Teammates & Friends Lexie Hames & Ariel Krueger Commit to Different ACC Schools… Says One: “I’m Just Gonna Have to Strike Her Out!”

This a happy update of a story we did earlier earlier in the month when 2025 Extra Elite 100 honorees Lexie Hames and Ariel Kureger, teammates on the Carolina Elite – Fusetti travel team, both tripped together to Clemson University (article reprinted below).

Clemson is having an excellent recruiting class and batted .500 in getting one of the talented junior prospects as Lexi has recently committed to the Tigers. Ariel, on the other hand, found the offer and opportunity to attend and compete at Duke University too hard to turn down.

That’s right, both teammates now, they’ll soon be facing each other in the competitive ACC… and how will that go?

Carolina Elite Head Coach Dana Fusetti got an early insight into what could happen when the day comes that Lexie, a pitcher from Pennsylvania, faces Ariel, a middle infielder from Michigan.

“They are very close friends,” the coach explains, “but when I spoke to Lexie, she told me now that Ariel will be playing at Duke, she’s just gonna have to strike her out. I about died laughing!”

LEXIE: “A DREAM ENDING”

Hames, ranked in the Top 5 of the 2025 Extra Elite 100, says she will never forget her September recruiting experiences.

“These past couple of weeks have been the most overwhelming and exciting weeks of my life,” the pitcher admits. “But, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I am so extremely blessed to have the opportunities that I did and have the recruiting experience of my dreams.”

“I am so thankful I got to be a part of such an amazing process, and tried to soak up every minute of it although my schedule these past couple of weeks has been crazy! I would go to school, come home, do a couple hours of homework, go pitch/hit/workout, talk to coaches do a little more homework and go to sleep.”

The Clemson commit says that, although stressful, the recruiting experience was one she loved.

“It was a little difficult with time management and I probably stressed myself out a little more than needed but it ended up being OK. Even though it may sound busy, I loved every minute of it. What was definitely an overwhelming process came to a dream ending and I have nothing but excitement moving forward on a journey that is just beginning.”

ARIEL: “TRUST GOD’S PLAN”

Krueger, herself a Top 50 selection in the 2025 Extra Elite 100, admits that the recruiting process did have its share of ups and downs.

“Being committed is such a refreshing feeling, if that makes sense,” she explains. “It feels like a sense of relief, but also the feeling of ‘the journey has only begun.’ I know that being committed is only the start of the amazing journey I’m now a part of!”

“During the recruiting process, it was very difficult trusting the process at times. There were definitely times—and I feel like I can speak on behalf of all committed players on this—that I got very discouraged when things weren’t going the way I had hoped. In those times, I always had to remind myself to trust God’s plan and that everything happens for a reason.”

THEIR PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

Lexie’s mother shares a surprise that not many know: at one time the elite pitcher thought about hanging up her cleats, but then a mentor came along to help her fall in love again.

“Chase and I are super excited about Lexie’s commitment to Clemson,” begins the proud mom. “What a difference a year makes, too. When we moved from our last team to Carolina Elite, Lexie really was second guessing playing travel.  She just came off a phenomenal school season but in travel she was missing that coach that advocated for her and believed in her.”

“Coach Dana really focused on building that coach/player relationship and building up Lexie.  This resonated with her and she just started being Lexie! She finally was able to show everyone who she was as a player and person.  We are so proud of her and excited to be a part of the Clemson Family.  Go Tigers!”

Ariel’s father, Mark, admits there was a tough side of the process, as well… one that neither player or family expected to be so difficult.

“It was a blessing that Ariel got all the attention she did from college coaches,” he begins, “but the hard part about it is having to make the difficult phone calls to coaches telling them she was going with another program. It was a very emotional process and one that she didn’t expect would be so incredibly hard.”

“Still, I have loved watching her grow throughout this recruiting process and that’s the best part for me and also that Ariel will be a part of the Duke powerhouse softball program and attend one of the top academic institutions in the country! Go Blue Devils!”

COACH DANA: “EXTREME EXPECTATIONS”

Fusetti practically beams when she speaks of her two recent commits.

“I was amazed at how both of these players when they came to me did not have that many schools on them like they should have,” Coach Dana remembers. “I demanded a lot from them and I put extreme expectations on them but I do this to all my players only because I know how much work I put into helping them realize their dreams.”

“Every athlete I’ve ever had comes in one way and leaves completely different; able to handle pressure and find success by working hard and fighting for it!”

“I am still pretty old school and hold my athletes accountable because, whatever program they commit to, they are not only representing themselves, their family, and their community, but also our Carolina Elite Genovese/Fusetti organization. The work I put into my players it’s not only for them to realize their dreams, but it’s also to help pave success for the younger athletes yet to come.”

And the travel coach says she gets as excited as her players when they get to live their dreams.

“I am so proud of Ariel and Lexie as well as Tessa Autrey, a UNC Charlotte commit; Madden McMahon-Waters, committed to Gardner Webb and Mackenzie Reese, headed to Pitt as well as my two 2024’s–Savannah Scott and Allison Amadio—who have to commit but will soon see their dreams come true as well.”

HELP ALONG THE WAY

Both athletes are quick to give thanks and appreciation to those who helped them on their journeys.

Ariel says she really loves her “crazy softball parents.”

“It was difficult having to make some of the sacrifices I did,” Ariel, the Blue Devil commit begins, “but something even more difficult is being able to truly give justice to the amount of gratitude I have for my parents’ sacrifices for me. They have sacrificed way more than I could even think of, whether it be flying to another state and having to book tickets the day before or spending countless hours and money on helping me and my game grow.”

“My parents are what you call ‘crazy softball parents,’ for example, driving 11 hours down to South Carolina through the night for a practice!”

“Something that I learned as I progressed in this process was to not compare my journey to anyone else’s. Different coaches look for different things, and that’s what best helped me showcase my best attributes. I know I have so much work ahead, but I’m excited for all of it and proud to be a Blue Devil!”

Lexie agrees that she had a lot of help along the way, too.

“I am so thankful and have so much gratitude for the people who have helped me get here,” she explains. “Especially my amazing parents; my travel ball coach, Coach Fusetti, who spends crazy amounts of time for her players; and my pitching/hitting Coach, Jim Moats.  I seriously feel like I am on Cloud Nine. I am so beyond excited to continue my journey at Clemson and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

*****

Recruiting: 2025 Standouts Lexie Hames and Ariel Krueger on Clemson Campus This Weekend

Originally published Sept. 16, 2023 on Extra Inning Softball

So what are you doing this weekend?

Some, like my son—a high school senior—are going to their Homecoming Dance at school. Others are outdoors enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and (hopefully) good weather.

And then there’s a pair of Carolina Elite – Fusetti teammates who we profiled recently on how September 1 began for each when college coaches could first reach out to those in the Class of 2025.

• Click HERE to read the article on Ariel Krueger
• Click HERE to read the article on Lexie Hames

The dynamic duo – Ariel a middle infielder from Michigan and Lexie a pitcher from Pennsylvania – are both in South Carolina this weekend on the campus of Clemson University.

The pair are taking a visit this weekend to check out the Tigers’ campus and arrived early on Friday.

Both told Extra Inning Softball today that they had a ball trying on the purple and orange softball uniforms of the ACC school, touring the softball facility and student dorms and even got a ride around campus in a golf cart driven by softball head coach John Rittman.

Saturday morning they had breakfast and then relaxed by listening to some country tunes by Zach Bryan and checking out more of the Clemson experience before heading to the campus for a 4:30 pm EST tailgate party in advance of Clemson football hosting Florida Atlantic; Ariel and Lexie will be two of the estimated 80,000 fans who are expected to attend the game at Memorial Stadium, also known as “Death Valley.”

One cool aspect of this weekend’s trip I that Ariel and her father are taking advantage of is staying in a hotel on campus. Lexie and her parents, meanwhile, are staying at Carolina Elite Head Coach Dana Fusetti’s home, about 45 minutes away from campus as this weekend is an unofficial for her by choice (but it is still a strong possibility for the outstanding pitcher).

Lexie says that staying with Coach Dana is a give-and-take proposition.

“She gives us the food and we give her the Mountain Dew,” she joked.

The pitcher says she is enjoying the free time on Saturday, but probably to her parent’s detriment.

“I’m having fun just looking around campus and shopping,” she continues, “and probably shopping too much. I don’t think so, but my parents unfortunately do!”

The teammates are enjoying this time together and both say they would love to have each other on their future college team, but it’s not a big factor in their decisions.

“Yea,” Ariel agrees, “it’d be great to play with Lexie but it’s not like it has to happen as we each have to do what’s best for us. It’d be so cool, though, although it’s not an extreme factor in our final decisions.”

Next weekend, Ariel will take an official visit to the University of Michigan while Lexie will be at Penn State and, the week after that, at Baylor.

Previously, Ariel took an unofficial campus visit to Duke and then an official trip to Michigan State. Lexie has taken one official before this weekend, to Virginia.

Both players have admitted finalizing their school of choice is going to be the hardest decision ever.

When asked what they’re looking for in a university, Ariel explained:

“I’m looking for a feeling of peace that I will get when I’m on the campus and, if I have any doubts, then I’ll know that’s not the school for me,” she states. “I want to be on a team with players who are close with their coaches as well as a school that’s competitive and good academics—I’m thinking of going into Biology and someday becoming a dentist.”

Lexie explains that she’s looking for a “double threat” program.

“I want a school that is competitive in softball and also has strong academics,” she says. “I’m looking for a feeling of family and home. I like to describe myself as a social person so I’m also looking for a school where I can build and have strong social relationships for life.”

EIS will continue to monitor the recruiting journeys of these two standout players ranked in the Top 50 of the 2025 Extra Elite 100 and will update their status as the continue to visit college campuses.

Finally, here are their social media sites for those that want to follow these two future college talents:

Ariel:

• Twitter: @arielkrueger32
• Instagram: @arielkruegerr

Lexie:

• Twitter: @lexiehames2025
• Instagram: @lexie_hames22

— Brentt Eads/Extra Inning Softball

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