Recruiting: Thinking Outside the Box

Sometimes recruiting habits form and coaches look to just a few travel teams or a certain area to fill their recruiting classes. This approach has worked, but it's always good to think outside the box sometimes and go outside of comfort zones, whether it is looking at JUCO players or international one. You never know where you are going to find a program changing player.

Currently the Atlantic 10 has just one JUCO transfer in URI rising senior Ashley Olson. Olson was an impact player for the Rams in 2013, as she hit .270 with 24 hits, 2 HR, and 13 RBI. JUCO players come in a little more seasoned than freshmen and can contribute right away.

Here are a few JUCO and international players that could be impact players in the Atlantic 10:

Rita Hokianga

Rita Hokianga, LHP, Eastern Arizona College, New Zealand
Hokianga stands at just 5'3", but this Kiwi packs a punch. Hokianga has pitched for the New Zealand Junior National Team, in addition to tossing for Eastern Arizona. Hokianga fared fairly well in her first season in the United States, as she went 22-6 with a 1.40 ERA and 252 SO in 219 IP. Hokianga's international experience and southpaw look would make her a great addition to an A10 team.

Courtney Gettins, RHP, New Zealand
Gettins is one of the youngest players to ever pitch for the New Zealand National Team, as she made her debut at age 16. Gettins sister Melanie Gettins was a standout catcher at Iona. Gettins is a winner, as she has done so at both the national and international level.

Stephanie Trzcinski, RHP, Australia
Trzcinski is a pitcher on the Australian Junior National Team and she would be a fine addition to an Atlantic 10 school. She was named the most valuable pitcher at the Elinor McKenzie Shield, which is Australia's U19 Championship. Some past winners of that same award include Georgia Casey (Oklahoma), Simone Freeman (Oklahoma State), Kaia Parnaby (Hawaii), and Kristen Wadwell (Louisville)

Eva Voortman

Eva Voortman, LHP, Chipola, Netherlands
Voortman is a lefty pitcher from the Netherlands who currently plays for Chipola College in FL. Voortman is a crafty southpaw that could be a real impact pitcher in the circle for an Atlantic 10 school. Voortman has experience pitching in the US for Chipola College and internationally for the Dutch Junior and Senior National Teams. Voortman went 23-3 with a 0.95 ERA in the circle in 2013 for Chipola.

Letiticia Matsuoka, OF, Northwest Florida State, Brazil
Matsuoka is a speedy Brazilian outfielder for Northwest Florida State and she could be an immediate starter. Matsuoka hit .420 with 68 hits, 6 HR, 49 RBI, and 4 steals for Northwest Florida State. She has experience playing for Brazil and in a tough JUCO league in Florida.

Maria Ueno, IF, Miami Dade, Brazil
Ueno is a left handed hitting infielder from Brazil who is currently starring for Miami Dade. Ueno hit .372 with 51 hits, 1 HR, 35 RBI, and 3 steals. Ueno did all that in her first season in the United States and should have a high learning curve out there.

Raquelli Bianco, P, Miami Dade, Brazil
Bianco is one of the first Brazilian pitchers to throw in the United States and she has been very successful in the circle and at the plate for Miami Dade. Bianco hit .342 with 26 hits, 3 HR, and 19 RBI. In the circle, Bianco went 10-3 with a 2.27 ERA and 116 SO in 103 IP.

Some others to look at:
Rosanne de Vries LHP/OF, Chipola, Netherlands
Floor van Dijk, C (R/R), Gulf Coast, Netherlands
Lynn Dollekamp, 2B/OF, Florida State College, Netherlands
Marjolein Merkx, P, Florida State College, Netherlands
Greta Longagnani, P, Pensacola State, Italy
Lara Cecchetti, IF (R/R), Polk State, Italy
Ivona Firicka, OF, Polk State, Czech Republic
Stefania Aradillas 2B (R/R), Mt. SAC, Mexico
Te Reo Powhiri Matautia, OF (L/R), Tallahassee, New Zealand
Krysta Hoani, RHP (R/R), Tallahassee, New Zealand
Tammy McMillan, IF (R/R), Tallahassee, Australia
Karla Claudio, RHP/OF (R/R), Santa Fe, Puerto Rico
Galis Lozada Reyes, SS/OF (S/R), Santa Fe, Puerto Rico
Sian Colee, C (R/R), Gulf Coast, Australia
Nicole Miller, C (L/R), Indian River, Canada

Future International Players in the Atlantic 10:
Madison Clarke 2014 P Canada (St. Joseph's)

Past International Players in the Atlantic 10:
Jessica Tolmie P Australia (Temple)
Kaila Holtz P Canada (UMass)
Syndey Cicchetti P Canada (Dayton)
Leah Sitter OF Canada (Dayton)

American Born Players for Foreign National Teams
Candice Molinari OF Italy (UMass)
Davina Hernandez OF Puerto Rico (UMass)