Today we head to Northern Virginia to track one of the top club programs in the East and then go down the coast to profile a Georgia Peach with an amazing story of running (literally) from a playoff game to a football game where she was part of the Homecoming Court!  We had several more verbals to cover too…

 

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CLUB PROFILE: VIENNA STARS

Based in Vienna, Va. in the northern part of the state and considered the top club program in the Washington D.C. area, the Vienna Stars club program makes it clear in its Mission Statement that if you’re in the organization, you will travel and, in their case, it probably means from coast to coast:

“Participation on a Stars team requires a full commitment from both the players and their parents to an intensive training and game schedule that begins in early fall,” the statement begins, “… and has the potential for tournament ball every weekend from late May through National Tournaments in late July and early August.”

This summer the Stars tied for 33^rd at the PGF 18U Gold Nationals held in Huntington Beach, Calif. and have played at the NJ Team Classic this fall two weeks ago, will be in St. Louis, Mo. this weekend for the Schutt St. Louis Showcase and will be at the Diamond 9 Sun Classic next week. In November, the team will travel to California for the Early Thanksgiving Showcase.

“One of the struggles on the East Coast,” begins Tony, “and the biggest difference between our girls and the kids in California and other areas where you have a lot of competitive teams is that they’re playing 75-80 teams that are competitive and challenging them to be the best.”

“We have to travel to get those experiences and, if we didn’t, our kids wouldn’t be seasoned and prepared to compete at the highest level.  You’re competing against top players in the country, not just the top players in the area.”

Tony and Cathy Rollins have been with the organization for a dozen years and have built a strong organization that is solid at the younger ages, not just at the 18U Gold level, because they stress playing against the best.

Added Cathy, “It’s not just about us competing, it’s about the players showing a college coach that they can play against the best talent and continuing to improve until they get to the college campus.  They want to see a pitcher throw against the best and a position player on defense.  That’s why we travel and continue to play at these high-level events.

Like many parents, the Rollins got involved when their daughter, Ashley, was playing; she graduated in 2010 and played at Wagner for two years and is now at Queens Univ. in Charlotte, N.C. where she’s playing and will graduate in the spring.

Tony coached her up through the ranks and Cathy became an Executive Director overseeing all the team—which now includes a 10U, 11U, 12U, 14U, 16U Premier and two 18Us, a Showcase team and the Gold squad, which Tony continues to lead.  This year will be his fifth heading the Gold team.

Many of the athletes in the Stars ranks are drawn from the strong Vienna Girls’ Softball League (VGSL) and the organization bring in top talent from the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. metro areas.

Unlike many programs, however, they don’t work hard to recruit athletes far away.

“Our philosophy is we try to take care of the kids in our area and develop them to be the best of our area,” explains Tony.  “We don’t discourage players from out of the area—Jess Cummings is an hour and a half away and we’ve had players two hours away—but for the most part we haven’t gone out and tried to recruit players far away.  My feeling is we try to take care of what we have and try to compete the best we can.”

Cathy added, “We’re starting to see some of the younger players who are driving further away, we have a player on the 16U team who drives four hours.  They’re realizing with our schedule that we are playing the best and they can have a great experience.  We think he future is very bright.”

 

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Here’s a player-by-player look at the Vienna Stars Gold team with comments by Tony and Cathy Rollins:

— P Jessica Cummings (2014, Penn State)
“Jess is a true gem, she’s one of the most humble players I’ve ever encountered.  The possibilities are unlimited for her and she’s excelled at everything she’s done. She works harder than any kid I’ve scene and will work for hours on a pitch until it’s perfect and she’s the same in the classroom.  Jess is also very dedicated to her teammates.”

— MIF/ 3B Krista Kelly (2014, Longwood)
“Krista has great softball IQ and she grew up playing baseball and converted later in her career.  She’s a hardnosed player who I would call clutch as she makes the clutch play when needed.”

— MIF Jade Fleming (2014, George Mason)
“Jade is a quiet leader whose sister played for me several years prior.  She’s another kid who’s a powerful hitter and she’s substance and not flash.”

— C/OF Kamille Larrabee (2014, Bucknel)
“Kamille is high energy, a coach on the field and a lefty coach which is unique.  She’s fun to be around and we love having her on the team.  Kamille possesses good leadership qualities behind the plate.”

— OF Morgan Rinehart (2014, George Washington)
“Morgan is a true outfielder who tracks the ball exceptionally well and has a rocket for an arm.  Her bat, when it’s on, is as good as anybody’s.  She’s a great kid, is really smart and always has a smile on her face.”

— C Brooke Redmond (2014, uncommitted)
“I originally didn’t take Brooke and offered her a position after not taking her twice.  Third time was the charm!  She swings a hot bat and is solid behind the plate.”

— SS Whitney Burks (2014, Stanford)
“Whitney is a true Vienna Star from age nine til now.  Once a Star, always a Star.  Physically she’s imposing on the field offensively and defensively and is one of the most loyal and dedicated players I’ve ever come across.  Whitney is also a great teammate and someone who gives back to the younger players and the softball community.”

— MIF Mia Lacy (2015, uncommitted)
“Mia is extremely athletic and can play all positions including pitcher.  She likes to look good to play good.”

— 2B Danielle Brendes (2015, uncommitted)
“Danielle is a very hard worker and didn’t have a lot of experience at a younger level but has an infectious personality and is very coachable.  She has a very good eye at the plate and rises to the occasion in game situations.”

— P/1B Amanda Hendricks (2015, uncommitted)
“Amanda has high academics and since she was five wants to be a paleontologist, she’s my first! She’s a kid who I recruited for two years and finally got her to join.  She’s a left-handed pitcher who can also play outfield or first base, where she was AAA All-State.”

— OF Tia Mitchell (2015, Virginia)
“Tia is extremely athletic and is still honing her craft as a lead-off lefty triple threat and a rangy outfielder even though she converted just a year ago.  The sky’s the limit for her.”

— OF Grace Sanderson (2015, uncommitted)
“Grace is flourishing with confidence at the plate and recently hit her first home run with many more to come. She’s a solid outfielder too.”

— C/UT Bella Norton (2015, Indiana)
“Bella has been playing with me since she was a freshman, she’s a long-ball hitter.  We took her as an eighth grader to Colorado and she hit the heck out of the ball.  She is solid behind the plate and has a strong arm.  She’s still growing.”

— P/1B Katie Vannicola (2016, uncommitted)
“Katie has the potential to be a dominant pitcher and has the size and body type to continue to develop speed.  She’s a very good up and down pitcher and has ice water in her veins in the circle.”

— P/IF Madison Larsen (2016, uncommitted)
“Madison is a strong in and out pitcher with a good change-up and plays good corner defense with room to continue growing.”

 

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RECRUITING PROFILE: SYDNEY SPRAGUE

Grad Year: 2014
Pos: SS/2B/UT
High School:  Columbus, Ga.
Club Team:  Georgia Peaches (Columbus, Ga.)
College: committed to Missouri

Stats: 2013 (travel): hit .530 with .800 slugging percentage on team that placed fourth in Orlando at the World Series; 2013 (senior year of high school): hit .410 with 43 hits, 23 RBI, 12 doubles and six home runs. Holds high school career home run record, holds high school season records for most hits, runs scored and home runs; Helped team win back to back region championships in 2012 and 2013 for our AAAA region. Helped lead the team to an “Elite 8” appearance in the Georgia State Championship in 2012, finishing 5^th overall.
Other Sports: Lettered freshman year Varsity Basketball and Offensive Player of the year.  Gave up basketball after freshman year to focus on softball.
Academics: 4.2 GPA, member of National English Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society, Honor Society, Beta Club from No. 1 magnet school in state of Georgia.
Giving Back: Major at Mizzou will be Special Education. Loves to volunteer with Special Olympics. Also is a peer facilitator for gifted students at Columbus High.

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: Recap your homecoming experience… we heard it involved a mad dash in a softball uniform!
Sydney Sprague: My high school Homecoming football game landed on Thursday, October 17th this year which started at 7 pm. That same day, my high school softball team was playing our final game of the series of state playoffs, which would determine if my senior season would end or if we got to continue on our hopes of winning a state championship.

My coaches and administrators already knew that I had Homecoming Court that night so went ahead and scheduled our softball game an hour earlier at 3:30 which was supposed to give me enough time after the game to go home, shower, put on my pretty dress and heels, and make it to the homecoming game in order to walk at homecoming court!

Then out of nowhere it started raining, causing us to have a two and a half hour rain delay which forced us to start our game back up in the fourth inning at 6:40!

In my head I was thinking, “OK, worst case scenario I just don’t have time to change and I will show up during the second quarter and walk in my softball uniform.”

Unfortunately, my senior season ended with a 6-5 loss and as soon as the game was over, of course, I was upset that that would be the last time I would ever play for my high school. Right when the game ended it was close to 8 pm and my mother and I sprinted to my car to rush to the Homecoming game.

I am hysterically crying in the car because my season has ended, I wouldn’t be able to wear my dress to the football game and halftime was just starting and we weren’t even there yet!

I had seven missed called from friends on my phone asking where I was and telling me that the Homecoming Court was already lining up on the field getting ready to walk and that they told the administrators that we were speeding to the field and would be there in minutes.

When I pulled up to the football field, I am pretty sure we illegally parked and even forgot to turn my headlights off in my car because we were in such a hurry.

My principal was already waiting for me in the parking lot to get me to the field as quick as possible. Luckily they called the girls by alphabetical order making me the last member in line for Homecoming Court and as me and my principle were sprinting across the football field, I finally made it to the line with just one more court member in front of me before it was my turn to walk!

Just as they were about to call my name and start my bio, my Dad comes sprinting across the field just in the nick of time to escort me in my softball uniform. All I remember is hearing everyone in the stands cheering when we made it on time!

After this experience, I realized that my softball uniform was the perfect outfit for me to wear as I walk down the field. Softball is such a big part of my life that it truly represents who I am more than a lacy little dress. I found myself laughing after this night and realizing how funny God is for doing the things he does.

From this, I learned that God always wants me to put my full trust in Him and that His way is the right way even if it my day did not turn out how I expected it to!

SSS.com: Speaking of Missouri, why did you end up choosing the Tigers?
SS.com: Although I am 12 hours away from home, Mizzou made me feel like I am part of a family. I love the college town feel, and everyone I met there was extremely nice. I love the Christian environment, the coaches and everything the school has to offer. I was amazed by the athletic facilities and the support provided to athletes by all of the staff. God spoke to my heart and told me that this was the school for me.

SSS.com: Tell us how Mizzou found you, offered you and what were the circumstances of your committing?
SS.com: Coach (Ehren) Earleywine was doing a hitting clinic in Atlanta in January and my travel ball coach was also holding a practice up there. Leo (Valero), my travel ball coach, has known Coach Earlywine for a long time from their mens’ fastpitch softball days and when Coach E coached at Georgia Tech. Leo invited him to come watch me and four other girls from my team practice doing different drills and hitting. That was the first time Coach Earleywine ever saw me play. In July I went to Mizzou to tour the campus and facilities and here I am today, a future Mizzou Tiger! M-I-Z!  Z-O-U!

SSS.com: Describe your official visit last weekend, what’d you do…?
SS.com: The official visit was seriously the best weekend of my life! I felt nothing but pure excitement at the airport right before boarding the plane to St. Louis because I had never met Morgan (Walters), my future roommate, and I was anxiously waiting to see her walk up and finally meet my future teammate!

Everyone in Columbia is so welcoming and makes you feel right at home. I got to meet other athletes at Mizzou and get to know my future teammates. We watched the volleyball team defeat Georgia and Saturday morning we got Recruit Field Access Passes and got to go onto the football field while the team was warming up!

My favorite part about Saturday was standing on the field right by the tunnel as the football team ran out. I just love how everyone loves each other and all the athletes from all sports come together as one big family.  I found myself over and over again throughout different aspects of the visit thanking God for blessing me with this opportunity to play.

Quick Hitters:

Favorite color(s): coral and lavender
Favorite pro team: I prefer college sports over professional sports, but if I had to pick i guess it would be the Atlanta Braves
Are you a morning person or a night person? It can go either way. Sometimes I like to get up before school and go to the gym, but other times I would rather sleep in and stay up late watching movies and catching up on my favorite TV shows.
Favorite workout drill? Hitting with a wooden bat to work on bat speed and quick hands.
Hamburgers or hot dogs? HAMBURGERS! I love double quarter pounders from McDonald’s!
Most hated food? the only food I absolutely hate is raw oysters!
Fill in the blank… if I could change one thing about me it would be: overthinking at times
Describe in one word how you are as a softball player? versatile

 

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** More verbals…

— We reached out to Taylor Ellsworth, the talented 2017 catcher from the Texas Dirtbags, to confirm she had committed to Texas and how the Longhorns found her.  Here’s what she had to say:

“Yes, its true, I have verbally committed to the University of Texas.  I think I’ve been on Texas’s radar for about a year.  Really no great story, I live in Georgetown which is about 30 minutes away.”

“I have always known I wanted to attend UT,” she continued.  “I attended their camps and they attended other activities I attended.  I was asked to go on an unofficial visit and D.I.R.T. experience in September.  Basically, from that point it was all down hill.  Texas offered on the 16th of October and I verbally committed back to them immediately.  HOOK’EM.”

Taylor attended a Scout Softball regional camp in April and the Scouting Report on her was: “Big time power from Taylor. She just keeps getting better and more athletic. (She) ended BP with a monster HR shot and then ends the game portion of the event with a 2-run HR. (She’s) one of the best overall players in the 2017 class nationally.”

 

— 2016 P Roni Lynch of the So Cal Choppers Shipman/Ziese team has verballed to Boise State, committing last night. We asked her coach, Jim Ziese, for a scouting report… here’s what he had to say:

“Roni is a tall pitcher who spins the ball very well and is going to be an effective pitcher at the next level.”

We had profiled the Choppers’ team about two weeks ago and at that time Coach Ziese said of Lynch, whose first name is Veronica:

“Roni is another outstanding pitcher with a go-to pitch of a curveball.  When her change up is working, there isn’t one better in her age group.  Roni has an offer from Boise State and there’s a very good change she’ll commit on her visit in November.”

Good call, coach!

 

— 2016 C/3B Sarah Parten with the Cal A’s has committed to Maryland.

Incidentally, the A’s Cal A’s 18’s team had a chance to play the White Rock Renegades from Canada last Thursday and Friday and we hear it was competitive and a lot of fun on both sides.

 

— 2014 P Lena Mayer of the KG hitters has committed to UC Santa Barbera

 

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