Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
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 losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023:
*****
THE FINAL PITCH: MGGIE KRAUSE
Uncommitted 2026 LHP/1B Maggie Krause recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Louisville Lady Sluggers-Huecker/Norwood, Northview High, Beverly Bandits Premier-Norwood’s 3rd-place finish at PGF Nationals, Virginia Unity 2026-Johnson and Hotshots 2K26, nothing gets handed to you, future college, medical engineering, math, Paige Parker, “Verity,” Rage Against The Machine, “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lemonade Mouth” and deer hunting.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Maggie Krause
Hometown: Brazil, IN
High School: Northview High
Club Team: Louisville Lady Sluggers-Huecker/Norwood 16U
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: LHP/1B
Nickname: Mag-Pie. My dad has called me this since I was a baby.
Twitter/Instagram: @maggie_krause21/@krause_maggie
Honors: Academic letter for Academic Honors; set the single-season strikeout record for Northview High School as a freshman; WIC All-Conference as a freshman; and MVP Award for Northview High.
Travel Ball Fall Stats: Pitching — 2.625 ERA, 1.275 WHIP, .244 batting average against and 76 Ks; Batting — .250 AVG, .351 OBP and .375 SLG.
Travel Ball Summer Stats: Pitching — 1.615 ERA, 0.946 WHIP, .189 batting average against and 109 Ks; Batting — .323 AVG, .382 OBP and .452 SLG.
High School Stats: Pitching — 1.726 ERA, .829 WHIP, .170 batting average against and 275 Ks; Batting — .390 AVG, .457 OBP and .841 SLG.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? Before moving to the Sluggers, our team was with the Beverly Bandits. We were with them for five years. We recently decided that it was time for a change and that is when Coach (Jim) Huecker and our team got together for a meeting. We then decided as a team that moving to the Sluggers would be best for us. Staying together was extremely important to our team, so when everyone decided to move along with Coach Scott (Norwood), we knew we had something special.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? In our high school season, we went 18-9. We had five freshman starters and three seniors. We had a team that fought hard no matter what the score was and that is something that is extremely special. Our team was a very tight-knit group and the future is bright for the upcoming seasons.
Can you tell us about Beverly Bandits Premier-Norwood’s run to 3rd place at the PGF Nationals? I don’t even know where to start. We all had set a goal at the beginning of the year for the team and we wanted that back-back-back. We all knew going into the season that we would have to work harder than we ever had. In our team huddle before every game, Coach (Josh) Vanmeeter started saying, “Whatever you do, be productive.” He wanted us to make every single thing we did productive no matter how big or small it was. Every game during warm-ups, we played our music and started zoning in only talking about the game. I think that really made a difference in how we played. We took a heartbreaking loss against the Atlanta Vipers that knocked us into the loser’s bracket for Saturday. After that, we fought hard all day until reaching the Birmingham Thunderbolts where we ran out of gas. It was an emotional day, as it was our last game in a Bandits’ uniform and also not reaching our goal, but we knew that exciting things were coming and that we had left it all on the field.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? As a team, I would say that the VA Unity-Johnson and the Hotshots 2K26 have been our toughest opponents this year because they are such offensively sound teams. Personally, though, I think that my biggest competition is the other two pitchers on my team. All three of us know that we have to put in the work and try to outwork each other to get where we want. I think that has been one of the best things for me as a player is always having competition inside the team. We all push each other to be the best players we can be.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? My parents have always instilled in me to work hard for what I want and nothing gets handed to you. That has really made me who I am today.
What are you looking for in a future college? In a future college, I am looking for good coaches, a good environment and good schooling.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am interested in something with medical engineering. My mom is a nurse and my dad was a police officer, so I want to do something where I can help people.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject is math. I like math because there is always a definite answer.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero is Paige Parker. She was the reason that I wanted to start pitching. I remember watching her pitch when I was little when Oklahoma was playing Florida in the championship. She was a lefty and that amazed me because I wanted to be just like her.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book to read is “Verity” by Colleen Hoover. This is my favorite book because it is a mystery book with a huge plot twist.
What’s the best hype song and why? The best hype song without a doubt is “Killing In the Name” by Rage Against the Machine. Me and my dad listen to this before every game in the car right before we pull in.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “Greys Anatomy” because every time I rewatch it it feels like there is something new every time.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movie is “Lemonade Mouth” because the soundtrack is Chef’s Kiss.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I am an avid deer hunter.
*****
NEWS & NOTES
***TN Mojo 2027-Palmer merged with the Hotshots organization to form Hotshots National 09-Nelson for the 2023-24 season.
“Mojo 2027 Palmer, arguably one of the top 09 teams in the country, has merged with another 09 powerhouse, Hotshots National 09-Nelson,” Coach Joey Palmer said. “The new combined team will play under the name of Hotshots National 09-Nelson where they will be led by Hotshots founder Nathan Nelson and his coaching staff will be Joey Palmer, Guy Knight and former Ole Miss-star Sidney Gutierrez. The team is a true (14U) national team with 14 players from eight different states. The Hotshots organization is based out of Houston, TX, and their national teams have won several PGF championships and consistently put players in the top D1 programs across the country.”
The new 14U team features some of the top 2027s and 2028 in the country on the same team. The pitching staff is loaded with 2027 RHP Kadeyn “KK” Patin, 2027 LHP Morgan Maxwell and 2028 RHP Annie Shelton.
The catchers are led by 2027 Brooke Howard and 2027 Ryn McCormick. Newcomer 2027 Eleanor “Ellie” Potter rounds out the group of catchers.
The infield features 2028 MIF Jayde Palmer, 2027 MIF Mia Harrison, 2027 MIF Reagan “Peanut” Schmitz, 2027 MIF Brooke McGowin and 2027 1B/3B Daniela Villareal.
The outfield features another group of talented athletes with 2027 OF Skylar Knight, 2027 OF JLee Van Driel and 2027 OF Emma Barrett. All have 2.8-2.9 home-to-first speed. …
***2025 RHP/1B Maren Robinson, who previously played for Granite State Elite, joined Rhode Island Thunder Gold National 18U-Lotti. …
Beyond excited to announce that I will be playing for RI Thunder Gold 18u National – Lotti for the 2023-24 season! Grateful for the opportunity to grow and play with and against the best in the country! @LottiRhode @FrankLieto @BobRossiRITG @ExtraInningSB @Los_Stuff pic.twitter.com/ltPYTXrNlI
— Maren Robinson 2025 (@2025Maren) August 23, 2023
***Uncommitted 2024 RHP Dezaria Johnson, who previously played for the EC Bullets-Mayfield, joined Virginia Unity 18U-Johnson/Ricks.
Our 13th 🧩 piece = @DezariaJohnson “Zee” is an explosive & competitive player who brings natural💥to both the pitching circle & batter’s box. Zee loves to compete & WIN! She is a gritty & supportive teammate that brings confidence & intimidation to the opposition! #GameOn 💜🧡🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/z1ZYDCh7l1
— Unity 18u-Johnson (@Unity18uJohnson) August 22, 2023
*****
SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Elana Roush, 2024, RHP, Florida Impact Gold-Ladd/East Bay High, FL, Florida Gulf Coast
So happy to announce #18 Elana Roush. Elana is committed to FGCU. Super excited to have this talented young lady as part of the family. Welcome Elana! pic.twitter.com/WGUKjlj8hG
— Florida Impact Gold Ladd (@FlImpactGold06) August 23, 2023
*****
HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
*****
BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
To become #AhsokaTano Rosario Dawson had to undergo insane lightsaber training. pic.twitter.com/wwE3A4wvdH
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 23, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Thread @los_stuff)
