Kinsey Goelz, one of the nation's top players in the 2017 class, signed with the Bulldogs last week.
Goelz Leads Off 2017 Bulldog Softball Signing Class
November 15, 2016 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – One of the top players in the nation will be joining the Mississippi State softball program next season, as Vann Stuedeman announced the signing of standout infielder Kinsey Goelz.
"Winners win and Kinsey Goelz is a winner," Stuedeman said. "My definition of winning extends much further than the playing field and into life. Kinsey is a born leader with a positive determined spirit. She will have an immediate impact upon arrival in Starkville."
In the midst of her senior season as a team captain at Lakewood Ranch High School, the Myakka City, Fla., native comes to Starkville as a USA Elite Select All-American and Future Pro, as well as the 34th-ranked player in the 2017 class by Flo Softball.
"I chose MSU because when I visited Mississippi State University on my unofficial visit, I fell in love with the campus and the facilities but I also fell in love with the dedicated and driven coaches and teammates," Goelz said. "I am so lucky to have these next four years and I want to help Mississippi State win an SEC and national championship. Hail State!"
Goelz most recently led her side to an 8A District Championship, as LRHS finished her junior season with a 23-5 record and a spot in the 8A Region Finals. Individually, Goelz finished the year with a .464 clip with 30 runs, 30 RBIs and 4 home runs, while only committing 2 errors in 28 total games. Her superb play on the diamond led her to First Team All-Area and First Team All-State honors.
The success for Goelz started as soon as she took the field in high school, as her freshman year saw her tally a .353 average with 18 runs. The All-Area Honorable Mention starting shortstop propelled Braden River High School to a 7A District Championship as a freshman.
Her sophomore year saw her numbers jump across the board, posting a .364 clip with 21 runs, 26 RBIs and 3 home runs. Goelz landed First Team All-State and All-County honors, while also adding All-State Honorable Mention to her resume.
On the travel ball side, Goelz is currently a member of Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, along with future Bulldogs Mia Davidson, Alex Wilcox and O'Neil Roberson.
Prior to joining the Thunderbolts, Goelz was a part of the Tampa Mustangs, led by her dad, T.J. Goelz, a former standout pitcher at North Florida from 1990-93. The team has been one of the top programs the last four years, highlighted by a 2015 PGF National Championship. The squad finished the year 72-14, finishing with 12-straight wins and winning 1-0 in the national championship game. Goelz was the star of the show in the final game, named the MVP after driving in the game-winning run and making several top defensive plays. For their success on the field, the Mustangs finished the year as the No. 1 16U team in the country by Flo Softball.
Goelz has finished every travel season to date with an above-.300 average, totaling 173 RBIs, 165 runs and 13 home runs through four years. Goelz has also been a star in the field, ranking as one of the top defenders in the country. She's tallied a fielding percentage of .960-plus in all four years, with a career-high .978 coming in 2016.
Altogether, Goelz has finished the last two years inside the Flo Softball Hot 100, moving from 41st in 2015 up to 34th in 2016.
Goelz is a second-generation softball star in her family, as her mother starred for the North Florida program.
When not playing the game she loves, Goelz enjoys spending time hiking, traveling, watching movies and hanging out with her friends.
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
"Winners win and Kinsey Goelz is a winner," Stuedeman said. "My definition of winning extends much further than the playing field and into life. Kinsey is a born leader with a positive determined spirit. She will have an immediate impact upon arrival in Starkville."
In the midst of her senior season as a team captain at Lakewood Ranch High School, the Myakka City, Fla., native comes to Starkville as a USA Elite Select All-American and Future Pro, as well as the 34th-ranked player in the 2017 class by Flo Softball.
"I chose MSU because when I visited Mississippi State University on my unofficial visit, I fell in love with the campus and the facilities but I also fell in love with the dedicated and driven coaches and teammates," Goelz said. "I am so lucky to have these next four years and I want to help Mississippi State win an SEC and national championship. Hail State!"
Goelz most recently led her side to an 8A District Championship, as LRHS finished her junior season with a 23-5 record and a spot in the 8A Region Finals. Individually, Goelz finished the year with a .464 clip with 30 runs, 30 RBIs and 4 home runs, while only committing 2 errors in 28 total games. Her superb play on the diamond led her to First Team All-Area and First Team All-State honors.
The success for Goelz started as soon as she took the field in high school, as her freshman year saw her tally a .353 average with 18 runs. The All-Area Honorable Mention starting shortstop propelled Braden River High School to a 7A District Championship as a freshman.
Her sophomore year saw her numbers jump across the board, posting a .364 clip with 21 runs, 26 RBIs and 3 home runs. Goelz landed First Team All-State and All-County honors, while also adding All-State Honorable Mention to her resume.
On the travel ball side, Goelz is currently a member of Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, along with future Bulldogs Mia Davidson, Alex Wilcox and O'Neil Roberson.
Prior to joining the Thunderbolts, Goelz was a part of the Tampa Mustangs, led by her dad, T.J. Goelz, a former standout pitcher at North Florida from 1990-93. The team has been one of the top programs the last four years, highlighted by a 2015 PGF National Championship. The squad finished the year 72-14, finishing with 12-straight wins and winning 1-0 in the national championship game. Goelz was the star of the show in the final game, named the MVP after driving in the game-winning run and making several top defensive plays. For their success on the field, the Mustangs finished the year as the No. 1 16U team in the country by Flo Softball.
Goelz has finished every travel season to date with an above-.300 average, totaling 173 RBIs, 165 runs and 13 home runs through four years. Goelz has also been a star in the field, ranking as one of the top defenders in the country. She's tallied a fielding percentage of .960-plus in all four years, with a career-high .978 coming in 2016.
Altogether, Goelz has finished the last two years inside the Flo Softball Hot 100, moving from 41st in 2015 up to 34th in 2016.
Goelz is a second-generation softball star in her family, as her mother starred for the North Florida program.
When not playing the game she loves, Goelz enjoys spending time hiking, traveling, watching movies and hanging out with her friends.
For more on Mississippi State softball, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for "HailStateSB." You can also find all-access coverage of the program on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
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