 record. In summer ball she was 18-8 with a 1.51 ERA and 154 strikeouts this past season.

Jessica Cooley is an outfielder and infielder for Oak Mountain High School and the travel team Skyhawks Express.

Last season she was an All-State and has been an All-Area selection since her start at Oak Mountain. Cooley also has helped her high school squad to playoffs two out of three seasons.

Shelby Fisher first base and outfield for Horizon High School and the Desert Thunder travel team.

She has been All-Region for three seasons and was All-State twice. Her junior season she hit .411 with 28 RBIs. With the Desert Thunder she batted .414 at the plate with six homers and 33 RBIs leading her team to ASA Gold Nationals.

Erin Nesbit plays shortstop for Harrison High School and the Atlanta Vipers Gold.

In this past fall season, Nesbit batted .384 with 29 runs scored, 24 RBIs and two homers. She was given the Harrison High School's Wendy's Heisman Award as the top female athlete in the school. She has been All-Region the past two seasons. With the Vipers she batted .387 this summer and had six homeruns, 34 RBIs, and 44 runs scored.

Kylie Vry is a lefty pitcher for Des Moines East High School and the Gold Coast Hurricanes.

In her short high school career, Vry managed to set a high school record for most strikeouts in a game with 19 Ks in a seven-inning no-hitter. She also was named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Elite Team All-State team in 2007. That same season she accrued 378 Ks in 186 innings pitched and recorded a 0.27 ERA. This summer she helped the Gold Coast Hurricanes to an ASA National Championship.

FLORIDA

The Univ. of Florida has signed five for the 2009-2010 season. The athletes include: Ensley Gammel out of Bakersfield, Calif., Samantha Holle from Tampa, Fla., Kelsey Horton from Valrico, Fla., Brittany Schutte out of Fountain Valley, Calif., and Brittany Walker from Tomball, Texas.

Ensley Gammel pitches and plays first base for Centennial High School and the Worth Firecrackers.

She has earned several postseason honors including earning All-League honors the past three seasons, and All-County honors twice. She was also Kern County Player of the Year in 2008 and was named ESPN Cal Hi Sports First Team All-State.

For the 2008 season she allowed only one earned run and was 25-3. She also recorded a 0.44 ERA with 258 Ks. At the plate she batted .359 with 28 RBIs and five homers.

Samantha Holle is an infielder for Chamberlain High School and the Gold Coast Hurricanes.

She was All-State and Hillsborough County Softball Player of the Year for the 2008 season. She also was given the team Hitting Award for 2008 after receiving a Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Award in past seasons. She also has been named a four-time All-American Scholar-Athlete.

Kelsey Horton is a catcher for Durant High School and the Gold Coast Hurricanes.

She was All-State, All-County, and All-Conference for the 2008 season. She has been All-Academic Athlete of the Year in 2007 and 2008 in softball and volleyball. For her high school squad she also has been named the Offensive Player of the Year two years running.

Brittany Schutte is a utility player for Mater Dei High School and the SoCal Athletics.
She was All-League and League MVP this past season. In 2007 she was named the Rookie of the Year and received All-League Honorable Mention honors.

Brittany Walker plays infield for Klein Oak High School and the Texas Eclipse Gold.

She has been All-District for two years and this past season was named First Team All-Greater Houston. This past season she batted a team-high .500.

TENNESSEE

Tennessee will bring in four girls to complete their 2009-2010 roster. The athletes include: Raven Chavanne out of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Lauren Gibson from Pasadena, Md., Melissa Brown from Valencia, Calif., and Ivy Renfroe out of Humboldt, Tenn.

Raven Chavanne plays outfield and third base for the OC Batbusters  Haning.

In 2007 she batted leadoff for the 16U OC Batbusters and was .583 at the plate, helping her team to a third place finish at ASA Nationals. She also is an outstanding track athlete for Newbury Park High School and holds records in several categories.

Lauren Gibson is a pitcher and utility player for Chesapeake High School and Team New Jersey.

Gibson was named ESPN RISE Magazine State Player of the Year, and she was an ESPN/Under Armour All-American in 2008. The past two years she has led her high school team to the 4A State Championship and threw no-hitters in both final games. For the past three seasons she has been All-Metro and All-County.

In 2008 she recorded 165 Ks in 120 innings pitched with a 17-2 record and a 1.23 ERA. She also contributed at the plate with a .500 average, 29 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, and 34 runs scored.

Melissa Brown is a middle-infielder for Hart High School and the SoCal Choppers.

This past season Brown was an All-League selection after leading her team to their second Foothill League Title since joining the squad. She batted .458 with 16 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 2008. She was named the Best Defensive Player on the Varsity squad for the past two years and also was the MVP her freshman year.

Ivy Renfroe pitches for Trinity Christian Academy and the Illinois Southern Force.

Since her start on the team she has more than 90 wins under her belt with an impressive 1,000+ Ks. She was a finalist for the Gatorade/RISE Magazine Tennessee Player of the Year and was an All-State selection as well as the District Most Valuable Player. This past season she went 20-4 on the mound with a 0.51 ERA and 261 Ks. That included eight no-hitters, and one perfect game. Renfroe also performed at the plate with a .396 average and 33 RBIs.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The Gamecocks have added two for their 2009-2010 campaign. The athletes are Briana Hamilton and Hannah Milks, both from S.C.

Briana Hamilton plays shortstop at Byrnes High School and the Georgia Knockouts. She was named the to All-State team in 2006 as well as being selected to the All-Region team in 2005 and 2006. She also was the Region II-4A Player of the Year in 2006. In 2005 she helped her high school to a 4A State Championship.

Hannah Milks plays for Wade Hampton High School and the Carolina Elite. She was an All-State selection this past season. She batted .568 and had 16 stolen bases on the year.

AUBURN

Auburn brings in two for the 2009-2010 season. Caitlin Schultze of N.J., and Kelsey Cartwright out of Nashville, Tenn. will complete the roster.

Caitlin Schultze hit .346 last season with two homers and 13 RBIs. She catches and was Fourth Team All-State last season.

Kelsey Cartwright plays for was .519 at the plate with an impressive 48 RBIs, 54 runs scored, 20 doubles, and 14 homeruns. Her 14 dinkers was a single-season high school record. Cartwright also was First Team All-State and a Gatorade/RISE Magazine Player of the Year nominee after leading Goodpasture High School team to an AA State Championship. For her career, she has batted .466 with 56 stolen bases, 58 doubles, 16 triples and another career school record of 32 homeruns.

OLE MISS

Ole Miss softball has signed three players for the 2009-2010 season. They are: Brittany Broome from Suwannee, Ga., Erinn Jayjohn out of Justin, Texas, and Kelly Nolan from Glendora, Calif.

Brittany Broome plays in the outfield for North Gwinnett High School and the East Cobb Bullets.

Last season she hit .374 with 38 runs scored and 38 stolen bases (a county record). She was named All-County for her efforts.

Erinn Jayjohn pitches and plays first base for Northwest High School and the Texas Elite.

She led her high school squad to a 5-5A District Championship with an impressive .487 average and 27 RBIs at the plate.

Kelly Nolan catches for Glendora High School and the SoCal Explosion.

She helped her high school team to the Division II CIF Finals. She was .380 at the plate for her high school team, contributing to her career .395 batting average. For the past three seasons she has been an All-League selection and this year she led her team to a League Championship.

By Garland Cooper

ARIZONA

Four athletes join the Arionza Wildcats for the 2009-10 season. Bridgette DelPonte (Ariz.), Kenzie Fowler (Ariz.), Baillie Kirker (Calif.), and Rebecca Tikey (Ariz.) will round out the Wilcat roster.

DelPonte plays the infield and catches for Sunrise Mountain High School. She batted .514 last season and recorded 39 RBI and nine homers while leading her team to their second 5A State Championship of her career.

Fowler has been the southern Arizona Player of the Year for two years in a row and has helped lead her team to two 4A State Championships. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year and an ESPY award finalist after a stellar junior season. She recorded a 0.28 ERA with 309 Ks in 148.2 innings.

Kirker has hit 37 homeruns in her high school career, eight short of the California career record. Last year she hit 18 dinkers and was named the D-III Player of the Year.

Tikey is an outfielder with a lot of speed on the base paths. Last season Tikey hit .425 with 12 doubles, 30 runs scored, and 33 RBI.


OREGON

Oregon has signed four athletes including: Allie Burger (Wash.), Jessica Moore (Calif.), Kaylan Howard (Calif.), and Samantha Pappas (Calif.).

Burger is an outfielder for Shadle Park High School and the WA LadyHawks club team. She was an All-State and All-League selection this past season.

Moore pitches for Sutter High School and the Sorcerer Gold club team. She was All-State and the Northern Section MVP last year, she also has been an All-League selection the past three years, and All-Section two years. In her junior season she had a 0.33 ERA and a 24-1 record and also hit .483 at the plate.

Howard plays middle-infield for Poly High School and the Corona Angels. She batted .302 last high school season and also led her club team to a second-place finish at ASA Nationals.

Pappas plays in the outfield for Tesoro High School and the SoCal A's. Last season she hit .435 for her club team prior to the National tournament.


UCLA

UCLA has signed pitcher Destiny Rodino to play the 2009-10 season as a Bruin. She plays for Hart High School and was the Co-Pitcher of the Year last year with a 24-5 record and 0.41 ERA. She was also All-League and All-State her junior season.


CAL

Cal softball had three athletes sign Letters of Intent. The players include: Jolene Henderson (Calif.), Lindsey Ziegenhirt (Calif.), and Jordan Wallace (Calif.).

Henderson is a pitcher who plays for Sheldon High School and Sorcerer club program. She was an ESPN/Under Armour All-American last season as well as an All-League and All-Metro selection. She put up impressive numbers last season with a 0.41 ERA and a .400 batting average.

Wallace plays for Fairfield High School and the Sorcerer club team. She was named All-League and All-State last season after batting .461 with 23 RBI, six homers, and 36 runs scored.

Ziegenhirt was named an All-American by ESPN/Under Armour and EA Sports in 2008. She was an All-League, All-State and All-District selection her junior season. She recorded 47 RBI on the year and batted .446 with 14 doubles and six homeruns.

By Garland Cooper

"I deal with pressure really well," states junior Shelby Babcock out of Colo. "I actually think I play better."

Well, she would have to perform well under pressure to attend a school like the Univ. of Ariz., which boasts eight National Championships. Babcock committed early this week to be a Wildcat for the 2010-11 season.

After a busy high school season and the hectic recruiting process, Babcock admits that she is happy to finally relax. "It feels amazing," she states, "It is a big relief."

To say Babcock had a busy high school season is an understatement. The junior pitcher led her Legacy High School team to their second consecutive state title. In the process, Babcock struck out 60 batters in four games, allowed only five hits, and threw a no-hitter in the semis. It's no wonder she felt like she would fit right in at Ariz.

	COURTESY OF THE BABCOCK FAMILY
	Two-time Colo. State Champion, Shelby Babcock.

"I loved everything about Arizona. It is such an amazing school and campus, and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to play for the former Olympic coach, Mike Candrea," Babcock explains. "It just felt like a good fit.

The junior started playing softball when she was seven and she was recognized for her outstanding ability at a young age.

Babcock was invited to try out for the Junior National Team when she was only 12 years old. "It was an amazing experience and I'm really proud that I was invited to the tryouts," Babcock remembers. At the tryout she was the second youngest athlete and the one of the fastest throwing pitchers.

Now, several years later, Babcock is still dominating on the mound. It was no surprise that she was heavily recruited by several top programs including Texas A&M, Baylor, Missouri, and Cal.

Babcock, however, is quick to give credit to the coaches that have helped her in her career. "My coach Joe Lembeck was instrumental in getting me exposed to a lot of great schools." She continues, "I have played for him for three seasons, going on my fourth. He is amazing!"

Lembeck wasn't the only coach to help mold Babcock into a championship pitcher; she also credits her pitching coach Jenny Lindstrom who she has worked with for six years. "I would not trade her for anything.  I have been very lucky to have had so many great people in my life!"

Babcock obviously values good coaching which makes it no surprise that it was a big factor in her decision-making process when choosing a college. "I was so impressed in Ariz. when I talked to Mike Candrea," she continues, "He was really confident. I was surprised and amazed at his confidence and it really opened my eyes."

After that, Babcock didn't waste much time committing to Candrea and the Wildcats. Right when she left the campus, she felt the urge to go back and announce her decision.

Really, it was no surprise to Babcock that she felt so strongly about attending Arizona. "It has been my dream school since I was a little girl. I have reached one of my dreams and that is an amazing feeling."

Now that her dreams have come true, Babcock will enjoy the rest of her high school career. However, that doesn't mean she will be slacking off. Babcock is set on winning a third state championship. "I think we have a good shot," she stated. "We are only losing one senior so we will have an experienced team."

In the meantime, she will look forward to playing at Ariz., the school that was a perfect fit for her in more ways than one. "You can play outside all year round, and it is always warm!" Babcock, a Colo. native, included. The coaching and campus was number one of course, but the weather was icing on the cake.

Speaking of icing on the cake, Babcock joins an always-impressive Ariz. squad and with two state titles already under her belt, Babcock will definitely be the icing on the cake for an already stellar collegiate program.

By Garland Cooper

Commitment News

Two girls from the Sorcerer Gold-Pete out of Calif. have committed to play at the next level:

JJ Wagoner has committed to the University of California at Davis.

Brooke Coloma has committed to the University of Pennsylvania.

Other commited Sorcerer players:

Larisa Jones - Cal

Shea Williams - Cal Poly

Player to watch: Kira White

Kira White plays for the Desert Thunder-Tony out of Tucson, Ariz.

She is a pitcher and first baseman and also plays for Sahuaro High School. She is on the Varsity squad and graduates in 2010.

Accomplishments:

2008
-Arizona State Runner-up
-1st Team State Arizona Republic
-1st Team Tucson Citizen
-1st Team Arizona Daily Star
-1st Team Kino Coaches

2007
-4A High School 1st Team - Southern Arizona Coaches All-Star Pick
-5A-1A High School 2nd Team Selection (Tucson Daily Star)
-5A-4A High School 2nd Team Selection (Tucson Citizen)