We continue our previewing 2016s by heading to a couple Midwestern stops and then go to South Carolina to spotlight an excellent sophomore from South Carolina who’ll play in the ACC.  We then focus the spotlight on a Tennessee standout who’s headed to her dream school in the SEC…

 

*****

CLASS of 2016: PLAYERS TO WATCH (cont.)

We continue our early look at top sophomores with more players in the spotlight who come highly recommended!

*** The Illinois Chill, led by Gerry Quinn, had two players in the Hot 100 2014 class and has another duo who will get strong consideration for the top 100 of the 2016 class.

Here’s a closer look at the two:

— Kayla Konwent (C/3B, verbal Wisconsin)
Kayla had a phenomenal fall season. In 67 official at bats she hit seven homers and drove in 37 runs against a very competitive schedule. More impressively, she struck out only twice in 75 plate appearances. She is a rare combination of power and contact. I believe she can become one of the more dominant middle of the order hitters in the country.

— Alex Martens (2B, verbal Kentucky)
Alex is a 5-foot-11 left-handed hitting middle infielder. She is smooth in the field and always knows where the play is. As she continues to mature physically she projects as an extra base hit threat with great plate coverage.

 

*** Sticking to the middle of the country, the DeMarini Zephyrs out of Kansas City, Mo., have some talented underclassmen—including a pair to watch from the 2016—class according to Coach Ryan Taylor:

— Lexey Kneib (2016, verbal to Nebraska)
Lexey chose her dream school in WCWS team Nebraska and also had opportunities at Alabama and Oregon.

She is from Webb City, Mo. and played high school ball her freshman year but decided to play travel ball this fall (Missouri plays high school softball in the fall).  It has paid off huge for her.  A three-hole hitter on a team that finished 9th at PGF Platinum last year, she moves really well and being a lefty power-hitter at the plate is always a plus.

— Madison Heide (2016, uncommitted)
Madison is a third baseman/catcher with a 65 mph overhand arm and one of the best arms in her class.  Put her on the baseball field and she can chuck it as far as the boys.  Doing long toss on the football field, she is able to throw it across the field and then some with ease.

Madison is a gap-to-gap hitter and is very smart on the base path.  She has taken unofficial visits to Memphis, Missouri, Northwestern, and Stanford.

— Kendyll Bailey (2017, uncommitted)
Kendyll is 5-foot-10 middle infielder with excellent hands and range.  Her large frame offers a huge plus for college coaches.  She’s only 14 and competing at the highest level of travel ball.

“KB” has been on the campus of  LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma, Alabama, and is headed to Oregon this week.  She batted over .400 this fall at the O’Fallon DeMarini Invite Sun Classic, and Southern Forces Showcase.  She is a double and RBI machine with very quick hands.  She makes everything effortless.

Kendyll is also a two-sport athlete and has the opportunity to play basketball at the division 1 level.
 

*****

PLAYER PROFILE: BROOKE BURNS

Grad Year: 2016
Pos: shortstop
High School: Chapin (S.C.)
GPA: 3.7
Club: Carolina Elite Team Mizuno
Honors: All-State
College: North Carolina

 ***

StudentSportsSoftball.com: OK, the first question has to be about your nickname… where did “Bird” come from?
Brooke Burns:  I was given that nickname because when I was little my parents said I used to pucker my lips up when I was hungry.

SSS.com: Walk us through the commitment to North Carolina… where were you first seen by the coaches, then how long until they offered?
BB: I was first seen by the coaches at the Fall Southern Showcase in Watkinsville, Ga. They watched me play five games. I was then invited to a camp and unofficial visit that next weekend.  An offer was presented to me at that time. 

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
BB: I decided to commit the night I got home from the visit. I really felt like UNC is where I wanted and needed to be. The coaches are amazing, along with the players. Everything about it just felt like home. The coaches also seemed like great role models that I would need during my college years. It’s just an amazing feeling you can’t describe, something that you just know on the inside.  My first step on their field—that’s when I knew I wanted to be a Tar Heel!

 

SSS.com: You committed right before Christmas… was that the best present you got for the holidays?  Seriously, it must have been a big relief to decide, right?
BB: It was probably the best thing to happen in my entire life. So yes, it was definitely the best present! It’s something you work for and pray about. It was like everything that me and my dad had worked for my entire life had paid off and all of my dreams had finally came true.

 

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?
BB: When I called Coach Tony that night I was so excited I couldn’t even get the right words out to talk to him. I was so happy and thankful that I basically cried.

SSS.com: How far away from home will be?  Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
BB: Chapel Hill is about three and a half hours from home. Distance was a factor, I knew I needed to be within driving distance of my family. My family is the most important thing in my life so I couldn’t imagine not being able to go home whenever I wanted.

 

SSS.com:  Did you do anything to celebrate after you told the coaches you’d be a Tarheel?
BB: Yes, me and my family went out to eat at Miyabis so that I could share my excitement with everyone.

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
BB: My top memory is definitely committing to UNC. It’s everything I have ever wanted. My second memory would be my first home run.  When I was born my great-grandpas first words about me were, “Look at those long fingers; this is going to be my ball player!”

He was always supportive and followed my progress from another state.  He became very ill and had tried to come see me play numerous times, but his health just didn’t allow it.  Sadly, he passed, but on the day of my first game after he passed it happened: first pitch, first game, first at-bat I hit my very first home run.    It was an amazing feeling because I knew that he had finally got to see me play. I know he was smiling as he looked down on me from heaven.   I was thrilled to have been able to honor him in such a way.

 

Quick Hitters

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I aspire to play in the NPF. I also want to be a coach. I want to be involved in softball somehow for the rest of my life.

If you weren’t playing softball, what would you be doing with that time and energy?
I have no clue. I can’t imagine my life without softball.

Would you rather it be 90 degrees outside or 50 degrees (and why)?
I would rather it be 90 degrees any day. I just love playing in warmer weather. I guess I’m just used to the warm weather and I feel like the pace of the game isn’t as fast and fun when it’s freezing.

What is the coolest part of being from South Carolina?
I think the coolest thing would be having both the ocean and mountains.

Favorite place in the world:
My favorite place in the world would be Big Sur California. When we went there for Nationals we stayed a few extra days and visited.  The beauty is breath taking.

What was the funniest thing you’ve ever seen happen on a softball field?
The funniest thing I’ve probably ever seen on the field would be when one of our pitchers went to pitch the ball and it hit off her leg. We were all wondering where the ball went. I looked over at our third baseman and she had actually dove for the ball and caught it in the air.

What type of bat do you use (and do you like it)?
I use the Easton Stealth SCN4B.  I’ve had it forever and love it.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I have a car, but don’t have a permit.

Fill in the blank:  “I’m happiest when I’m _____________”
On the softball field.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
Water!

What’s your No. 1 goal for 2014?
To stay focused on school, and keep working hard on hitting and defense so I can continue to improve.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
My hero is Mariano Rivera. He came from basically nothing and worked hard to accomplish his achievements. Mariano never let anyone outwork him and that is how I try to be. He 1s also a good person, not just a good athlete.

 

*****

RECRUIT SPOTLIGHT OF THE DAY (COMMITTED): KAITLYN MARTIN

High school: South Gibson County
City:  Medina
State: 
Tenn.
Grad year: 2016
Club: Germantown Red Devils
Position(s): first base/pitcher
Height: 5-9
Stats & Honors: 2013 (freshman): hit .405 with 21 RBI and 32 runs scored. Slugging percentage of .703

College: Tennessee
Others considered: After missing the entire 2012 season due to ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation, Kaitlyn was released to play in the late fall. She was invited to and attended the OnDeck Bandifest in Chicago in January of 2013. After leaving Chicago, she was being recruited by Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida and Washington. She went on her unofficial visit to Tennessee in February and she committed in March.
Why Tennessee? “I am a Tennessee girl! And after visiting other campuses, I knew that Tennessee was home. With Ralph and Karen, they made my decision very easy. I loved the family atmosphere and how they work together as a team. They certainly made me feel like I belong in Knoxville. I am definitely blessed to have the opportunity to be a Lady Vol and play for the Weeklys.”

What is your favorite bat: “I love my 2012 Demarini CF5 Insane!!! Out of all of my Demarini bats (and I own a lot of them) this is definitely my favorite. It’s smooth and has the best feel and the most pop.”
What bat does your team use? “I use my 2012 Demarini CF5 Insane. We don’t have a team sponsor – everybody uses her own bats.”
What is your favorite brand of cleats? 
Tanel 360
What is the uniform brand you prefer? Adidas

 

*****

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Hannah Gibbons, a 2015 corner infielder from the Pittsburgh Power 18U Gold coached by RJ Matetic, has accepted an offer from head coach Leslie King to play softball for the 2013 Ivy League champs, the University of Pennsylvania.

Hannah is a member of UPENNs 2015 recruiting class. The commitment was given to Coach King on Tuesday January 21, 2014.

 

*** Bailee Bostic, a 2015 catcher with the Cincy Static 97-Morgan team, has committed to Evansville.

We’ll have more on Bailee next week…

 

*****

Players, parents and coaches:  want to know the best way to get us info on your favorite player?  Fill out our Recruit Form link and complete.  It comes directly to me (Brentt) and you very likely could see the info used somewhere on our site!

 

*****

 

If you’d like to submit information, forward to brentt@studentsports.com.  Also, follow us on twitter at @SS_Softball.