The Last Inning (May 26, 2020): Spotlighting Texas Riptide 07-Quentel

Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning.

We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.

To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at [email protected]. You can also send items/story ideas to Carlos Arias via email at [email protected] or via Twitter @Los_Stuff.

Here’s our TLI for Thursday, May 26, 2020 …

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12U CLUB SCOUTING REPORT

Extra Inning Softball posted the Extra Elite Eighty 12U Club Rankings earlier this month, so TLI will continue to take a look at the top club teams in the nation.

Here’s a look at Daira Quentel’s team …

TEXAS RIPTIDE 07-QUENTEL

Extra Elite Eighty Ranking: #53

2019 Fall Record: 54-14-1 with multiple victories over 14U teams.

2020 Spring Record: 30-8-2 with a first place at 14U March Madness and notable victories over Texas Cyclones 14U, Impact Gold 14U-Florence, Texas Lady Aces 14U. Texas Bombers Gold-Villegas, Hotshots Premier HTX and Texas Bombers Gold-Cruz.

Returners:

• Alisa Sneed (2025, CF/UT, a true 5-tool softball prodigy with a high softball IQ. She possesses unparalleled athleticism when you combine a 2.6 home-to-first time with HR power from both sides of the plate. Considered by many as one of the best 2025 prospects in the country, while batting .522 in lead-off position. She’s hit 16 home runs and has tireless work ethic. She is also a game changer on defense with a cannon for an arm and the ability and instinct to make nearly impossible plays look routine)
• Kaci Gobert (2025, C/OF, a catcher who is very involved in the game and hates giving up free bases. She always welcomes the challenge of would be base stealers. Kaci is relentless, hard-working and the first and last on and off the field. She is a classic long ball hitter who can take the ball out of the park. She also plays outfield and takes her cannon arm who raises doubts in all who try to advance extra bases. She batted .443 with 20 RBIs)
• Mia Montemayer (2025, C, a classic power hitter with explosive pop off the bat. Batted .373 with 20 RBIs. She is always an offensive threat at the plate. She is a strong defensive catcher and possesses one of the strongest arms. She has good situational awareness on the field and is a tireless worker who is always improving her game)
• Abbey Papadimitriou (2025, 1B/P, a clutch, power alley, line-drive hitter who goes with the pitch. She hits above average and has a high OBP. She’s a strong defensive first baseman, very competitive and a good leader on the field who knows and thinks the game. She batted .532 with 28 RBIs. As a pitcher she is fearless and always ready to take the mound no matter what team she is facing)
• Isela Flores (2025, P/1B, a strong consistent pitcher who throws with a lot of speed and power. Her strength and size can intimidate batters. At her best, she’s is almost unhittable and continues to add pitches to her arsenal. She was 6-2 with a 2.93 ERA in 18 Games. She brings a powerful bat offensively)
• Madi Avarado (2025, P/1B, a vocal team leader in and out of the circle. She’s great pitching out of tough situations and has tremendous work ethic. She leads the team in a positive manner. She was 4-0 with a 4.23 ERA in 11 games. She also brings home run power to the plate. She batted .333 with eight RBIs)
• Lexi Durao (2025, P/Corner, a power pitcher who is unhittable when she is in the groove. She works very hard in the circle and commands her pitches well. She is athletic and can play anywhere. She was 9-3 with a 3.93 ERA in 19 games. She is a long ball hitter who also bats for average. She batted .394 with 24 RBIs)
• Addi Smith (2025, SS/2B, a smooth, rangy middle infielder with excellent bilateral range and a strong arm. She initiates a lot of double plays. She is a high IQ, all-around OBP)
• Avery Pickens (2026, 3B/OF, a consistent contact hitter that hits the ball extremely hard. She hits powerful line drives along with her share of home runs. She’s aggressive at the plate and owns the batter’s box. She is a game changer. She batted .413 with 22 RBIs and she is fearless at 3B and in the outfield)
• Rhilynn McCoy (2026, SS/UT, an aggressive, quick middle fielder with an incredible quick release. She is an excellent base runner and capitalizes on mental and defensive mistakes by the opposition. She is a good utility player and can play almost any position. She’s a slapper who puts tremendous pressure on defense. She batted .327 with eight RBIs)
• Marigny Thomas (2026, OF, an extremely coachable, talented athlete. She is a major offensive threat at the plate. She is a versatile hitter who can play small ball or display major home run power. She batted .393 with 15 RBIs. She is built for speed and is a tremendous base runner. She’s a great defensive outfielder. With her speed, she covers a lot of ground)
• Hunter Quentel (2027, P/2B/UT, a strong middle infielder and utility player. She has tremendous range and covers a lot of ground. She makes tough plays, including backhands, look routine. She’s a strong, consistent hitter. She is a great clutch hitter, one you want to have at the plate when the game is on the line. She batted .500 with 29 RBIs. She’s also an accomplished pitcher. She has a big variety of pitches that she throws very well, which makes her so dominant. She went 4-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 11 games)

Newcomers:

• Ella Lozano (2025, P/Corner, the newest member in the circle with a dominating combo of spin and speed. She keeps batters off balance with her wicked change-up. She has good accuracy with her spots and recognizes what adjustments are necessary. She also brings a powerful bat to the plate with home run power)
• Alexia Ruiz (2025, C, she prides herself on becoming the best defensive catcher around. She is coachable, strong, and takes pride in gunning down anyone who tries to steal on her with her powerful cannon of an arm. She is a very talented offensive weapon with intimidating home run power)

What will it take for your team to be successful this year? First and foremost the ability to get to play softball at all this year. Our dedication to our team and all of the hard work our athletes are putting in to be the best so we can and take our team to the next level.

Can you talk about your pitching staff? As a staff, our pitchers can take on any team in the nation and I feel so confident in their abilities to keep us in games. If I had to pick our starting pitcher right now, I could honestly choose any one of them because they all have their tools of trade. It would be a close tossup between Isela, Lexi and Hunter depending on the situation and the team. At this point in time, I would choose Isela. She is one of our older pitchers and as long as we stay away from walks, she feeds the defense and does not give up any big hits. I have a feeling Ella is going to become a force to be reckoned with in the circle, but after just one tournament with us it is hard to say she’s the starting role right now.

Describe your offense and what some of the strengths are? Our athletes have been coached in all phases of situational softball and we rely on our hitters to execute mentally and physically. We are one of the elite hitting teams in the country. We have no weakness 1-9 and have home run power throughout our lineup. Win or lose our girls represent Texas Riptide with class.