2019 commitment stories
These are the recruiting stories of ScoutU athletes. ScoutU oftentimes writes stories on its athletes after they commit to a college. All have unique stories on how ScoutU helped them with their recruiting and the recruiting journey they took.
Fauske commits to D2 Northern State
December 20, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Ashley Fauske has positional versatility, great speed and excellent academics. These traits made her an ideal recruit for many softball programs. Recently, Fauske made her decision and committed to Northern State University, an NCAA Division II in South Dakota.
ScoutU’s Jason Lauren knew that Fauske’s quickness (2.75 20-yard dash) is perfect for the top of any lineup.
“Ashley is the versatile slap hitter colleges covet,” Lauren said. “Not only can she power slap, soft slap and drag bunt, but she also bats right handed, making her a weapon at the plate. She is a natural right-handed hitter, but with her 2.75 speed, she switched over to being primarily a slap hitter.” … READ MORE
Hansen commits to top academic college
November 28, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Katie Hansen wasn’t just looking for playing time or the chance to join an impressive college basketball program. She wanted to go somewhere that would have a strong impact on the rest of her life.
This led to Hansen committing to Hamilton College, which is ranked as the 14th-best liberal arts school in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Hamilton is an NCAA Division III school located in Clinton, N.Y.
“Hamilton stood out to me, because the coach is as passionate about basketball as I am and has the energy to push me to get better,” Hansen said. … READ MORE
Nielsen achieves goal of finding D2 school
November 21, 2019
By ScoutU staff
Sam Nielsen grew up on a golf course and always dreamed of playing at the collegiate level. Last week, that dream came true when he signed his scholarship with St. Cloud State University.
Nielsen, who is from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, choose the NCAA Division II school, because it was big enough to give him the college feel, but not so big that it was overwhelming.
“I was looking to play D2 golf, and St. Cloud State is where my grandpa went to college,” Nielsen said. “I also have family in the Minneapolis area.” … READ MORE
ScoutU’s Dailey heads north to D1 Maine
November 14, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
When ScoutU’s Scott Woodcock first sat down with Kyrah Dailey, he learned something unusual about the softball player from Wahoo, Nebraska. Dailey said that she likes the cold and the snow.
So it should be no surprise that Dailey committed to NCAA Division I University of Maine.
“Maine was absolutely beautiful,” Dailey said. “The coaches were super welcoming, and we had great conversations about how the program operated like family. The great community surrounding the university and the Midwestern mentality of the people there made me feel at home.” … READ MORE
ScoutU’s Mauk plays big, despite small size
November 5, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Keelie Mauk may not have great size at 5-foot-0, 125 pounds, but she has all the tools that college coaches are looking for. The Lafayette, Ga., 2020 prospect evaluated her three offers and decided to play for Montreat College, an NAIA program in North Carolina.
“Keelie took a methodical approach to things,” said ScoutU’s Scott Woodcock. “She doesn’t fit the typical recruiting box many coaches operate in as she’s only 5 feet tall, but Keelie plays much bigger. She has one of the best gloves I’ve seen and isn’t afraid to go horizontal when necessary. She doesn’t have blazing speed, but being a left-handed hitter makes her a pretty valuable asset. Keelie has too many intangibles to list, but at the end of the day, she’s going to put them all together and make some things happen.”
… READ MORE
Katz ‘beyond excited’ to commit to SCSU
October 29, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Isaiah Katz has continued to improve throughout high school, and ScoutU Owner/Milwaukee Area Scout Jason Lauren believes his best is still yet to come. St. Cloud State University will be the home for Katz’s college career after the 2020 right-handed pitcher recently committed to the Huskies.
St. Cloud State, an NCAA Division II program in Minnesota, has reached the national tournament each of the last five seasons while averaging 42 wins. Head coach Pat Dolan has been at the helm for 12 years and racked up 478 victories. … READ MORE
Clausen commits to Division III powerhouse
October 22, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Lauren Clausen totaled 26 wins and 283 strikeouts during the last two seasons. When you compile numbers like that, it opens doors to some of the best softball programs in the nation.
Recently Clausen committed to Trine University, an NCAA Division III school in Indiana. The Thunder are coming off a 37-8 season that included a run to the Final Four. Trine also posted a winning percentage .800 or better every year from 2012-15.
Braley commits to D2 Columbus State in GA
October 15, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Alyssa Braley knew what she was looking for during her college search. She wanted to stay close to home, find a great coaching staff and major in criminal justice. The 2021 catcher/third baseman checked all those boxes with Columbus State University, an NCAA Division II school in her home state of Georgia.
“I am really excited to be able to play softball in college,” Braley said. “I have worked very hard for this opportunity, and I am grateful.”
Braley, who owns a 1.75 pop time and a 62 mph overhand throw, had many colleges contact her after becoming a ScoutU prospect. Chattanooga (TN) Scout Scott Woodcock began working with Alyssa last fall.
Murray finds perfect fit at D2 school
October 7, 2019
By Jon Feyen
ScoutU
Ryleigh Murray had accepted the fact that she’d been overlooked during the recruiting process. Then ScoutU’s Scott Woodcock saw her play — and was surprised that she wasn’t committed yet.
After talking with 15 different colleges and taking several visits, Murray committed to Fort Valley State University, an NCAA Division II school in Georgia. And it didn’t take long, as she found her home within one month of becoming a ScoutU prospect last spring.
Murray, who is a 2019 graduate from Dalton, GA, always dreamed of playing at the next level.
“My parents made it clear to me that I would further my education, whether I played ball or not, so that fact that playing a sport I love is going to help me do that is amazing,” Murray said. “It is hard to express how excited and nervous I am to continue my softball career.” … READ MORE
Spell commits to DI George Washington
April 2, 2019
By ScoutU staff
When ScoutU Southeast Head Scout Scott Woodcock first saw Madison Spell play, he immediately knew she had what it takes to play in college.
College coaches agreed as the 2020 ScoutU softball prospect received serious interest from several colleges before recently verbally committing to play at
“
“All of that aside,
ScoutU’s Merfeld commits to Saint Mary’s
March 14, 2019
By ScoutU staff
Brandon Merfeld had all the athleticism and speed colleges covet. The problem was, however, the colleges weren’t aware of him.
When ScoutU Head Scout Jason Lauren started helping Merfeld in July 2018 before his senior year at La Crosse Aquinas High School in Wisconsin, he had no offers and very little interest, despite his elite 6.60 60-yard speed, 35-inch vertical and numerous accolades in high school.
Fast forward about 8 months later and Merfeld received eight offers and phone calls from about 25 schools. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound, lefty-hitting outfielder recently committed to Saint Mary’s University, an NCAA Division III school in Minnesota. … READ MORE
