2021 Recruiting - Softball

Official

 

A wrap to 2021 recruiting.

Katie Cimusz (#12 Extra Innings / #39 FloSoftball / #28 Softball America), C, Atascocita, Texas
Mya Holmes (#22 FloSoftball / #24 Extra Innings / #46 Softball America), OF, Texas City, Texas
Ashton Maloney (#7 Extra Innings / #64 Softball America), OF, Kansas City, Missouri
Sophia Simpson (#4 Extra Innings / #9 Softball America), P, Mount Belvieu Texas
Mia Scott (#7 Extra Innings / #21 FloSoftball / #57 Softball America), IF, Angleton, Texas
Vanessa Quiroga (#142 Softball America), Util, Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas Official: Softball inks six players to its 2021 signing class - University of Texas Athletics

 

This is my favorite too. The coaches standing back and smiling ear to ear like they had anything at all to do with those players making it to college.

 

Barbers Hill is putting out a bunch of good female athletes. Charlie Collier from WBB is from there as well. Last years softball team had 5 division 1 pitcher on it.

 

Coach White and his staff have quietly put together an amazing class. The future of Texas Softball could not be in better hands. I cant wait for the season to start (Hopefully a return visit to Houston) ...Hook em!!

 

I love Mike White. He is successful because he is deeply involved in every aspect of the program including the recruiting process. At various times over the last couple years I've mentioned him being at dang near every tournament my daughter played in. He really wanted our pitcher and probably attended 10 games that fall trying to get her to switch her commitment from Colorado State. He didn't send assistants to get the players he wants, he does it himself.

I never once saw Connie at a single tournament. I rarely saw UT staff in general at tournaments when she was coach.

 

VYPE 2021 Softball Preview: Living in a Softball World

 

An article about Ashton Maloney from January 27 of this year. She was saying Texas was her dream school!
Ashton Maloney Recognized for HFL Fall Season Performance - The Alliance Fastpitch

 

Texas UIL softball playoffs start this weekend. I thought it might be interesting to following our Texas recruits thru the playoffs.
Bi-District round:
Katie Cimusz - Humble Atascocita won 6A Region 3 District 21 with a record of 20-6 vs Pasadena Memorial who finished 4th in District 22
Vanessa Quiroga - Corpus Christi Carroll won 5A Region 4 District 29 with a record of 24-5 vs Roma who finished 4th in District 30
Mya Holmes - Texas City 5A finished 5th Region 3 District 22 and Did not make the playoffs with a record of 7-10
Sophia Simpson - Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill won 5A Region 3 District 21 with a record of 28-2 vs Manvel who finished 4th in District 22
Mia Scott - Angleton finished 2nd in 5A Region 3 District 24 with a record of 22-5 vs Houston Northside who finished 3rd in District 23
*If Barbers Hill and Angleton both win there Bi-District games they will play each other in the Area round of the playoffs.

 

In my research I found that Miranda Elish has a little sister, Madi, who is a pitcher in the class of 2021 and has committed to Arizona. Max prep had her ranked No. 27 in the class. Found that interesting. Hope Miranda doesn't end up there for a final year.

 

Saw this the other day
Madi Elish Is Ready To Carve Her Own College Softball Path

 

Texas UIL softball playoffs.
Area round:
Katie Cimusz - Humble Atascocita 6A Region 3 District 21 winner won there bi-district game 2-0. They now play Runner-up District 24 Brazoswood.
Vanessa Quiroga - Corpus Christi Carroll 5A Region 4 District 29 winner won there bi-district game 2-0. They now play Runner-up District 32 Weslaco East.
Sophia Simpson - Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill 5A Region 3 District 21 winner won there bi-district game 2-0. They now play Runner up District 24 Angleton (Mia Scott)
Mia Scott - Angleton plays Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill noted above.
Mya Holmes - Texas City Did not make the playoffs

 

I did not realize that Vanessa Quiroga is the pitcher for Corpus Christi Carroll with a record of 21-2 this year so far on a Carroll team that is 26-5 for the year. She also has a batting average this year of .595. At least we have some more pitching on the way besides just Sophia Simpson. She was player of the year in her district.

 

She was recruited as a utility player so I'm not sure she will pitch. I do remember seeing in a video or press release that she was not recruited as a pitcher but mainly for her bat but if she is the Ace for a team like Carroll with a 21-2 record then she may get some time in the circle

 

I have a feeling we will add Pflugerville native North Texas pitcher Hope Trautwein to this class next season.

 

I have been saying this all season! We desperately need an Ace and Hope is as good as they come. Would drastically change our pitching situation.

 

Yeah, but that's just a feeling right? I mean she could end up at OU!

 

Got the chance to watch Sophia Simpson and Mia Scott in their series this week. Barbers hill swept the series and Sophia Simpson started the 2nd game allowing 5 hits, 1 BB, 2 ER and struck out 11. Two of those hits came from Mia Scott who went 2-2 and 1 walk.

I will say I'm excited about this class. Sophia Simpson is the real deal and has so many pitches in her arsenal but her changeup is just absolutely filthy! Mia Scott is also the real deal who can do it all on the offensive side. She is without a question one of if not the fastest player in the country. She is faster than Popelka and faster than KK Hayter was. At one point in the 4th inning Sophia and Mia were jawing at eachother during the AB and Scott hit a single to fight field. Sophia struck out the next batter and gave Scott a huge hug as they both went back to the dugout. I just found that to be very good as they seem to be very close with eachoter. I know at times it looks like this years team does not have good chemistry but all of the 2021 recruits seem to be close to eachother. Sorry for the essay but I'm really excited about this year's class as it addresses our every need.

 

DON'T GET MY HOPES UP!

(Thanks for the update)

 

Seen her pitch as well and she is legit. That change up is filthy.

 

I don't follow HS softball playoffs. Where are the finals held this year? I know there were a few years where the finals were held at McCombs. I assume that for fairness, these final sites rotate.

 

I believe they have always been held at McCombs field. They definitely are being held there this year.

 

Texas UIL softball playoffs
Regional Quarterfinal round:
Vanessa Quiroga - Corpus Christi Carroll 5A Region 4 District 29 winner won there area round game 2-0 against Weslaco East. They now play District 29 fourth place finisher Corpus Christi Ray.
Sophia Simpson - Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill 5A Region 3 District 21 winner won there area game over Angleton 2-0. They now play Winner District 22 Friendswood
Katie Cimusz - Humble Atascocita 6A Region 3 District 21 lost to Brazoswood 2-1 in the Area round. Atascocita made the championship game last year so I'm sure this is a disappointment for Katie.
Mia Scott - Angleton lost to Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill in the Area round.
Mya Holmes - Texas City Did not make the playoffs

 

Texas UIL softball playoffs
Regional Semifinal round:
Vanessa Quiroga - Corpus Christi Carroll 5A Region 4 District 29 winner won there Regional Quarterfinal game 2-0 against Corpus Christi Ray. They now play District 29 Winner Leander. Leander has OU commit SJ Geurin as their pitcher. They are 32-0 and ranked number one in the nation by Max prep.
Sophia Simpson - Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill 5A Region 3 District 21 winner won there Regional Quarterfinal game over Friendswood 1-0. Sophia threw a shut out while striking out 12 in a one game playoff. They now play Runner up District 19 Waller
Katie Cimusz - Humble Atascocita 6A Region 3 District 21 lost to Brazoswood 2-1 in the Area round.
Mia Scott - Angleton lost to Mount Belvieu Barbers Hill in the Area round.
Mya Holmes - Texas City Did not make the playoffs

 

Connie Clark would show up when the players are all signed. Many terrific players signed with UCLA, LSU, and other programs before she even identified them.

 

Yeah I believe that Geurin committed to ou between her freshman and sophomore year. It hurts to lose elite local girls to ou.

 

Why do mostly Softball players commit so early? Seems kinda pre mature for a 14-15 year old to be making such a life decision...

 

They can't anymore have to wait until August between Sophomore/Junior year.

 

FOMO - Fear of Missing Out for both the young player and the school.

Players encouraged to commit in order to scare off potential suitors and "save your spot".

A strong arm can only get stronger; A weak hitter can be "coached up"; A good pitcher usually doesn't lose their stuff.

Injuries at that age usually don't scare off coaches because they can redshirt before they really play and also the sport only starts playing in the Spring of the school year.

And either the kid can flip or be flipped at anytime (and dropped as well). So there's no cost to this strategy.

Connie hated it. Soccer coach Angela Kelley as well. But they had to play the game. You could see Connie's recruiting slipping away as this became a trend.

 

The rules changed last year. I knew several girls who committed in 8th grade which I always thought was ridiculous. Most of them have flamed out of their initial commitments and are at smaller schools. I'm happy the rule changed.