Top 2027 Prospects To Watch In Nebraska

Nebraska has consistently been a hub for emerging softball talent, and the class of 2027 is no exception. These young athletes—showcasing skill, athleticism, and determination—are already significantly impacting local and national competitions. From explosive baserunners to standout pitchers and elite fielders, these prospects are poised to become the future stars of softball.   Below, Prep Softball highlights some of the top players from Nebraska in the high school graduating class of 2027.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nebraska Thunder National</h2>    Alexa Taylor is a dedicated athlete recognized for her versatility as a second baseman and outfielder for the Nebraska Thunder National-Taylor team. She has made a significant impact both on the field and in the classroom. As a freshman, she was the leadoff batter for her Class A state champion team and earned accolades such as All-Metro Conference and All-State Honorable Mention in 2024. Taylor is an accomplished athlete recognized for her speed as a slapper and ability to hit for power. She maintains a 4.17 GPA at Papillion-LaVista High School and is recognized for her hard work and encouraging nature. Her recent selections to the West Coast Select 30 team and the Gun Power 50 Prospect list showcase her growth as a top regional player. Alexa Taylor's passion and leadership will be valuable at the collegiate level.     Toria Rother is a talented athlete on the Nebraska Thunder National-Taylor team. She excels at multiple positions, including catcher, shortstop, and third baseman. Rother combines her athleticism with a strong softball IQ, earning her a place on the West Coast 30 team and the Top Gun Power 50 Prospect list. Her accomplishments include All-State Second Team and All-Metro Conference honors, and being recognized as one of the top 100 catchers in the country. Rother shows her strong understanding of the game through her leadership behind the plate. In the batter's box, she competes by attacking pitches and being a tough out. Academically, Rother maintains a 4.0 GPA at Papillion-LaVista High School and is a Junior National Honor Society member. Known for her work ethic and leadership, Toria Rother is a dedicated and driven competitor.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Nebraska Gold</h2>    Abby Beard is a versatile Nebraska Gold '09 Swift team player who excels at Millard North High School with a 3.4 GPA. In 2024, she became captain of the All-Metro Conference, earning Class A All-State honors and First-Team All-Nebraska recognition from the Omaha World-Herald and Lincoln Journal Star. Additionally, she earned First-Team Super State recognition and was the NFCA National Player of the Week in October 2024. Beard's impressive talent on the field matches her coachability. Abby Beard approaches every practice with a strong work ethic and a determination to improve in any way possible. Her athleticism shines through her success as a versatile player. She will continue demonstrating her ability to compete at a high level as she advances to the next stage of her athletic journey.     Taelyn Rupiper is an outstanding right-handed pitcher for Nebraska Gold '09 Swift. She is also a dedicated student-athlete, maintaining a 4.0 GPA at Gretna High School. Rupiper has earned recognition for her commanding presence in the circle, and was named to the 2024 Class A All-State Second Team. She controls the game calmly and with poise, making her a natural leader on the field. As a pitcher, she showcases a diverse arsenal of pitches that keeps batters guessing. Her mental toughness and skill make her a vital asset to her team under pressure. Taelyn Rupiper's impact on the field is undeniable and a huge reason why we believe she will succeed at the next level.     Becca Dinkelman is a versatile athlete who shines as both a third baseman and an outfielder. She attends Grand Island Northwest High School and maintains a 4.0 GPA as a dedicated student-athlete. Renowned for her strong arm, Dinkelman skillfully covers the outfield and third base while making accurate throws. She showcases tremendous power at the plate—her aggressive approach allows her to confidently attack pitches and drive the ball hard to all parts of the field. Dinkelman's hard work, passion, and commitment as a student-athlete earned her a 2024 Class B All-State Honorable Mention selection. Her skill and determination make her a dominant presence on the field. Becca Dinkelman is focused on pursuing her dream of playing high-level college softball while also studying health sciences.     Tenley Kampbell is a utility player for Nebraska Gold '09 Swift, showcasing her skills at first base and other positions as well. She is recognized for her adaptability and strong presence on the field. Kampbell has an impressive career batting average of .427, making a significant impact both at the plate and in the field for her teams. She bats left-handed and has a great deal of power. At Millard North High School, she holds the record for the most doubles in a single season. Her accolades include recognition as a 2023 All-Metro Conference player, an All-State Honorable Mention selection, and honors for the 2024 All-Metro Conference and another All-State Honorable Mention selection. Additionally, Kampbell maintains an impressive 3.9 GPA, skillfully balancing her responsibilities as a student-athlete. Tenley Kampbell is dedicated to her hard work and passion for the sport as she seeks her future collegiate home.     Mallory Closman is an exceptional athlete for Nebraska Gold '09 Swift, excelling as both a shortstop and an outfielder. She is a Millard North High School student with an impressive 4.0 GPA, showcasing her dedication and talents beyond athletics. Her athleticism shines on the field, whether she is making a big play in the infield or a diving catch in the outfield. Closman brings a ton of power to the plate with each swing and runs the bases quickly. Mallory Closman has been recognized as a 2024 Class A All-State Honorable Mention selection and a Omaha Metro Conference Coach's Team member. She earned several accolades for her performances, including a 2023 Class A All-State Second Team spot and the 2023 Omaha Metro Freshman of the Year title. Her athleticism, versatility, and focus as a student-athlete will serve her well at the collegiate level.     Maddie Kurrus is a talented second baseman and outfielder for the Nebraska Gold '09 Swift team. She is known for her unwavering consistency both in the infield and outfield. Kurrus's strong work ethic and dedication make her a reliable player in every game and practice. In recognition of her performance on the field, she earned the 2024 Class A All-State Honorable Mention title. Kurrus excels at maintaining focus and delivering consistent results, especially in competitive situations. Her athleticism is evident in her versatility as a player. She demonstrates smooth glove work in the infield and showcases a strong arm in the infield and outfield. At the plate, she effectively hits pitches and gets on base. Maddie Kurrus excels at both sports and academics, holding a 4.0 GPA at Gretna High School. Her dedication allows her to balance athletics and her studies, preparing her well for the future.     Tana Antons is a versatile Nebraska Gold '09 Swift player, excelling as both a catcher and third baseman. She earned a 2024 Class B All-State Honorable Mention selection last season. Antons consistently rebounds from challenges, using any setback as motivation for her future successes. Her resilience and determination define her as a player. Although staying focused during tough times can be difficult, Antons leverages her ability to maintain concentration and push through adversity, making her a standout player on the field. Her leadership is evident through her voice and actions behind the plate and at third base. She consistently demonstrates her arm strength and accuracy from both positions. Anton confidently approaches the plate, which is evident in her powerful swing. Tana Antons has a 3.27 GPA at Beatrice High School, demonstrating her dedication as a student-athlete. Her persistence and leadership on the field will propel her to the next level.     Brooklyn Phelphes is an outstanding outfielder and shortstop for the Nebraska Gold '09 Swift team. She showcases impressive speed and aggressiveness on the base paths, often stealing bases and creating scoring opportunities for her team. Phelphes excels in the outfield with her speed and athleticism, tracking fly balls and making diving catches. She shows power from the left side of the plate, but often uses small ball techniques to get on base and advance runners. She earned a 2024 Class A All-State Honorable Mention selection last high school season. Phelphes maintains a 3.38 GPA at Bellevue West High School while balancing her commitments as a student-athlete. Outside of team practice and family time, she hones her softball skills with her private coach and her dad. Her work ethic and determination make her an excellent candidate for the collegiate level.     Kaylin Hinerman is an exceptional utility player for the Nebraska Gold '09 Swift team, renowned for her impressive combination of athleticism and skill. Her impact on the field is significant, whether she is positioned in the infield or the outfield. Hinerman was a 2024 B All-State Honorable Mention selection, showcasing her versatility and value to her teams. She is an exceptional athlete known for her smooth left-handed swing. In the field, she is versatile and capable of playing nearly every position on the field, except pitcher and catcher. Hinerman maintains a 3.9 GPA at Gretna East High School, demonstrating her dedication as a student-athlete. Kaylin Hinerman is poised to achieve great things at the collegiate level with her natural talent, versatility, and academic success.

Nebraska has consistently been a hub for emerging softball talent, and the class of 2027 is no exception. These young athletes—showcasing skill, athleticism, and determination—are already significantly impacting local and national competitions. From explosive baserunners to standout pitchers and elite fielders, these prospects are poised to become the future stars of softball.