Today we go from East to West as we look at a top player in Conn. who’s pulled the trigger as well as a Missouri girl who’s going Big Ten and a couple of top players who are changing teams…

 

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*** Danielle Kemp, a 2015 shortstop, catcher with the CT Charmers Gold team, verbally committed to Stony Brook University this weekend.

She took unofficial visits over the past few weeks to UConn, Iona, and a few others but after a trip to the school on Tuesday made her choice.

I spoke to her club coach, Neil Swanchak, and here’s what he had to say about the incoming senior:

“Dani is, first of all, a very athletic kid. She was a volleyball player who works really hard and has dedicated herself to being able to obtain her goal of playing college softball.

She is constantly working to fine-tune her game to make herself a better hitter and a better catcher and shortstop.

Dani’s also as good of a shortstop as she is a catcher and that’s the trademark of a good DI athlete—she can make herself accessible to play different positions for four years so she’ll be playing early.

Off the field, she’s a salt of the earth kid who’s very well liked and has a great rapport with her teammates. In the dugout she’s very supportive and her outgoing personality makes her a tremendous teammate.”

As for why she picked Stony Brook, Coach Swanchak says, “Dani liked the campus, the coaches, the environment and said, ‘This is the place for me.’

 

*** Havyn Monteer, a 2016 outfielder/mid infielder from Boonville, Mo. has committed the University of Iowa.

Havyn finished the club season batting .667 with a home run at PGF Nationals.

According to her club coach, Ryan Taylor of the DeMarini Aces, “Havyn is a legit 2.65 and tracks everything down in the outfield. She played locally before coming to my team and has made huge strides this year.”

“Havyn is the type of kid who will be covered in sweat and dirt after practice, she really gives it all.  She always runs hard through every base and coaches notice her effort the moment they walk up to the field.”

“She also has speed that kills and pop—a great combination.  Havyn had offers from Pac-12, MVC, and Sun Bel schools, but Coach Marla Looper and staff made Iowa feel like home.”

 

*** One of the top 2017 prospects in the nation, catcher/infielder Shaye Bowden, is changing teams in Arizona going from the Hotshots-Househoulder team to the Arizona Firecrackers-Ewing squad.

Bowden has committed to Oregon and was very impressive at last fall’s OnDeck’s National Elite Camp.

I had a chance to catch up with her last fall at the event and asked her about her experience there and the recruiting process prior to her commitment to the Ducks.  She not only did well on the field, but you can see here how well spoken and confident she is.

 

 

*** Another top player who will be wearing different colors is 2015 infielder Morgan Neal, a 2^nd Team All-American, who also made the 2015 Hot 100 national prospect list.

She will be playing for Team North Florida this year and her father, Michael, explains why:

“TNF is qualified for 2015 PGF and plays IDT; also, they are playing Diamond 9 in late October so she will face great competition. Another reason is she will be working with Kevin McGuire (Kenzi McGuire’s father) who is a outstanding MIF instructor.”

 

*** More verbals:

— C Macy Cook(2015, Wright State)… plays for Ohio Outlaws
— OF Amanda Domingo (2015, Long Island)… plays for San Diego Legacy
— IF Morriah Haynes (2015, Arkansas-Pine Bluff)… plays for Texas Glory
— IF Jenell Ladrido (2015, Fordham)… The Next Level
— C Elizabeth Mason (2016, Florida State)… plays for Clearwater Bombers-Mason
— OF Havyn Monteer (2016, Iowa)… plays for DeMarini Aces
— OF Shayna Rider (2015, Maryland-Baltimore)… plays for Tri-State Thunder
— P Lauren Riley (2015, UNC Charlotte)… plays for Santa Fe Inferno-Hill
— P Anissa Rodriguez (2016, Lamar)… plays for Texas Blaze-Bonola
— 3B/1B Anne Scarangelia (2015, Brown)… plays for Arizona Thundercats
— P Sabrina Shroades (2016, Winthrop)… plays for Tri-State Thunder
— IF/OF Jessica Swistock (2016, Winthrop)… plays for Tri-State Thuder
— P/2B Kirsten Titus (2015, Jacksonville State)… plays for Jack City Fury-Herren