Five 2029 Utility Players To Watch In The New Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Across the country, elite young talent is making waves, and the class of 2029 is no exception. These girls aren't just skilled; they're game-changers, capable of stepping in anywhere on the softball field and making an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five top utility players to watch from the 2029 class ahead of the start of the new year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":148353,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ivy Jones","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"23","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Stars National Coleman ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690e887ebdd9f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Primarily a shortstop but able to play anywhere on the field, Ivy Jones is one of the top rising stars in the class of 2029. A multi-sport athlete, Ivy earned a spot on the USA All-American team and has consistently stood out as an HPP top performer. At the Elite Fall Showcase, she batted an impressive .462, added a home run, and collected six RBIs, showing her ability to get on base and produce runs. At the plate, Ivy's approach is smart and disciplined—she works the count, draws walks, and knows how to square up the ball for maximum impact. Defensively, her versatility shines. She makes throws on the run with ease, showing confidence and athleticism wherever she plays. Always putting in extra work to improve, Ivy Jones is a player every coach will be watching closely this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["117709"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":149212,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690e8d518111c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Entering her freshman year, Shylo Williford is a name to know in the class of 2029. This USA HPP invite has a sky-high ceiling and continues to impress with every performance. A right-handed pitcher and first baseman with power and precision, Shylo dominated at the Eastern Elite, tossing six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA. Her WHIP of 1.167 showcases her command and consistency in the circle. Offensively, she's just as dangerous. At the plate, Shylo drove in the go-ahead winning run, collecting four RBIs, a home run, and several clutch hits. Her ability to deliver in pressure moments makes her a true two-way threat. Always pushing to improve, Shylo Williford continues to raise the bar with her determination and work ethic, making her a standout player to watch this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["114602"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":149213,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690ea2ce9bcc5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ready to take on her freshman year, Savanna Sowell has something to prove, and she's already making her mark. A three-time USA All-American and two-time HPP performer, Sowell brings versatility and confidence to the infield, and she is capable of playing anywhere she's needed. At the plate, her bat speaks for itself. During the Legacy Showcase, she posted an impressive .583 batting average, racking up eight singles, three doubles, three triples, and 11 RBIs. Known for her powerful yet consistent swing, Savanna finds ways to get on base and drive in runs, always battling each at-bat. In her most recent tournament, she went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single, helping lead her team deep into the competition. Defensively, her glove is as sharp as her bat. Quick, agile, and fearless, she makes diving plays and locks down the infield. Savanna Sowell is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in the class of 2029.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":148362,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ava Kessler","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"31","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Steinbrenner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Unity Schultheis/Johnson 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690eaaeff3e53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is never an offseason for Ava Kessler. Whether she's training off the field or competing on it, her dedication sets her apart. A six-time state champion, Kessler plays with the heart of a workhorse and a passion that fuels her every swing. Her dominance was on full display at PGF Nationals, where she went 5-for-5 with four home runs, a double, and eight RBIs, which was a powerful way to close out her summer season. Her swing is smooth and explosive, consistently producing hard contact and impressive launch angles. Even in the offseason, Ava's focus hasn't wavered. She continues sharpening her glove work and footwork in preparation for upcoming college showcases. Her balance and discipline at the plate are exceptional, keeping her swing on plane and her eyes locked in. With a bat that's truly a rare gem, Ava Kessler is a name to circle in the new year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":148367,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kendra Frey","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"31","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"ELCO","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"PA Stars Fastpitch Albarano 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690eacf336396"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With fire in her bones and passion in her heart, [player_tooltip player_id='143589' first='Kendra' last='Frey'] is making noise across the softball world. Her bat speaks volumes, as it is powerful, consistent, and full of pop. Frey wrapped up her fall season with an impressive .581 batting average, collecting 18 hits, including 14 singles, three doubles, and 11 RBIs. Her discipline at the plate stands out, striking out only three times and walking twice in 35 plate appearances. Aggressive and fearless on the base paths, Kendra creates scoring opportunities with her smart, heads-up play. Defensively, she's just as dependable, flashing smooth glove work and making strong, accurate throws across the diamond. She finished the season with an .882 fielding percentage, proving her all-around value on both sides of the ball. Frey's grit, determination, and love for the game fuel her every performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->