In our latest Recruiting News & Notes article we introduced you to a 2018 standout who recently committed to a Big Ten school and should have made the Hot 100 list.

In today’s spotlight you’ll learn more about this lefty who had heavy interest from other Big Ten powers as well as ACC and SEC schools, especially after shining at an event three months ago…

Name: MORGAN OVERAITIS
Grad Year: 2018
Pos: infield/utility
High School: Salem (Canton, Mich.)
GPA: 4.0
Club: Beverly Bandits DeMarini 14U
College: Michigan

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FullCountSoftball.com: We hear you travel 3 ½ hours one way to practice!  How often do you do that and what do you do to pass the time? 
Morgan Overaitis: We traveled to practice every Sunday during the fall and winter. Practice started at 8 am, so I had to wake up at 4 am. In all honesty, I brought a pillow and blanket and slept the entire ride there. On the way home I usually did my homework if it was not finished yet.

 FCS.com: Tell us about the Banditfest experience in January… do you think that launched you or were you already known by coaches before then?
MO: Banditfest was a great experience. I got to see my teammates again and I got to participate and show my skills at one of the best camps in the country. Before the camp I was receiving letters from colleges, but I think the camp opened even more opportunities for me.

FCS.com: When did you first realize that you had the talent to play at the next level?
MO: When I started getting interest and letters from colleges.

FCS.com:  Let’s talk recruiting… tell us how you were first seen by the Michigan coaches, then how long until they offered?
MO: In the beginning of last summer one of the Michigan coach’s brothers saw me play in Illinois when I was playing for the Michigan Pride. He suggested to her that she take a look at me. After that, the coaches started coming to a few of my tournaments to watch me and continued to watch my progress. I went on a visit in the fall and a camp in the winter. I was offered in February and committed in early April.

FCS.com: Were you a Wolverine fan growing up? Were you considering doing the “national college tour” and if so where would you have visited (or was it too early to tell)?
MO: Yes, I grew up a Wolverine fan. I visited the schools that interested me and realized when going on these visits that Michigan was where I belonged.

FCS.com: What led into the decision and why did you commit now?
MO: I love the Michigan coaching staff, I love the school and I love downtown Ann Arbor. When I walked on campus I felt like I was home. I committed now because I knew it was where I should be. I had no doubts.

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
MO: I did it in person on an unofficial visit.

FCS.com: How far will you be from home once you’re in Ann Arbor?
MO:  I will be about 30 minutes from home.

FCS.com:  What are your strengths as a softball player?
MO: I have been told I have a quick bat and I have a good arm. I grew up on the baseball fields watching my dad so I have a great knowledge of the game.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
MO: There are two: one, when my 10U team took 2nd place in the USSSA World Series and we made a triple play and, two, when I committed to Michigan!

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to do when softball ends for you?
Pursue whatever career I decide to major in.

Fill in the blank… the best thing about being a softball player is:_________________
… I get to play the game I love.

What is the biggest issue teens your age are facing right now?
Being socially accepted in high school.

Favorite color:
Teal.

Least favorite food:
Seafood.

Thing you wouldn’t be caught dead doing:
Singing in public (I rock it out in the shower though!).

Horror movies… yes or no/why or why not?
No. They don’t scare me but I just don’t find them all that amusing.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I can crack almost every bone in my body.

What do you do when you want to “de-stress?”
Go in my room and listen to music.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
A friend so I am not alone.

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
Don’t swing on a 3-0 pitch!! You will anger the softball gods!

Do you see yourself as a role model?
Yes.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Cracking my back.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Super speed so I never get thrown out!

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Usually country music.

When you know coaches are/were watching you, how would you not get nervous?
I would convince myself nobody was watching and I would just play my game.

What did you want to be when you were little?
A vet.

Nickname(s):
Mo, MoMo.

Something on your “must do” list:
Win a National Championship!

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
I can’t think of anything I have seen, but it’s always a good laugh when my teammates and I experience those “voice crack” moments!