16U ASA Nationals: Salpointe’s Dana Hughes & Desert Thunder Gold all set
by Andy Morales on Jun. 18, 2010, under Sports16U ASA Nationals
College Station, Texas
August 1-6
It is probably one of the most important recruiting events in club softball. ASA Nationals at the 16U level is prime recruiting grounds for college coaches who want to avoid watching players who have already picked a school.
There are no more trading pins (for the most part), parents have finally begun to realize their actions can either help or hurt their child’s chances of being recruited (for the most part) and the burn-out factor can either claim a child or make her stronger.
As you will see, there are a few Southern Arizona players who have found a home in Phoenix when it comes to club ball.
Arizona Hotshots Creed
Dana Hughes
Dana Hughes, Salpointe (2011), utility player.
Hotshots-Creed qualified by winning the 16U Western Nationals last year. Hughes has a very high GPA and is a steady player. She will be a leader for Salpointe next year as the team loses a few All-State players and selects a new head coach. She can play any position and can pitch if required.
Desert Thunder Gold – Kelly Fowler
Kayla Henry, Canyon del Oro
Mattie Fowler, Canyon del Oro
Sammi Noland, Canyon del Oro
Hannah Sullivan, Canyon del Oro
Val Mendoza, Canyon del Oro
Danielle Colwill, Ironwood Ridge
Nikki Dunlap hugs catcher Sam Miller after Willcox won the 2A State Championship
Mariah Rodriguez, Mt. View
Chelsea Dohrwardt, Tucson
Kaitlin Wilson, Buena
Morgan McKeever, Sahuaro
Betsy Erickson, Sahuaro
Nikki Dunlap, Willcox
Brae Roy, Westview
Kayla Laguna, Salpointe
Tory Herzberg, Perry
DT Gold qualified by going undefeated at a National Qualifier held in Colorado in May. If this roster reads like an All-Star list then you are up on your softball. Almost all of them are projected to be first-team athletes next year in their respective conferences and most of them will commit to a school this summer.
There is plenty of time between now and August and this team will remain busy. They will be traveling to New Jersey to play in the Rising Stars “Rocks” Showcase (June 23-25), the Boulder Independence Showcase (Longmont) in Colorado (June 30-July 4) and the Champions Cup in California (July 8-12).
Wednesday, June 23
DT Gold vs. Team Florida, 2:40 pm
DT Gold vs. Central Jersey Lightning, 4:20 pm
Thursday, June 24
DT Gold vs. Texas Storm Elite, 9:20 am
DT Gold vs. LA Voodoo, 1 pm
DT Gold vs. PA Tuff-N-Tuffer, 6 pm
Friday, June 25
DT Gold vs. Gold Coast Hurricanes, 8 am
DT Gold vs. Florida Select, 9:40 am
DT Gold vs. Virginia Shamrocks, 11:20 am
June 30
DT Gold vs. Oklahoma Force 94, 8 am
DT Gold vs. Illinois Southern Force, 11:30 am
July 1
DT Gold vs. Atlanta Vipers, 4:45 pm
DT Gold vs. Huntsville Sparks, 8:15 pm
July 2
DT Gold vs. California Batbusters, 9:45 am
DT Gold vs. Lakewood Ladies, 1:15 pm
