International Players in the A10

With the recent signings of Sydney Cicchetti and Leah Sitter, both natives of Canada, it is worth looking at some other international players who could make an impact in the A10.

Australia: is a hotbed of softball talent, including current NCAA players Kaia Parnaby of Hawaii, Simone Freeman of Oklahoma State, Ellen Roberts of Memphis, and Nikki Hollett of Troy. More players are coming next year, including Georgia Casey who is headed to Oklahoma.

Here are a few players that A10 teams should take a look at:

Emily Smethurst: the sister of Australian national team ace Justine Smethurst, Emily pitched for Tallahassee CC this past year going 15-9 with a 1.95 ERA and she could be a valuable pitcher for some team.

Rachael Sechi: is on Australia's Junior National team and she is a very versatile player with the ability to play catcher, 3B, and outfield. She has been the catcher for Oklahoma recruit Georgia Casey and she called the pitches as well for her squad that won the U19 Australian National Championship.

Jessica Meyer: is a middle infielder for the Australian Junior National team and she was named the best batter at Australia's U19 Championships. Meyer is a stud and she is going to be a fun one to watch.

Marina Walker: is also a middle infielder for the Aussie Pride and may be the best young player in Australia. Walker was named the most valuable player at the U19 Championships and she would be an outstanding pickup for an A10 team.

Brazil: hasn't been known for producing softball talent, but that notion has been changing thanks to Chattanooga's Vivian Morimoto who hit a scorching .402 this year for the Mocs. More players have matriculated to the US and the Brazilians will be making their presence known in the year to come.

Here are some players to take a look at:

Sayumi Akamine

Sayumi Akamine: played for Chipola College in Florida and she hit .336 with 24 steals. Akamine's speed could make her a valuable asset to any program. Her lefthanded bat should find a home with a four year program.

Veronika Fukunishi: played for Miami Dade CC this past season and she hit a respectable .374 with 7 HR and 43 RBI. Fukunishi is a lefthanded hitting outfielder/catcher and she swings a powerful bat.

Cynthia Takahashi: played for Miami Dade CC and the Brazilian National team member hit .400 with 25 RBI, while picking up 15 steals. Takahashi is a solid well rounded player who swings a solid lefthanded bat and does a nice job patrolling the outfield.

Samira Tanaka: played for Miami Dade CC as well and she has an outstanding season in 2011, hitting .430 with 65 hits and 21 steals. Tanaka is a lefthanded hitting 2nd basemen and she has some good wheels on her.

Canada: has produced some great talent, including former NCAA player of the year Danielle Lawrie, A10 pitcher of the year Kaila Holtz, Big East pitcher of the year Jenna Caira, and All Americans Jen Yee and Jenn Salling. There is a lot of good talent in Canada and A10 teams should definitely take advantage of that.

Here some players that could make an impact in the A10:

Charlotte Dolan

Charlotte Dolan: was on UCLA's national championship team last year, but the powerful catcher is no longer at UCLA and she could make a huge impact at any school that she chooses to attend.

Shannon Davidson: was the 5-hole hitter for Canada's Junior National team at the Junior Pan-Am Championships. Davidson can play second base and she can also see some time in the circle as well. She is a left handed bat that will be a nice addition to some program.

Olivia Hornstein: was one of the youngest players on Canada's Junior National team and her international experience could definitely help any team. Hornstein is a throws and hit lefty and she is capable of playing 1B or any of the outfield positions.

Netherlands: most people don't think of the Netherlands as a hotbed for softball talent, but they should rethink that thought, especially after watching Cal's fabulous freshmen Britt Vonk. The Netherlands has one of the top developmental programs in Europe and there are some more talented players who could make a big impact on any program that they choose to join.

Here are some players that A10 teams should look at:

Eva Voortman

Anne and Maaike Blaauwgeers: are twin outfielders who play Junior College ball for Central Arizona and they  could add instant depth to an outfield somewhere. Anne hit .324 with 16 steals for Central Arizona, while Maaike hit .429. Both of them are D1 ready.

Eva Voortman: is a young lefthanded pitcher hailing from the Netherlands and she could be a nice addition to an A10 pitching staff. Voortman threw 8 innings on the Dutch National team's US tour earlier this year allowing just 2 ER in 8 innings against college competition.

New Zealand: the Kiwis are known for playing solid fundamental softball and while there are only a few playing right now: Lara Andrews of Delaware and Melanie Gettins of Iona, the success of those two should encourage other teams to take a look.

Here are a couple players to keep an eye on:

Rita Hokianga: one of the youngest members of the New Zealand national team, Hokianga would bring international experience to any team's pitching staff. Hokianga is already being recruited by some other colleges in the US and A10 teams should take a serious look at her. Hokianga threw 27 innings for New Zealand last year, picking up 19 SO, while maintaining a 1.01 ERA. One other thing that makes Hokianga intriguing is the fact that she is lefthanded.

Kingsley Avery: is a young outfielder on the New Zealand national team and she has a very high upside. Avery hit .421 with a HR, 8 RBI, and 7 steals in 16 games for the national team. Avery is definitely a special talent and she is going to make an impact somewhere.

Beth Stavert is another Kiwi pitcher to watch

The ISF Junior World Championships will be played this June and it could be an excellent opportunity for to see some more New Zealand players.

Puerto Rico:

Here are a few to watch:

Kiara Nazario: played for Miami Dade CC and hit .374 with 58 hits and she had a staggering 35 steals on the year. With that speed she is definitely a player to watch. Nazario also served as the leadoff hitter for Puerto Rico's Junior National team.