Big East

Connecticut:

Courtney Collins

Andrea Huelsenback

Madeline Schiappa

Audrey Grinnell

DePaul:

Kirsten Verdun

Megan Coronado

Hannah Penna

Allie Braden

Georgetown:

Jenna Stark

Allie Anttila

Louisville:

Caralisa Connell

Katie Keller

Maggie Ruckenbrod

Hannah Kiyohara

Taner Fowler

Notre Dame:

Chloe Saganowich

Laura Winter

Lauren Stuhr

Monica Torres

Pittsburgh:

Karlyn Jones

Providence:

Marie Flego

Morgan Culver

South Florida:

Kourtney Salvarola

Sara Nevins

Ashli Goff

Courtney Goff

Stephenie Medina

St. John's:

Jaclyn Reed

Michelle Tilson

Syracuse:

Kealy McMullen

Katelyn Pires

Jazmine Watson

Big South

Coastal Carolina:

 Beth Kassuhn

Gardner-Webb:

Christen Moon

Liberty:

Sammi Shivock

Alyssa DiMartino

Presbyterian:

Maggie Gilliland

Jennifer Marshall

Kaitlyn Sambito

Katie Seabrook

Codee Yeske

Radford:

Jessica Hutchens

Frankie Martinez

Samantha May

Winthrop:

Lauren Beaver

This Friday Rachele Fico, softball superstar, will be on ESPN2's First Take at 10:00am EST.

 Fico has thrown ten no-hitters in a row this season and 25 perfect games in her career. She broke the career perfect game record this year and the season isn't even over yet!

 Make sure and check it out!

By Garland Cooper

In light of Friday the 13th we decided to ask thousands of softball players what their superstitions were when they played.

Some listen to special songs, other refuse to wash their socks, and many will never step on the chalk lines. Whatever it is, softball players sure do have a little Friday the 13th in them with the superstitions they have confessed.

Every day for a warm-up we have to run in the same line, even for games too. During the warm-up everyone has the same throwing partner. For my pitching warm-up when we are nearing game time, my team will sit on the bench and everyone will grunt, like a yell, during mid-pitch, since it was a tradition that they started when I was a freshman. They do that three times each game, and a majority of the girls do not wash their uniforms, socks included in the non-washing.  There are many more superstitions but I would be here all day long listing them. Our dirty uniforms get quite disgusting, but that's all the fun.
-Whitney Tuthill, Stretchion Lady Stars, CT, 2009, P

Some superstitions I have when I play are: I found a penny on the day of a game and taped it to the bottom handle of my bat and that game I hit a homerun, so every time I find a penny on the floor I pick it up and if it's game day, I tape it to the bottom handle of my bat. I get in the batters box the same exact time every time and if I don't I get REALLY nervous. I wore the same socks three times once because they were all county games and we kept winning.
-Sarah Prezioso, New Jersey Pride, 2010, SS

Superstitions are a huge part of the game. Any softball player will tell you so. For me, there are a few MAJOR ones. Before every game, I listen to the song "The World's Greatest" by R. Kelly. It is a slower song, but very uplifting. During the national anthem, I close my eyes and visualize situations I could be put in during the game and see myself succeeding in each one. NEVER touch the white lines when running onto the field. When I play third, I have to toss the ball to the same person after warm-ups.
-Ashley Bragg, Newton Rock Gold, DE, 2009, SS

It is a must to ALWAYS warm up with the same partner! Don't change anything about your warm up if you're on a winning streak! Never wash your socks if you are on a hitting, pitching, or fielding streak! Never trust a mom who says they won't wash your socks. Never wash your visor if you're on a winning streak.
-Codee Yeske, White Knoll High School, SC, 2010, 2B

I have many superstitions when I play.  I wear the same wristband on my arm every game, eat the same lunch/breakfast every game day, and I listen to the same songs before every game.  I also use the exact same equipment every game.
-Liz Huttner, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, NJ, 2009

The superstitions that I have are: I ALWAYS keep is my first ring my dad ever gave me underneath my batting glove. If you ask me to take off my batting glove 100% of the time you will see it. If I don't have it on, I will play bad, end of story. Another superstition I have is that I NEVER EVER step on the chalk lines. If you step on it, that's PURE bad luck in softball, well in my eyes at least!!
-Candice Beards, Jersey Inferno Gold, NJ, 2010, 1B

Wow! Hmm this is a hard one. I can't wash my socks or uniform if I'm playing good. I always have to put the right sock on first and then the left one, same goes for my cleats. When I'm at the plate I always sing the same song in my head but I can't say the song because its confidential information.
-Megan Rollings, Marysville-Pilchuck High School, WA, 2011, 2B

Every time I'm up to bat I have to rub my nine wrist bands hit my chest twice and point to the sky. I can't go to bat until then.
-Bethany Davis, East Jessamine High School, KY, 2011, 1B

I always have to have my autographed card of Natasha Watley in my left sock before I play and a wristband of any color on my left arm.
-Cyndil Matthew, Westfield High School, NJ, 2009, OF

As far as superstitions go, I prepare for the game like I play. I must always wear something pink because it is my power color. My side bangs must be braided up into a ponytail and right underneath my pony tail is a silver clip that I've had since the seventh grade.
-Demi Laney, Lake Howell High School, FL, 2010, P

My superstition is that when I begin a game, everything that I am wearing has to be the same the whole game and if I am chewing gum it has to stay in my mouth for the whole game no matter what. I also stand in the same spot in the dugout when I come back in from defense.
-Courtney Lollar, Satsuma High School, AL, 2009, OF
 

Email Garland@studentsports.com

By Garland Cooper

	ESPN RISE
	Tahla Wade had one of the best SPARQ Ratings of the weekend.

 Below are the final SPARQ scores from the Rising Stars Winter Showcase testing that took place Jan.2. The top ten overall SPARQ Ratings are listed below.

TOP OVERALL SPARQ RATINGS

McKenzie Woody-2010-OF-113.1
Tahla Wade- Lake County Freedom-IL-2011-OF-111.78
Kathryn Malcolm-CT Eliminators Red Donovan-CT-2011-INF-110.76
Logan White- Brantford Bobcats-Ont.,Can.-2010-INF-109.41
Erika Polidori-Brantford Bobcats-Ont.,Can.-2010-C-108.06
Jula Kastner- Vienna Stars 18 Gold-VA-2011-CF-102.24
Alex Smith- Florida Elite Gold-FL-2009-P-100.11
Carly Thea-Team Long Island Gold-NY-2011-OF-94.44
Melanie Ruderman- Team Long Island Gold-NY-2010-OF-92.88
Christie Wright-Stretchion Lady Stars-NC-2009-OF-92.82

For more information see SPARQTraining.com

 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

	ESPN RISE
	Tahla Wade was the fastest sprinter who SPARQ Tested this weekend.

This past weekend ESPN RISE was out SPARQ Testing faspitch athletes at the Rising Stars Winter Showcase in Davie, Fla. 

 If you are unfamiliar with SPARQ Testing, the event will consist of four athletic tests:
•    20-yard sprint
•    Agility shuttle
•    Vertical jump
•    Rotational Powerball throw

All the scores from the four tests are then totaled resulting in an overall SPARQ Rating. This is a numerical value of the athleticism of a female softball athlete.

This rating is a useful tool that can help players recognize their strengths and weaknesses in order to train and better prepare themselves for competition at the highest level. These values also can be valuable in the recruiting process as many colleges perform similar tests and might find such information helpful and appealing.

After testing over 160 athletes we were able to compile the top testers in each category. Below are the top testers from the 20 Yard Sprint.

20 YARD SPRINT
Tahla Wade - Lake County Freedom - IL - 2011 - OF - 2.89
McKenzie Woody - 2010 - OF - 2.90
Taylor Thomas - Lady Orioles 18U - MD- 2009 - OF - 3.00
Christie Wright -  Stretchion Lady Stars - NC - 2009 - OF - 3.00
Emily Carosone - Hatters Gold - FL - 2012 - SS - 3.00
Brittany Sutton - CT Eliminators Red Donovan - CT - 2011 - P - 3.02
Katie Zavodny - Midland Magic Gold - NC - 2010 - OF - 3.03
Shannon Lauret - Lake County Freedom - IL - 2011 - OF - 3.04
Logan White - Brantford Bobcats - Ont., Can. - 2010 - IF - 3.04
Rhydian Glass - CT Eliminators Red Donovan - CT - 2012 - P - 3.04
 

 For further information go to: www.SPARQTraining.com/Fastpitch.

Keep checking in for more top SPARQ Testers!

By Garland Cooper

LSU just missed the list, but they still will be a tough competitor with the addition of Rachele Fico and Lauren Houston.

Fico is a pitcher out of Conn. who can make any batter cringe. She helped her high school team and her club team to championships this past season, and she was named an EA Sports All-American for her efforts. In her three years at Masuk High School she has an 80-2 record with 1,387 Ks, 71 shutouts, 35 no-hitters, and 16 perfect games. As a junior she went a perfect 27-0 on the mound, which included 24 shutouts, 12 no-hitters, and seven perfect games. She tied the state record last season with 486 Ks in 195 innings pitched while only walking seven. She ended with a 0.07 ERA and opponents recorded a measly .036 batting average.

Houston will also add to the LSU battery. She is a catcher out of La. and also helped St. Thomas Moore High School to a state title.  She accumulated several post-season honors after batting .436 with two homeruns, ten doubles, and 22 RBI. She also was a wall behind the plate with a .987 fielding percentage and she threw out 11 of 13 runners on the base paths.

With the addition of these two athletes, LSU has strengthened and deepened their battery. Fico is a force on the mound and with Houston behind the plate, they will be a tough combo.

**ESPN RISE Softball will be running rankings weekly. Keep checking in for rankings of players, teams, and more!

Questions or comments? Email garland@studentsports.com.