I'd like to know more about how recruits get on people's radar. Probably a question directed at rickjs, but I'll take info from anyone. There's an enormous world of softball players in high school, how do you decide whom to follow? What's the process for becoming more knowledgeable?
Please do not take this as criticism. For me, it just shows the cyclical nature of recruiting. CTW told me that sometimes you must take a chance on a recruit you hope will pan out. That is certainly not the case in the last two years and next year. He did not have to bet on any of these ladies; they were surefire. The uploaded file is old, but it is interesting to me, and I hope it will be to you. Recruiting Many of us have wondered about recruiting over the last several years, and I thought I would look back and see what I could find. Please know that this is not a denigration of these players as people but just statistics. Many of these ladies I have spoken to personally, and they are outstanding representatives of this University. And, I think all had academic awards while here. The statistics shown are through the last year they played. Editorial-There are two players whom I think need comments. Kinsey Goelz-Her statistics could be better. But she is such an asset in the dugout that team chemistry would have been affected if she had been let go. And she is my absolute favorite. Bryn Thomas-I did list her statistics, and they could be much better. But, like Kinsey, she is one of the most positive players on the team. Plus, she hit that gapper into left-center against Team USA. That knocked out Rachel Garcia, and they had to bring Monica Abbott back in. Ken Eriksen had lost too many times to UF, and he would have been humiliated if Team USA did. There is a video that shows CTW calling that shot 2 batters before. If you have yet to see it, it is worth the search. Year Player. Pertinent Statistics. Comment 2014 Lindsey Spatola Did not play 1Year Ring 2015 Becca Shipper 4GP 3AB 0H 1Year Ring Megan Reed 2GP 2AB 1H 1Year Ring 2016 Theresa Swertfager 21GP 14AB 4H. 4Years Brooke Clemons 31GP 29AB 4H. 2Years Lily Mann. 123GP 17AB 30R 5SB 4Years Pinch Run 2017. Jacqui Switzer. 41GP 8AB 2H 18SB 1Year Pinch Run 2018. Josie Page 3GP 2AB 1H. 2Years Danielle Romanello 79GP 130AB 24H. 2Years SDSU Haven Sampson 64GP 8AB 1H 1SB. 2Years 2019 *Ordalys Cordova. No Stats Danni Farley. 3.89 2-0 13App 27IP. 2Years Amanda Beane. 34GP 4AB 1H 13R. 1Year Pinch Run Hannah Sipos. .165BA 121AB 20H. 2Years Great 3B Bryn Thomas. .061BA 33AB 2H 4Years ExTeamMate 2020 EC Taylor. 16GP 3AB 0H 9R. 1Year Starts UPitt Mia Buffano. 59GP 4AB 0H 4R. 3Years 2021 Haley Pittman. 3.61 2-0 21.1IP 25H. 2Years Troy Kali Reis. 32GP 16AB 0H 8R. Less Than 1Year Christina Wellen. 19GP 0AB 9R. 2ndYear Pinch Run *Ordalys redshirted at UF during her freshman year due to an injury. She transferred and played 2 years at CCF in Ocala. To finish her career, she transferred to South Alabama.
Great stuff Scrappy. Even some who seem like "sure bet stars" coming out out high school don't pan out to be as good as projected because either they hit their potential young or don't put in the extra work needed to develop their skills. I can think of several Gator players in the past who fit that description. Others exceed what people thought their ceiling would be. By the way, Christina Wellen is at Charlotte. Last year she appeared in 50 games, primarily as a pinch-runner and defensive specialist in the OF. Had 3 starts.
2019-2021 definetley were a little bit of a struggle. I'm glad most of them were able to find playing time elsewhere. Sipos was a terrific 3b though. Just no offense. I think Reis might've been in the same boat. Theresa Swertfeger... the designated bunter.
Buford lost today in the final 4-3 to East Coweta. Not sure on stats. Maybe rick will post them. Didn't mean to run him off when i started the conversation about 2 threads. Sorry to everyone.
Great post, Scrappy. Fun to relive the old names/memories from the past. I met Danni's mom at an exhibition game at Santa Fe college -- very nice woman. She talked up how much Danni was used as in infielder in HS and loved that as much if not more than pitching. After looking at some stats, I was convinced she was the next Aleshia Ocasio -- pitch in rotation, play the field on non-pitching days. I rode that bandwagon until the wheels came of, it crashed, and burned. Boy was I wrong.
Yeah, me too. I remembered the HS recruit thread that you mentioned so I figured resuming that would be a good thing and Rick could teach us all a thing or two. In a million years, I had no idea that he'd get upset and leave. I looked into just deleting this thread cuz maybe that would bring him back, but apparently you have to be a mod. I'm also sorry to everyone!
From what I've read, Danni Farley stayed at Florida and got her degree. Kali Reis, also got her degree from UF and is now a successful sales rep for Milwaukee Tool in Atlanta. Mia Buffano got her UF degree in Events Management and currently works here: https://www.rutheckerdhall.com/ Haven Sampson has degree from UF & UGA, and is a realtor in Madison, Georgia
