RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Coach Steve Jones had an amazing run in the 2017-18 year going 138-9 including winning the World Fastpitch Championship and taking 2nd at PGF 12U Nationals. The team then went 31-3-1 in the fall playing several 16U tournaments and one 18U event.
One of the anchors on this team, which last summer was part of the Diamond Sports Hotshots organization prior to joining the Texas Bombers program in November, has been outfielder Mikaylah Williams who is an athletic talent who can do everything but pitch.
The Bossier City, Louisiana player was one of the handful of “baby commits,” those talented young players who was so good so early that she was able to commit to a college of choice before entering high school and also in advance of the Early Recruiting rules that started last April.
The University of Louisiana-Lafayette is about 200 miles south of Mikaylah’s hometown and approximately a three hour drive so when Ragin’ Cajun head coach Gerry Glasco came calling, Mikaylah was excited to stay in-state.
We’ll let Coach Jones pick up the story from here as we detailed in an Extra Inning Softball article from last spring around the time she committed:
“Coach Glasco offered three of the Hotshot girls on my team that he was very interested in,” begins Coach Jones. “All three loved Gerry and the UL program after unofficial visits and were very interested but two just weren’t quite ready to verbal to a program prior to the NCAA rule changes.”
“Mikaylah is one of those gifted athletes and she and her family felt the decision was a good one for them. She is a multi-sport athlete who excels on the basketball court and on the softball field.”
“She was a catcher for several years before I converted her to the outfield this season and she has taken to it extremely well becoming a standout in that position in a short period of time. Although still developing her skill set, she is quickly becoming one of the best outfielders in her class leveraging her length and speed to give her great range in the outfield.”
“Mikaylah also happens to have one of the strongest arms in 12U at any position and regularly turns hits into outs when balls are laced to the outfield (she presently holds right field down). Outfield is her starting role but she’s an athlete and can play a decent middle infield as well.”
“Offensively she is a right-handed presence at the plate who hits for power and for average and continues to improve each week. She’s a great athlete with really good speed and is a smart base runner.”
“Mikaylah is already a standout, but her potential is through the roof which is why I believe Coach Glasco held her in such high regard.”
Here’s more on this Class of 2023 standout talent…
*****
NAME: MIKAYLAH WILLIAMS
Hometown/State: Bossier City, Louisiana
Grad Year: 2023
Position(s): Outfield/Utility
Club Team: Texas Bombers Gold – Jones
Current School/Future High School (City/State): Elm Grove Middle School / Parkway High School (Bossier City, Louisiana)
GPA: 4.0 currently; 3.77 cumulative
College: Louisiana-Lafayette
Height: 5-foot-11
Play Other Sports? Basketball
Preferred College Major: Biology
Coach’s Comments: “Mikaylah brings power, grace, speed and dedication to this game. She plays outfield most often but also comes in as an infielder and can play in just about any position except pitcher. She hits for power and for average and totally terrifies third base infielders when she’s at the plate as she often hits rockets that are treacherous propositions for infielders. An A student in school, she also excels on the basketball court and carries the nickname “Handles” on the team because of it.” – Steve Jones, Texas Bombers Gold 14U Jones
What would it mean to you to be considered as one of the top 100 players in your grad class?
Knowing the tremendous talent that is in my class, it is a huge blessing to even be considered for the Top 100!
Were you happy or bummed when the Early Recruiting Rules came out and meant you couldn’t be recruited and/or commit until shortly before the start of your junior year of high school?
I probably would say that I could have been OK either way. The work that I do every day will still continue with or without the rule.
Talk about your recruiting journey… you’re one of the very few who committed before the changes happened in April 2018… when did you commit to the Ragin’ Cajun coaches and why?
I was offered after attending a camp at ULL. I committed because I like Coach Glasco and what he is doing with the program.
What would you say has been the biggest key to your becoming a softball player who can compete at the college level?
My family and my coaches. My parents because they play a major part in me being able to do what I love by the continuous sacrifices they have made. And my coaches because they always see and want the best for me and are always looking for ways to help me improve, not only as a player but also as a young woman.
When was this first time you realized that you really loved softball and what triggered that feeling?
When I realized that I could probably be pretty good at it during 8U.
What are you looking forward to most this upcoming summer?
Traveling around the country with my teammates and making new memories.
Have you made friendships with others going to your college program? If so, who and how did you meet them?