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

*Below are the names of the athletes signed to schools in some of the conferences across the country. This list is a work in progress, so feel free to send additional signing information to garland@studentsports.com.

 

SEC

	Steve Johnson for ESPN RISE
	Ryan Iamurri, Univ. of Alabama signee, played in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game.

University of Alabama:
Kaila Hunt
Ryan Iamurri
Jackie Traina
Jordan Patterson

University of Arkansas:
Jayme Gee
Breanna Lynn Hutchinson
Macy Burr
Chloe Oprzedek
Amanda Geile
Jennifer Rambo
Clarissa Navarro

Auburn:
Hilary Mavromat
Alyssia Palomino

University of Florida:
Kasey Fagan
Cheyenne Cole

University of Georgia:
Morgan Montemayor
Julia Echols

University of Kentucky:
Lauren Cumbess
Ellen Weaver

LSU:
Kaley Coonce
Tammy Wray
Simone Heyward
Whitney Miller

Ole Miss:
Mallory McNeal
Natalie Nimmo
Rebecca Taylor Cantillo
Allison Brown

Tennessee:
Madison Shipman
Courtney Thomas
Ellen Renfroe
Melissa Davin
Tory Lewis
Chelsea O'Connor

Big 10

University of Illinois:
Jenna Mychko
Alex Booker
Jessica Perkins

University of Indiana:
Kristy Pasley
Shelby Gogreve

University of Iowa:
Kayla Massey
Katie Kroeger
Nikki Gentile
Brianna Luna

University of Michigan:
Lyndsay Doyle
Mandy Gardner
Caitlin Blanchard
Brandi Virgil
Nicole Sappingfield

Michigan State:
Cassee Layne
Sarah Bowling
Samantha Findling

Northwestern:
Samantha Albanese
Marisa Bast
Mari Majam

Ohio State:
Evelin Carillo
Leesa Gresham
Kasie Kelly
Melissa Rennie

Penn State:
Jordan Wheatley
Kasie Hatfield

Purdue:
Danielle Fletcher
Lindsey Raines
Laura Hurndon

University of Wisconsin:
Stephanie Peace
Mary Massei

Big 12

Baylor:
McKenzie Robinson
Chelsea Kovich
Shlebi Redfern
Claire Hosack

Iowa State:
Sara Rice
Breeana Holliday
Sara Davison
Evan Folks

University of Kansas:
Kendra Cullum
Ashley Newman
Elsa Moyer
Kristin Martinez
Laura Vickers
Collen Hohman

University of Nebraska:
Tatum Edwards
Taylor Edwards

University of Oklahoma:
Javen Henson
Destinee Martinez
Brittany Williams
Haley McGregor

Oklahoma State:
Tarrah Ettinger
Arianna Morrison
Morgan Hawkins

Texas:
Rachel Fox
Brejae Washington
Taylor Thom
Karina Scott
Mandy Ogle

Texas A&M:
Nicole Morgan
Amber Garza
Taran Tyler
Cassie Tysarczyk
Emily Albus

Texas Tech:
Kristin Martinez
Laura Ann Phillips
Brittany Talley
Kermitria Ward
Taylor Powell

 

*Stay tuned for updates on the list including signings from other conferences, information on the players and ESPN RISE Rankings of the best recruiting classes.

 

Who do you think has the best recruiting class? Email your answer to: garland@studentsports.com

 

 

ESPN RISE Softball | Promote Your Page Too

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

	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

	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

Below are the top testers from last weekend's Rising Stars Winter Showcase in the 20 yard shuttle:

20 YARD SHUTTLE
Carissa Throckmorton-Lady Orioles 18U Fisher-MD-2011-IF-4.50
McKenzie Woody-2010-OF-4.62
Lindsey Menezes-Miami Stingrays Black-FL-2012-P-4.63
Erika Polidori-Brantford Bobcats-Ont., Can.-2010-C-4.65
Jula Kastner-Vienna Stars 18 Gold-VA-2011-CF-4.65
Hailey Harris-Charlotte Cobras-NC-2010-P-4.66
Savanna Hennings-Birmingham Vipers Hays-AL-2010-P-4.69
Melanie Ruderman-Team Long Island Gold-NY-2010-OF-4.72
Stephanie Sobolewski-Plantation Pressure-FL-2013-C-4.72
Shannon Lauret-Lake County Freedom-IL-2011-OF-4.75
 

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

**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

**Northwestern acts as the caboose of the list with the tenth best recruiting class. A couple of girls from Mo. and a couple from Calif., they will add one top pitcher as well as some consitent bats and speed.

10. NORTHWESTERN
Northwestern rounds out the list with the tenth best signing class. They have signed some of the best athletes from their region as well as a couple of girls out of Calif. Emily Allard, out of Calif., is a speedster and was perfect on the base paths her junior season with 25 steals in 25 attempts. She also was an ESPN/Under Armour All-American after batting .513. Pitcher Meghan Lamberth, a Mo. native, rewrote her high school record books and now boasts six pitching records and four batting records. She recorded 242 Ks in 208 innings pitched her junior season and was .416 at the plate. Lauren Ackerman is also a Mo. native and batted .450 last season with 19 homers. Kristin Scharkey, out of Calif., batted .478 with a league-best 30 runs and 27 steals. She also will add speed to the line-up. With the sticks, the speed, and the strength on the mound, these freshmen will contribute greatly to the Wildcat roster.

 **Check back for honorable mentions and some more up-and-coming collegiate programs that have signed some impressive athletes!

Questions or comments please email: garland@studentsports.com

By Garland Cooper

	COURTESY OF THE CONNOLLY FAMILY
	Mary Kate Connolly.

Mary Kate Connolly is in the spotlight today. She is a pitcher out of Ill. Who plays for West Chicago Community High School and for the Stone City Sharks 18U Gold.

The 2011 graduate had a phenomenal freshman season in 2008 on the mound and at the plate. She pitched 202 innings and recorded 295 strikeouts, 23 wins, and a 0.66 ERA. At the plate she batted .360 with a .660 slugging percentage and eight homeruns. Her efforts helped her team to a regional championship and she was named All-Conference, All-Area, All-State Honorable Mention, and the DVC Player of the Year.

Connolly also led her club team to a first place finish at the NAFA 16U "A Nationals in Mustang, Okla. last season. Connolly pitched her team to the finals and then dominated the final game, allowing only one run to cross the plate.

A well-rounded student-athlete, Connolly also was a Scholar Athlete this past season. Look for her on the field this year at the 18U level as she continues to dominate on the mound and in the batter's box.

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.

Below are some recent additions to the early signing list out of Ill.

Stone City Sharks (Joliet, IL)
Kayleigh Bertram  - IF - Grand Valley State
Melissa Gunderson - IF/OF - Bethel College
Jhavon Hamilton - OF - Illinois State University
Nellie Kosola - OF - Grand Valley State
Coryn Schmidt - C/IF - University of Illinois (Chicago)
 

By Garland Cooper

Early signing day is only two days away! Below are some additions to the list of seniors that will be signing their Letters of Intent on Tuesday.

MD Wagner's Gold
Ashleigh Williams - P/3B - Bloomfield College (NJ)

Midland Magic (IL)
Sydney Shelton - Southern Illinois, Carbondale
Alex Pflieger - Western Illinois
Kelsey Michelini - Western Illinois
Sara Bradley - Illinois State
Heather Austin - IUPUI
Abby Wood - Eastern Illinois
Lindsey Coleman  - SIU Edwardsville
Janele Robinson - Middle Tennessee State
Kaitlyn England - Murray State

Olathe Rockets Gold (KS/MO)
Rachel Hay - C  - University of Missouri
Maggie Hull- OF - University of Kansas
Rosie Hull - OF - University of Kansas
Brittney Lang - P/OF - Southern Illinois University
Lindsey Muller - P/3B - University of Missouri
Kendall Patterson - C/3B - University of Kansas
Janessa Swinney - OF - University of Missouri, Kansas City
Lauren Himpel  - OF - Washburn University

St. Louis Diamond Cats
Jenna (JJ) Marston - SS/CF - University of Missouri
Lauren Ackerman - C/UT - Northwestern University

San Jose Sting Gold
Keilani Ricketts-P- Oklahoma
Molly Medeiros-P- LMU
Kelly Schulze-C- UC Davis
Caitlin Breen-OF- Stanford
Kelly McDonald-3B UCSB
Bina Abbott-1B-Towson
Ali Palermo-C- Sonoma State University
Maia Monchek-OF- Purdue

What are your plans for signing day? Share your experience with ESPN RISE! Email: garland@studentsports.com
 

	KIRSTIN OLSEN
	SPARQ Tester running her 20-Yard Sprint.

This past weekend in St. Louis, over 1,000 athletes participated in SPARQ Testing. The testing took place at the St. Louis Fall Showcase on Oct. 31.

SPARQ Testing consists of four events: 20-Yard Dash, Rotational Powerball Throw, 20-Yard Shuttle, Vertical Jump. When the testing is completed, the athletes receive an overall SPARQ Rating that measures the athleticism of a softball player.

Below are the SPARQ Ratings of the most athletic girls at the tournament.

TOP OVERALL SPARQ RATINGS
Mackenzie Sykes -2010-2B-Originals (RE) -133.02
Brandee Bohr -2009-OF-S E Iowa Softball Allstars -126.75
Brianna Corwin -2010-C-Originals (RE) -120.27
Jenna Marston -2009-SS-St Louis Diamond Cats -120.12
Marissa Mersch -2011-OF-Lemont Rockers (DD) -120.09
Cynthia Miller -2010-OF-Illinois Bandits 18U Gold -118.65
Alyssa Smith -2011-2B-Oak Park Windmills (MS) -115.68
Allie Anttila -2010-OF-Illinois Chill (BE) -115.26
Staci Bonezek -2011-3B-Homer Hawks Black 16-U -113.82
Lauren Ackerman -2009-C-St Louis Diamond Cats -111.6


For more information on SPARQ and more complete results see SPARQTraining.com.
Keep checking in for the top ten testers in each event!

IN OTHER NEWS:
Lindsey Davis, a 2009 catcher for the KC Wahoos, has commited to play at the Univ. of Missouri Kansas City.