Today we profile a NorCal standout pitcher who’s headed to the Big 12 and learn about what makes her a good candidate for the Hot 100 2015 list.  We also look at an East Coast talent who’ll be wearing Big Ten colors someday and spotlight a “Show Me State” athlete who’s heading North.  Finally, we run the list of 87 Triple Crown Sports fastpitch events scheduled for 2014…

 

 

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HOT 100 2015 PROSPECT: GIA RODONI

Grad Year: 2015
Pos: pitcher
High School: Pacheco (Los Banos, Calif.) I just transferred at the semester break. This is my hometown and I wanted to come home.
GPA: 3.2
Club: California Grapettes
Stats (high school, 2013):  .507 ave, .865 slugging percentage, 0.34 ERA
Honors: WAC 1^st Team: Freshman, WAC MVP: Sophomore, Central Catholic Team Offensive MVP
College: Baylor

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: You were recruited by Baylor for quite a while, correct?  Tell us how they tracked you and what led to them finally offering? 
Gia Rodoni: The first time Baylor saw me, I was 13 and in the 8th grade playing for the CA Grapettes 18u team.  Coach Lumley was the first to see me.  I believe they continued to follow me, but it was at the PGF Nationals this past summer where Coach Moore got an opportunity to see me in action.

SSS.com: Despite having checked out a lot of Pac-12 schools on visits and camps, what was it about Baylor that sealed the deal for you?  
GR: I’ve been blessed by having the opportunity to visit several campuses within the Pac-12, Big 12, Mountain West and the Big West to name a few of the conferences. While each school had something unique to them, Baylor was a feeling. It was like being gone on a trip and coming home. My family and I have been praying that The Lord guide me and give me a sign as to where I should be and Baylor was that “I’m home.”

As I sat in Coach Moore’s office with Coach Newman and Coach Lumley, I had butterflies. The nervousness and maybe anxiety I was feeling prior seemed to melt away. There’s such an amazing peace on the campus. To know that I’ll be at a Christian school and a head coach (who recently became an ordained deacon in his church) who is so strong in his faith is such an incredible feeling. The icing on the cake was Coach Lumley’s mad golf cart driving skills. Lol! Coach Lum took us around the campus, athletic department and almost onto the freeway in the golf cart.

 

SSS.com: You’re a very spiritual person, you’ve said that prayer was key in your finalizing the choice… tell us about that.  
GR: I come from a very religious / spiritual family. Our faith and belief in The Lord is very strong. My great-grandmother started an Assemblies of God church several years ago. There’s such a strong family history and legacy that had been laid out for our family. Prayer really is a foundation. Every morning my dad prays with us before we go to school. We pray for health, guidance, love and everything in between.  When I was on my visit and meeting with the coaches at Baylor, both Coach Moore and I indicated a great interest in me attending Baylor. It was during our meeting that we both asked to pray upon a decision. I think that was another indication that Baylor was where I was to be. I was able to come home, take it to prayer with my family, my grandparents took it to their prayer groups and I got my prayers answered.

 

SSS.com: Describe your emotions around telling them, were you more nervous or more excited?  
GR: Oh my… I was excited and a little nervous. I was excited to call Coach Moore and share my feelings and prayers with him.  I think I shared quite a bit with Coach Moore before I finally said Baylor was where the Lord was guiding me. It wasn’t until Coach Moore asked, “Are you committing?” that I realized those words hadn’t come out. I said “Yes, I’m committing!”

The excitement in his voice made me even more excited.  The nervousness came later when I had to call the other coaches to let them know I committed to another school.  I was very upfront and honest with them all through the process, as far as I was going where The Lord was directing me. I got very positive responses from them all. The hardest call was to a coach I’ve know for six to eight years. But she said that once she heard I had visited Baylor, she knew that’s where I’d go.

 

SSS.com: Any concern about being a NorCal girl and going to school pretty far from home?  
GR: Baylor is only half way across the country. I had offers further. I used to think I had to stay closer for my family, but they’ve all encouraged me to go where I’m being led. My older brother has been accepted to Baylor as well. I’m not sure where he’ll go, he’s been accepted to several prestigious schools. If he decides on Baylor, he’ll be a little bit of home for me when I get there. I’ll also have a college teammate of my dads in Dallas and one of my dad’s ex-players in Austin in case I get home sick. My parents have assured me that they’re only a plane flight away.

SSS.com:  You went to several OnDeck camps… was there one particular moment when things clicked and you feel you emerged as a national prospect?  
GR: II don’t know if I ever had that “I’ve arrived” moment. I am so honored and grateful to the Allisters for giving me the opportunities. It’s very humbling to have people like the Allisters, as well as college coaches acknowledging all your hard work. What a blessing that is. Many hope and pray for just one opportunity and I’ve been blessed with several.

 

SSS.com: With all you’ve accomplished in softball, what would you feel was the highlight so far?
GR: There have been so many moments throughout my career so far, but committing to Baylor and being able to follow my dream is amazing.

 

Quick Hitters

Where do you want to be in 10 years?  
Playing for Team USA in the Olympics.

When having a bad day, what’s a sure-fire thing that will get your spirits up?
Listening to Christian music.

Favorite song:  
Building 429 – We won’t be shaken.

Favorite phrase or motto:
“Take it to the circle and leave it on the field.”

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be (and why):
Biasca, Switzerland where my great great grandfather came from. I’d like to see where we (Rodoni’s) came from.

Who/what always makes you laugh?
My younger brother Thor constantly makes me laugh.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I was deaf until I was 10 months old.

How would your friends describe you in one word?
Loyal.

Which would you have be: President of the United States, a CEO of a Fortune 500 company or the head softball coach at a major university (and why)?
Head coach at major university. I want to share my love and respect of the game and give back. Hopefully be that coach that lights up and encourages their players.

What was the highlight/best part of your holidays?
The absolute best part of the holidays is spending time with my family & grandparents.

What’s your No. 1 goal/New Year’s resolution for 2014?
My No. 1 goal is stay focused and humble. There’s still so much work to do.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
Tim Tebow. He’s such a warrior for The Lord and even when people tried to tear him down, he stood tall and continued to give credit to The Lord.

 

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTA WAGNER

High school: King Philip Regional
City: Wrentham
State: 
Mass.
Grad year: 2016
Club: Rhode Island Thunder Gold – Lotti
Position(s):  outfielder
Stats:

• Hit .274
• 5 Homeruns
• 14 RBI’s
• Scored 15 Runs
• .425 Slug Percent
• .728 OPS
• Indoor track Div. 2 Indoor State Meet, 3rd place in the 300 meter

College: Penn State
Why Penn State: “Penn State University stood out to me because of the atmosphere. I love the coaching staff and the facilities are truly extraordinary. I felt very welcome and I could not picture myself anywhere else..”

 

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: MIYKAELA ARELLANES

High school: Wentzville Hold
City: Wentzville
State: 
Mo.
Grad year: 2015
Club: St. Louis Esprit
Height: 5-6
Position(s):  outfield
Stats:

• Batting Average: .573
• OBP: .594
• Plate Appearances: 103
• At Bats: 96
• Runs Scored: 40
• Hits: 55
• RBI: 20
• Stolen Bases: 47
• Strike Outs: 4

College: Northern Illinois
Other Offers: Missouri, St. Louis, Southeast Missouri State, Truman State
Why Northern Illinois: The Coaches stood out to me. They made me feel at home. I also loved the campus at NIU. The Athletic Facilities were great too!

 

RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Natalie Orcutt, a 2015 MIF/OF with the Atlanta Vipers-Loveless team, committed to Appalachian State last fall because, according to her mother, Patricia, “she loves the coaching staff and the girls on the team.”

“She loves the location of the college in the mountains of North Carolina and the academics of the school offered the majors she was interested in. Plus, the Sun Belt Conference allows her to play against many of the friends she has made throughout her years of playing softball.”

Appalachian State coaches first found Natalie at the fall 2012 Southern Force Showcase in Georgia.  They invited her to their camp and she attended and the Mountaineer coaches watched her play all of the 2013 season.  Then in the fall of 2013, Natalie was asked to visit and was made an offer.

A three-year varsity starter who plays shortstop and lead offs, she hit .525 last season for her Starr’s Mill High team and holds the school record with steals, going 60-for-62 the last three years.

Natalie was selected as a 1^st team All-Region pick the last two years and worked out at the 2013 East Coast National Elite Camp run by Derek and Joann Allister.

Derek had this to say about the Georgia player:

“Natalie played like I remembered her playing in Longmont over the Summer.  Natalie is a lanky, athletic young lady who can swing it, slap, bunt, and cover in CF. She is also very solid on the dirt which just enhances her recruitability.”

 

*** Kinsey Goelz, a 2017 SS/UT with the Tampa Mustangs-Goelz, has committed to South Florida.

 

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EVENT NEWS: TRIPLE CROWN SPORTS RELEASES 2014 SCHEDULE

We’re well into 2014 now so why not start building a Master Calendar for the year?

Triple Crown Sports has released its 2014 fastpitch schedule which includes 87 events running through the end of the year.

Here they are…

 

01/03/14-01/03/14	Rising Stars Individual Winter Showcase Clinic	Fort Lauderdale
01/03/14-01/05/14	LIL' SAINTS 18U GOLD WINTER SHOWCASE Tournament format	Phoenix, Glendale
01/03/14-01/05/14	NEW YEARS SHOOTOUT INVITATIONAL SHOWCASE 16u & 14u	Phoenix, Glendale
01/03/14-01/05/14	Rising Stars Winter Nationals Showcase Event	Ft. Lauderdale
01/04/14-01/05/14	New Year's Challenge	Poway / Santee (San Diego)
01/18/14-01/19/14	SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP	Phoenix, Glendale,
01/25/14-01/26/14	OC Coastal Classic (Huntington Beach Classic)	Huntington Beach / Orange County
02/08/14-02/09/14	February Frost	Poway / Santee (San Diego)
02/08/14-02/09/14	Triple Crown College Classic	St. Augustine
02/15/14-02/17/14	President's Day Showdown - Double Elimination	Temecula / Perris
02/22/14-02/23/14	LEAD OFF CHAMPIONSHIP	Phoenix
03/01/14-03/16/14	Myrtle Beach Spring College Fastpitch Open	Myrtle Beach
03/08/14-03/09/14	Dancing in the Desert - Big League Dreams Perris	Perris
03/15/14-03/16/14	ST. PATRICK'S DAY Spring Classic	Phoenix
03/22/14-03/23/14	March Mayhem in South Orange County	South Orange County
04/05/14-04/06/14	5th Annual Spring Frost National Qualifier	New Windsor
04/05/14-04/06/14	Big League Dreams	Palm Springs (Cathedral City) and Perris
04/12/14-04/13/14	19th ANNUAL SPRING TRAINING CHAMPIONSHIP	Phoenix, Glendale, Avondale
04/12/14-04/13/14	April Showers Round Robin	Erie/Longmont/Westminster
04/12/14-04/13/14	TCS Early Bird National Qualifier	N. Branford/East Haven
04/18/14-04/19/14	Spring Stampede	Northern Colorado
04/26/14-04/27/14	April's Finest sponsored by HeyBucket and OnDeck Softball	12U Santa Clarita - 14U Hemet
05/10/14-05/11/14	Flowers for Mother's Day	Northern Colorado
05/10/14-05/11/14	HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY May Classic	Glendale and Phoenix
05/10/14-05/11/14	Mother's Day Classic - Sponsored by Full Gorilla Apparel	Fountain Valley (Orange County Cities)
05/17/14-05/18/14	Spring Fling	Northern Colorado
05/17/14-05/18/14	SUMMER KICK-OFF CANCER AWARENESS!!	Phoenix (ROSE MOFFORD Sports Complex)
05/23/14-05/25/14	TCS Memorial Day Shootout at Huber Ranch	Seguin
05/24/14-05/26/14	Memorial Day Classic - Double Elimination	Irvine / Mission Viejo / Laguna Niguel
05/30/14-06/01/14	TCS ARIZONA A & B STATE CHAMPIONSHIP	Phoenix
05/30/14-06/02/14	Triple Crown OKC	Oklahoma City
05/31/14-06/01/14	June Bug	Aurora Sports Park
06/06/14-06/08/14	Zoom Into June Invitational	Hemet
06/10/14-06/12/14	Mountain Magic Camp	Steamboat Springs
06/13/14-06/15/14	Mountain Magic	Steamboat Springs
06/13/14-06/15/14	TCS Texas State Championship	McKinney/Allen
06/14/14-06/15/14	Stars and Strikes	Beaumont - Noble Creek
06/14/14-06/15/14	TCS FLAGSTAFF COOL COUNTRY CLASSIC	Flagstaff Arizona
06/20/14-06/22/14	Triple Crown State Championships	Aurora Sports Park/Erie
06/27/14-06/29/14	TCS Summer Slump Crusher-National Qualifier	Chester
06/27/14-06/29/14	Triple Crown Colorado Fireworks Warm-Up College Showcase {16U & 18U CHAMPS EARN A FREE BERTH TO 2015 COLORADO FIREWORKS!}	Cumming
06/28/14-06/29/14	Colorado Classic	Northern Colorado
06/28/14-06/29/14	Red, White and Blue	Irvine / Laguna Niguel / San Clemente
06/30/14-06/30/14	Sparkler JUNIOR All-Star Showcase	Greeley
06/30/14-07/03/14	Sparkler All-Star Showcase	Westminster
06/30/14-07/06/14	Colorado Sparkler 2014	Westminster--Hyland Hills
06/30/14-07/06/14	Colorado Sparkler Juniors	Northern Colorado
07/01/14-07/01/14	Fireworks All-Star Showcase	Aurora
07/11/14-07/13/14	4th Annual Summer Breeze-National Qualifier	Suffolk County
07/11/14-07/13/14	TCS Rising Stars Regional Showcase Event	Ft. Lauderdale
07/12/14-07/13/14	FLAGSTAFF COOL PINES BEAT THE HEAT	Flagstaff
07/13/14-07/18/14	2014 Triple Crown NYC Fastpitch Experience	New York City
07/14/14-07/17/14	TC/USA Nationals on CBS Sports Network	Cumming/Alpharetta/Gainesville
07/14/14-07/19/14	Triple Crown Sports 14U Open Western World Series	Park City / Salt Lake City (Overflow)
07/14/14-07/19/14	Triple Crown Sports 16U/18U Open Western World Series	San Diego
07/17/14-07/20/14	TC Northeast Nationals	New York City
07/21/14-07/26/14	Triple Crown Sports 10U/12U Open Western World Series	Sparks / Reno / Carson City
07/24/14-07/27/14	Midwest Summer Nationals @ Grand Park	Westfield
07/31/14-08/03/14	TCS East Coast Summer Nationals	Myrtle Beach
08/08/14-08/10/14	Showcase by the Sea	San Diego
08/16/14-08/17/14	Harbor Havoc	San Diego
08/22/14-08/24/14	TCS SUMMER NIGHT CLASSIC	Phoenix
09/20/14-09/21/14	Fall Classic @ Big League Dreams	West Covina/Chino Hills/Riverside
10/03/14-10/05/14	Firecrackers and TCS present: Showcase at Big League Dreams	West Covina /Chino Hills
10/04/14-10/05/14	Best of the West - 12U and 14U	Palmdale
10/04/14-10/05/14	Best of the West Showcase	Palmdale
10/10/14-10/12/14	Reno-SparksTober Showcase - INDIVIDUAL CAMP	Reno/Sparks
10/10/14-10/12/14	Reno-SparksTober Showcase - TEAM	Reno/Sparks
10/17/14-10/19/14	8th Annual Pumpkin Patch Classic National Qualifier	Chester
10/18/14-10/19/14	Monster Mash	Escondido / Poway / Santee / San Diego
10/24/14-10/26/14	Showcase in the City of Lights - INDIVIDUAL CAMP	Las Vegas
10/24/14-10/26/14	Showcase in the CITY OF LIGHTS - TEAM	Las Vegas
10/25/14-10/26/14	***FIREWORKS / SPARKLER NIT - SAN DIEGO***	Escondido (San Diego)
11/01/13-11/01/13	Ronald McDonald Tournament All-Star Showcase	Spring
11/01/13-11/01/13	THE WHOLE ENCHILADA ALL STAR GAMES Showcase	Phoenix
11/01/13-11/03/13	TCS Ronald McDonald Tournament 18U	Spring
11/01/14-11/02/14	Turkey Bash	Santa Clarita / Palmdale
11/02/13-11/03/13	THE JR. ENCHILADA	Phoenix
11/02/13-11/03/13	THE WHOLE ENCHILADA AZ JC SHOWCASE	Phoenix, Glendale
11/08/13-11/08/13	TC FroShow Filtered Combine	Phoenix
11/08/13-11/10/13	Arizona FroShow Showcase	Phoenix and Glendale
11/15/14-11/16/14	TCS Pre-Thanksgiving Cup	West Covina/Chino Hills/Riverside
11/22/14-11/23/14	The Don Battles On	West Covina/Chino Hills/Riverside
11/28/14-11/30/14	So Cal State Championships	Temecula / Perris
12/06/13-12/08/13	HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE 18A & 18 OPEN COLLEGE EXPOSURE	Phoenix
12/06/13-12/08/13	JR. HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE 10A thru 18B	Phoenix, Glendale
12/06/14-12/07/14	TCS Christmas Qualifier - Toy Drive	San Diego

 

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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!

 

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