Welcome to the Morning Commute

After a one-week break, time for some softball talk in the commute.

The Women’s College World Series wraps up this week, which included two current and two future SEC teams. In fact, three of these teams made it all the way to the semis, and the winner will play in the SEC come 2025.

Mizzou softball came up one run short of the WCWS, led in big part to four starting seniors in the roster. Now the question becomes who can replace those spots. Whether it’s for incoming freshmen or players on the lineup, or maybe even some pickups in the transfer portal.

Here are seven potential transfers we think LA should target this offseason.

Julia Apsel - Pitcher - Hofstra

2024 Stats: 1.79 ERA, 201.2 Innings Pitched, 176 Strikeouts

1 year of eligibility remaining

Feels like a match made in heaven. The ace from Anderson’s old school, from an area that Coach is extremely familiar with when it comes to recruiting. Plus, Apsel already played against Mizzou, nearly upsetting the Tigers after allowing only two runs on five hits while striking out six in nine innings. Mizzou just edged out the 2-1 win, but Apsel did everything possible on the mound.

Another standout game came against Texas, allowing only four runs in six innings to the most prolific offense in the nation. Apsel could step in immediately as the Friday night starter or take the secondary spot behind Cierra Harrison. Either way, Julia Apsel is a name to watch in this year’s cycle.

Kenleigh Cahalan - Shortstop - Alabama

2024 Stats: .296 Batting Average, 2 Home Runs, 30 RBI, .946 Field Percentage

2 years of eligibility remaining

Another Mizzou connection here, but this time it’s all in the family. Kenleigh Cahalan is the cousin of Claire Cahalan, both playing together as members of the Birmingham Thunderbirds.

Kenleigh started every game for Alabama at shortstop and earning Second Team All-SEC honors, making it all the way to the WCWS. This included a 3-for-3 performance in game three of the super regionals against Tennessee to help the Tide advance.

With the departure of Jenna Laird, the shortstop spot is wide open, and Cahalan would serve as an immediate replacement.

Turiya Coleman - Catcher/Utility - Houston

2024 Stats: .374 Batting Average, 8 Home Runs, 46 RBI, .953 Field Percentage

1 year of eligibility remaining

If you want power in the Mizzou softball lineup, Turiya Coleman can give you power. Coleman spent her first year at Oklahoma, before transferring back to her hometown and playing her last two years at Houston.

Coleman has started all 105 games with the Cougars, combining for 16 home runs, 72 RBI and a .618 slugging percentage. Whether you want to put her at catcher or designated player, Coleman would add an elite level of hitting to the lineup.

Maddia Groff - Pitcher - Southern Illinois

2024 Stats: 1.11 ERA, 220.2 Innings Pitched, 244 Strikeouts

3 years of eligibility remaining

Maddia Groff took the world by storm in her freshman year at SIU. The freshman threw a perfect game in her FIRST ever collegiate appearance. Her dominant pitching led to accolades galore including Softball America All-Freshman Team and the MVC Pitcher of the Year. While Groff didn’t dominate the postseason in her first year, perhaps a stint with LA can turn her from a great pitcher into an unstoppable force in the SEC.

Rylee Holtorf - Infielder - Washington

2024 Stats: .336 Batting Average, 11 Home Runs, 25 RBI, .942 Fielding Percentage

1 year of eligibility remaining

Washington softball appears to be in the midst of a mass exodus. One year after making the WCWS, the Huskies’ season ended at the hands of Mizzou in the Columbia Regional. Despite the disappointing season for UW, Rylee Holtorf finished with a career season and highs in almost every category, including a bananas .632 slugging percentage. Holtorf would fit into the middle infielder spot, which Mizzou will need to figure out for 2025.

KK Mathis - Infielder - James Madison

2024 Stats: .331 Batting Average, 10 Home Runs, 38 RBI, .990 Fielding Percentage

2 years of eligibility remaining

KK Mathis is perhaps the most underrated slugger from a mid-major in the portal. Again fitting that infielder position, finishing the year with outstanding fielding along with incredible hitting splits. This included a 4-RBI game with a home run against the combined pitching power of Omaha back in March.

If you’re looking for a Mizzou connection, KK went to school with Mizzou soccer star Kylee Simmons at Lakota West High School in Ohio. Does it mean anything? Maybe?

Ka’Lyn Watson - Outfielder - Southeast Louisiana

2024 Stats: .406 Batting Average, 6 Home Runs, 39 RBI

1 year of eligibility

As a native of Missouri City (Texas), maybe it’s time for Ka’Lyn Watson to take her talents to the REAL Missouri. While the Tigers’ outfield is filled with potential starters, it’s hard to ignore a transfer batting over .400 with this level of experience as the Southland Conference Hitter of the Year. Watson and Southeast Louisiana finished second in the Tuscaloosa Regional, the senior helped eliminate Clemson with a 3-for-4, 2 RBI performance to take care of the Tigers.

---

Yesterday at Rock M and Rock M+

• 2024 Missouri Football Opponent Previews: Vanderbilt Commodores by Nate Edwards

But something odd happened this offseason for Vanderbilt. Whereas in previous years they took very few transfers in, the Commodores portaled in twenty-one (21!) new players to the program. Yes, academically rigid Vanderbilt transferred in 21 dudes from other schools, and not from, like, Stanford and Duke.

While Vanderbilt isn’t seen as a threat to Mizzou, this is a completely different team to last year that the Tigers will have to be careful of in the SEC-opener at Faurot.

• Over at Rock M+, a deep dive into Marques Warrick from DataMizzou:

In addition to his shooting prowess, Warrick is equally adept at scoring in transition. He’s tallied over 500 transition offensive possessions and converted those into 557 points. That’s good for a career 21.9% usage and 1.112 PPP. Both of those numbers are well above D-I average. For a team that by all measurements will be playing fast and open in transition, this is important.

Gates’ offenses are best when they get out and run, looks like Warrick can contribute in that downhill action.

News from Mizzou Athletics

• After spending a year in Hungary, former Tiger DeAndre Gholston is heading to France after signing with Le Portel.

• The summer move-ins continue for new Tiger athletes, as the majority of the new volleyball players made their way to COMO.

• In academics news, Mizzou football boasted one of the best performances in the SEC with 62 players with a 3.0 GPA or higher.

• (** RockMNation has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though RockMNation may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.**)