SENIORS AT THE BATBUSTER

 

Before highlighting the play of a number of unsigned seniors – a report prompted by the requests of numerous college coaches who have ’03 spots to fill, SPY first acknowledges the superior play of those seniors who will be played for the USA Junior World Team in Mexico , starting December 13.

 

Caitlin Lowe (Smoke) who hit a grand slam homerun, and Linda Secka whose hitting and fielding kept Team New Jersey in some games, proved at the Batbuster why they are two of the very best JO outfielders in the country.  With literally dozens of strikeouts, Monica Abbott (Salinas Storm) solidified her claim for a starting role in Mexico .  Lisa Dodd didn’t pitch because the Batbusters gave their time slots away to other teams, but we watched her in practice, throwing her full arsenal of pitches; she’s ready for heavy duty in Mexico , on the mound and in the field.  Norelle Dickson stood out playing 3rd at the trials in Chula Vista ; she played a very good 1st base for Case Batbusters.  Game after game for Smoke, middle infielders Anna Beardman and Jodie Legaspi shone at the plate and at 2nd and SS respectively.  We also saw Kristie Fox making plays others would miss for San Diego Thunder.  (The other 9 members of the Jr. World team are in college and did not play at the Batbuster.)

 

SPY also watched two pitchers who should be given consideration when ASA/USA holds its next camp, after ASA Gold Nationals in August 2003.  Emily Turner (Lightning) throws heat (65-67mph +); she also plays well at 1st and hit one of the monster HRs at the Batbuster; she declined an invitation to Chula Vista first time around to make college visits.  Desiree Williams (AZ Hotshots Gold) is not only one of the most versatile athletes playing JO ball (P,1st,SS,2nd), she proved she is one of the best ’04 pitchers.

 

Their strong play at the Batbuster should also earn Aubrey Boag (Thunder),  and Batbusters Tara Henry, Dominique LaStrapes, and Jaisa Creps another Junior World look.  Smoke 3rd Sherina Galvan wasn’t invited to the first Junior World trials, but, her play at the Batbuster suggests she should have been.

 

Unsigned Seniors (and others) at the Batbuster

 

A number of very promising ’03 players were seen Friday at the exposure camp.  Others were seen in games, or both, with one notable exception.  We were impressed by these.

 

Tall, blonde hurler Tiffany Hoeft threw a variety of pitches as fast as 63mph with movement at the camp – and people could not find her on any team roster.  The Redding 17 year old plays for the Redding Renegades, who were not in the tournament.  GPA 3.5; SAT 1200.

 

We had planned to pen a note about Amanda Scarborough of TX Storm, who pitches, plays 1st and the OF, and jacked a momentous HR out of Field 2, but, now we report that the ’04 scholar is off the books: she committed to Texas A&M.

 

We’re frankly surprised that two of the AZ Hotshots Gold stellar players have not been signed.  Lisa Jones has been an outstanding 3rd throughout the fall; a power hitter, she put one out in the Batbuster.  GPA 3.8; SAT 1100.  Similarly, Lindsay Gatti has had star turns at SS,2nd, and OF, and is a solid hitter.  GPA 3.4; SAT 1080.

 

Liz Hall, a classic, big fastballer for Beach Girls, was the fastest pitcher clocked by coaches: 61-67 mph in the camp.  Later hurled a no-hitter in the games. SAT 940.

 

We and several college coaches were very impressed with the footwork of Waves catcher Sarah Ruben, at camp and in games.  Sets up expertly for each type of pitch and moves smartly to throw down to all bases.  GPA 3.9.

 

Blazing Angels (PA) shortstop Brandie Mora showed at Gold nationals and at the Batbuster that she can play this game.  In fact, this leadoff hitter can play every infield and outfield position.

 

California Odyssey’s Megen McDonough was clocked by several coaches in the 63mph range.  She also plays 1st.  GPA 3.8, SAT 860.

 

We missed Valley Breeze at the Batbuster but we were surprised, given strong reviews we heard earlier, that power hitting 3rd Kelly Lombard is not committed. Great glove.

 

Morgan Miller, who pitches and plays OF for Nevada Impact, varies her fastball and breaking pitches in the 61-63 mph range, and was impressive in putting on the brakes with a curving changeup at 39mph. GPA 3.75; SAT 1050.

 

Renee DiPuccio, who hurls for Las Vegas Rage, stands 5’7” and looks even taller, has a wide range of pitches at different speeds – 57-61 – including a sharp-breaking curve.  GPA 3.5, SAT 920.  Renee also plays OF and 1st.

 

Allison Lewis had some tough games for Irvine Sting at the Firecracker, but she rebounded at the Batbuster.  During the camp, Allison threw in the low 60s, with a great deal of movement.  GPA 3.95, SAT 1220.

 

Kristen Lopez is a highschool percussionist who is also an able pitcher for the American Athletics.  Kristen throws a sharp-breaking drop in the low 60s.  GPA 2.87, SAT 1060.

 

Heather Williams catches for San Diego Thunder, also plays OF.  Good arm and release; strong bat; also impressive 2.2 home to 1st speed.  GPA 3.4; SAT 920.  Kellie Brown plays an effective 2nd; backs up 1st quickly on bunt plays.

 

As we’ve said on several occasions, the Ballistics Danielle Ellement has all the tools needed to be a D-1 pitcher and hitter – if some school is willing to utilize its Aid to the Disabled funds and give a roster spot to a very deserving, deaf athlete.  GPA 3.67; SAT 920.  Danielle was 8-8 at the plate in Saturday games.

 

The Ballistics have nine unsigned players, which surprises us; but, we saw no college coaches at their last two games, which disappoints us.  None more so than OF Meaghan Flaherty; good bat and a terror on the bases; only wants to play in California . 5’9” and 130 lbs; GPA 3.5, SAT 1140.

 

Marissa May of Phoenix Storm had one of the best tournaments of any outfielder.  A true speedsters whom coaches clocked at 2.5 home to 1st, we saw Marissa drive in 3 rbi – she was 6 for 12 in the tournament – and make an outstanding catch against Strike Zone.  GPA 3.8, SAT 1000.

 

Nicole Mercado seems to be overlooked, given all the headliners on Smoke, but, as many players have demonstrated, the critical ingredient is the size of the game in the girl.

 

Kendra Anderson, who plays a strong 3rd base for WA Lake Breeze, can also hit under pressure; she delivered the 2 run hit that helped her team come back to win 3-2 over Texas Storm.  GPA 3.56.

 

Whitney Holum’s bat has been stronger at the last two tournaments, including two games with game winning rbi’s.  The double-play she turned against the Sidewinders ended a potential rally with her team leading 3-1.  GPA 4.0; SAT 1070.

 

The Sidewinders were among some real youngsters at the Batbuster. Jessica Mouse, the very aggressive 3rd for the Beach Girls is 2007.  Most of the 16U Sidewinder team was made up of 14 and 15 year old girls. Jacqui Bushor who pitched the first 4 innings against Lightning is 14 and graduates in 2006. Incidentally, the Sidewinders say their loss to San Jose Strikkers was 5 to 4 , not 7 to 4.  Another youngster getting close looks was infielder/power hitter Maddy Coon, an ’05 who plays for the Shamrocks but came to the Batbuster with Team New Jersey .  Among a number of ’05 players, Cortney Allen of the Breeze laid down the best bases-loaded squeeze bunt we’ve seen in a long while.  A lot of 2004 talent was on display, eg, Grapette Christin Songer who gave up just 3 hits; boomers like the Beach Girls Janetta Deaven and the L’il Saints Calista Balko; the SCA’s Christina Ross; Smoke’s superstar Anna Beardman, pitcher Lauren Nydam  and catcher Hollee Haines, the Strikkers Erin Downey, etc. 2004 will be a deep recruiting pool.  Read more about these and other players in our previous report, The Games at the Batbuster.

 

We had hoped to see Theresa Liedlich of Las Vegas Rage again, after her impressive work at the Firecracker, but, she was taken from the field after getting hit in the head by a throw by a bystander returning a foul ball.  The kid can pitch. GPA 3.9; SAT 1360.

 

Andy Anderson’s San Diego Renegades got good performances from several unsigned seniors.  Sara Radabaugh was very sharp in shutting out So Cal Instinct, and allowed only 2 unearned runs in 13 innings.  Mandy Valadez pitched shutouts against Pony Express and WA Classics and allowed one unearned run in 19 innings.  Radabaugh has a 3.6 GPA and 930 SAT.  Valadez has a 3.1 GPA.  Both play the infield as well.

 

For the second tournament in a row, we liked Stealth catcher Caitlin Carroll who hits for power and has a strong arm.  GPA 3.2.

 

Sudden Impact had to call on pitcher Candace Hildebrand in all 5 games, and she responded with 24 Ks.  GPA 3.0.  Senior outfielder Candacee Carpenter was 16-21.

Other unsigned seniors include: 1st CRYSTAL MUNOZ, 3.40 GPA, SAT PENDING,
Catcher,3rd NICOLE SEYMOUR, 3.25 GPA, SAT 1040; Pitcher JENNIFER ZEV- GPA 2.86, SAT 980.

 

Oregon Panthers pitcher Lorilyn Wilson shutout Smoke, no mean feat.

 

Tucson Bandits got a perfect game from unsigned senior pitcher Katie James and a strong game behind the plate from senior Kira Zeiter defeating Power Surge 2-0.  James has a 3.6 GPA, 1150 SAT; Zeiter is 3.94 and 1050.

 

Tonya Maosi does a lot of everything for Case Batbusters.  Catching against Strikkers, she picked a runner at 2nd, and would have picked another if the throw had been caught.  Tonya drove in the run which enabled the 1-1 tie.

 

 Amanda Kilionski, who pitched the Firecrackers 7-0 win over Legacy, was still undecided about which college offer to accept, last time we checked with coaches.

Sorcerer relied on Laura Ferriera for every pitch to shut down opponents in winning the 18A national championship in 2002, perhaps overshadowing key contributions from other players, several of whom played sterling roles at Batbuster.  Senior Michelle Smith scored the only run to beat Tyronne’s Batbusters, and accounted for all 3 runs in the 3-1 win over Sting.  We also saw some good work by senior catcher Jayme Crank.

 

American Athletics get strong games from OF Lindsay Larson.  We liked this team when they played so well at Plantation .

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College coaches should check out So Cal Breakers pitcher Laura Wiens, who is back throwing in the low 60s after should surgery.  Her fall ball efforts include victories over Salinas Storms and AZ Hotshots.  GPA 4.0, SAT 1250.

 

We raised an eyebrow reading the So Cal Athletics coaches guide.  Outfielders Chelsea Osborne, Nubia Enriquez, and Brandy Hawkins are reportedly not signed.  We know that Jiliane Hartfiel was getting some deserved looks.  These are well-coached players.

 

Similarly, we are surprised having seen them play at Alicia that OF Rebekah Bradford and pitcher Sara Overmier who are on the Grapettes roster have not committed, but they were getting some attention.  These girls have talent.  Bradford has a 3.75 GPA; 1080 SAT.  Overmier 4.4 and 1130.

 

Mom and Dad:  We envied a kid we saw scurrying around Harvard Park on what looked like power-driven roller blades, but, we saw him leap over a curb.  Totally rooted to terra firma, and already suffering from a broken neck, we did our best to make continuous circuits of 7 fields at Harvard Park , 5 fields at Barber, and 4 fields at Alicia.  We undoubtedly missed the best game some girls will play in their entire lives, but, for a free, voluntary service, we do our best to see as many girls as possible.  There is another signing period, and college coaches can see these teams again before HS ball starts.

 

 

end

 

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