Today, we’re doing something a bit different… we’re Hot 100 senior-centric as we get to know several 2014 players more indepth.  We’ll have our usual potpourri of club profiles and recruiting info of all ages tomorrow, but enjoy our focus today on some of the top seniors in the nation!

 

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PLAYER ESSAY: “WHY I DO WHAT I DO” – by KAYLEE CARLSON

One of the top pitchers in the 2014 class is Kaylee Carlson who’s on the OC Batbusters-Haning team and attends Pacifica High in Garden Grove, Calif.—both of which are two of the top programs in their respective club and high school spaces.

Kaylee, who will sign with North Carolina, was #17 in the Hot 100 seniors list and was also a 1^st team All-State pitcher after going 19-1 with a 0.62 ERA for the Mariners.

She kindly sent us an essay she wrote and submitted to UNC as a writing sample describing her thoughts on softball…

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Ever since I can remember, softball has been a huge part of my life. I started playing tee ball at four years old when my older sister was playing in the eight and under division, and when I was seven, I began to pitch.

Most people at my school don’t understand how or why I’ve played for so long and I guess they never will. Softball isn’t just a sport anymore and it hasn’t been for me for a long time. I don’t play because I like the uniforms, bows or just for fun. I play softball because I just can’t imagine my life without it.

As a pitcher, every time I step into the circle, I feel like I am home. At this point in my life, the circle is the only place that I can be worry free and perfectly content with my life.

Nothing else matters when I take the field in the game or at practice, when I am working out with my team or taking lessons. The daily drama of classmates, schoolwork and other responsibilities are temporarily lifted off my shoulders, my stresses are released and I can finally breathe.

Softball has given me friends who are like my second family on and off the field and no matter how big the loss or how great the win, when the game is over, it’s over. You never run out of chances to make the big play or make a new friend and every game is like a new beginning.

Softball has benefitted my life in so many ways. It has taught me about failure and success, and most importantly it has taught me to believe in myself. Over the years I have seen many people get into trouble, break the law, do drugs and drop out of school.

I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if I wasn’t always at a game, practice or doing schoolwork. Would I be like them? Would I be a good student or have the dreams that I do? I am grateful for my parents, my coaches and teammates and all the time and energy I have put into the sport. Playing softball has kept me focused and out of trouble, it has made me want something better for my life.

I have been lucky enough to play for a great organization that focuses on preparing athletes to play at the college level. It has been hard work, but all the travel and every minute of time, all the sweat, every tear cried, every high-five, every loss and every victory has been worth it. I now have the opportunity to play college softball and get an education that will take me to the next chapter of my life, whatever that may be.

So, when someone asks me, “Why do you do what you do?” the answer is easy.

I play softball because for me, it is in my blood. Softball is in my past, present and my path to the future.

 

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RECRUITING PROFILE: KRISTEN CUYOS

We continue our in-depth profiles of players who made the Hot 100 senior list by heading to Texas to spotlight one of the top shortstops in the country, Kristen Cuyos, who was rated #58.

Grad Year: 2014
Club Team: Texas Aces
High School:  Pearland (Texas)
Honors: Houston Chronicle Girls Athlete of the Week
Key Stats: 2013: hit .353, with 23 RBI, 21 steals, 12 walks and only six strikeouts in 65 at bats; high school career: .408 average with slugging percentage of .637 and .955 fielding percentage
College: Texas A&M

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: How did Texas A&M first find out about you and how long was it before they extended an offer?
Kristen Cuyos: The summer of my eighth grade year I played for Connie May (the mom of Megan May, catcher at A&M).  Coach Evans watched me throughout that summer.  The fall of my freshman year in high school I received the offer.

SSS.com: When did you commit and what were the circumstances?
KC: I had been on a few visits in the fall of my freshman year.  When I went to A&M for a visit I knew that was home.  I already knew I really loved Joe Evans as a coach as I had attended some softball camps in previous years.  On the way home from the visit I made the decision to commit to A&M.  However, I went home and made a list of pros and cons comparing it to another school I had been considering.  I gave it a few days and called Coach Evans to commit—I also called the coach from the other school to let him know I had committed.

SSS.com: Will you play at shortstop or is that still open?
KC: I committed as a SS and the position is open next year.  I am preparing myself physically and mentally so when I step on the field next year I can compete and hopefully win the position.

SSS.com: When did you first realize you had college-level softball abilities?
KC: My eighth grade year when I was playing 18U Gold.

SSS.com: What do you love most about softball?  
KC: Softball has many rewarding aspects, I love just playing the game, being a coach/mentor to younger softball players and the many friendships that I have made.

SSS.com: Who’s someone, other than family, you’d say is a hero or inspiration of yours?
KC: I have played for some great coaches both in high school and select ball.  They have always inspired me work to hard and be the best I can on and off the field.

SSS.com: What type of training do you do to get better (hitting? fielding? other?)
KC: To get physically prepared for college I have begun Crossfit training.  I also hit and do some type of field work every day.

SSS.com: What’s your No. 1 goal for your senior year both athletically and non-athletically?
KC: Athletically-to win state this year. Pearland won my eighth grade year and my freshman year we were in the final four.  Also to try and become the best I can be to prepare for college softball.

SSS.com: Most proud accomplishment – softball….
KC: Committing to A&M (of course) and being a NFCA All American.

SSS.com: Most proud accomplishment – non–softball…
KC: Being on the honor roll all four years of high school.  Also, working with the special needs kids in school and attending the Special Olympics with them.

 

Quick Hitters:

Favorite time of the year (season, holiday, etc.): Christmas
Favorite candy: Twizzlers
Dream vacation spot: On a beach any where
Favorite actor/actress: Justin Timberlake
What I want to be when I “grow up”… high school math teacher/softball coach
Happiest memory ever… committing to the college I wanted to go to.
If I were stranded on a deserted island, the one thing I’d want with me: Food!
When I have time, I like to (pick one): read, watch tv or a movie, do something with friends/family, chill by myself, sleep, other… hangout with friends.

 

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VIDEO SPOTLIGHT: ALYSSA VANDERVEER

OK, you HAVE to watch this video of the #72 player in our Hot 100, Penn State-bound C/IF Alyssa Vanderveer.  Not only is she personable and a great player, she does something at the end of the video that will leave you impressed!

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RECRUITING NEWS:

*** Verbal news from the Illinois Chill organization courtesy of Coach Gerry Quinn (his comments are included):

— 3B/1B Allison Spence (2015, Illinois State)
“Allie is the type of hitter that college coaches look for.  She is tall and possesses a sweet swing from the left side with power potential. Allie also has a good glove and a solid arm. She constantly works on her game, making sure she swings her bat every day so she is ready to do some damage on weekends.”

— 3B/1B Alexa Caruso (2014, Yale)
“Alexa is obviously a brilliant student since she will be attending Yale. Alexa is a multi-tool player who possesses a strong arm, runs very well, and has power at the plate.  I would expect her to have a very good career at Yale.”

— Also, SS/2B/OF Karlie Mellott (2014) is no longer verballed to Purdue. She is now a verbal to Cornell University of the Ivy League.

*** Kelsey Leach, a 2014 infielder for the Tulsa Elite team, has committed to play for Missouri-Kansas City.

 

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PIC OF THE DAY

Pretty in pink?  Try “don’t mess with me” in pink!  That’s what the Minors Gold subjects here seem to be saying as they wear the color familiar to us all this month symbolizing Breast Cancer Awareness.

The fashionistas from the SoCal team are (l-r): sr. McKenzie Long (Hot 100 #59), Michigan State bound; sr. Hannah Cookson, Long Beach State commit; Coach Lena Lovelace;  sr. Nicole Chilson, ASU verbal and sr. Lacey Alderman, Long Beach State bound.

 

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