The envigorated recruiting movement for the Iowa State softball team has yielded a bevy of talent for the program. If a recent performance by a member of the class of 2011 is any indication, the program is in good hands for years to come.

Miranda Kemp, a senior at Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Va., was recently named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Player of the Week. Kemp was selected as the star player in the South Region.

Kemp is expected to boost the Cyclone rotation, and her dominance in the Virginia state playoffs has solidified her spot as an ace. From May 24 to May 31, Kemp was nearly flawless in three appearances from the dish.

During that span, Kemp pitched two shutouts and a no hitter while allowing only one run. Additionally, Kemp fanned 31 batters while giving up only three hits.

“Miranda is a great addition to our staff. She has high-quality experience and good velocity and command,” said Cyclone softball coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler.

She may not be donning the cardinal and gold yet, but Kemp has been shining like a collegiate star from the mound.

Kemp propelled her Bobcat squad to the Virginia AAA state championship game with staggering season numbers. Her 161 strike outs and .073 opponent batting average seem to pale in comparison to her remarkable .58 ERA.

Kemp and the Bobcats carried a 21-1 regular season record into the title game, before falling to Lee-Davis High, 1-0.

Despite the loss, the future ISU hurler can add state runner up to her list of accomplishments that already features the title of Amateur Softball Association champion in 2008 and 2009.

With a treasure trove of honors and high-level competitive perfomance, Kemp has proven that the Cyclone softball program has discovered several potent prospects.

Kemp is set to join Gemeinhardt-Cesler’s squad at a fortuitous time for the program, as the lone graduate from last season’s team was pitching ace Rachel Zabriskie.

The ISU softball team finished the 2010-2011 season with a 21-28 record, which was highlighted by their knocking off two teams, in Oklahoma State and Baylor, that went on to qualify for the Women’s College World Series.