Five Underclassmen Playing Like Upperclassmen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this era of softball, there are more opportunities than ever for players to perform at high levels earlier and earlier in their playing careers. Some freshmen and sophomores have earned opportunities to perform at levels not previously seen until junior or senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five players from the 2028 and 2029 classes who are performing with the poise and maturity of upperclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["145045"],"_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":158689,"_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-69c83864e5f8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='145045' first='Campbell' last='Hicks'] is pitching with the maturity of a senior during her sophomore high school season. In 15 appearances so far for Daphne, Hicks has pitched 62 innings and sports a 1.69 ERA. She has earned seven wins and two saves while striking out 53 opponents. Hicks gained momentum for her high school season from her performance with EC Bullets, for whom she struck out 38 opponents against just six walks over a 32-inning sample. During the offseason, Hicks visited Auburn and South Alabama for camps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["156826"],"_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":158691,"_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-69c83864e5ffc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">New Jersey's Gianna Boardman is a key cog in Immaculata's wheel this season. In her first six appearances as a freshman, Boardman is hitting .500 with six runs scored and one run driven in. Her four walks bring her on-base percentage to .625, representing plate discipline for the young player. Boardman's best performance of the season came when she reached on all three plate appearances against South Plainfield, scoring twice to lead Immaculata to a win. The 2029 prospect played her club ball in the fall with Unity 14U Plath/Torres, enjoying a strong campaign at the plate. Boardman gained attention in the form of camp invites for Lehigh and Penn in January.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Khloe Brenner","_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":"28","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hialeah Gardens","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Florida Gold 29/30 Pollock","_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-69c83864e60ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Khloe Brenner's hitting performance during her high school campaign is more reminiscent of a junior season than a freshman campaign. Brenner's first eight appearances this year yielded a .474 average and 12 RBI. The freshman went 3-for-3 in a win over Krop, hitting a home run and driving in six runs during the wins. Brenner represented Florida Gold during the fall season and was an important presence at the plate. Results on the field have compounded to propel Brenner forward as she continues her softball journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146039"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69c83864e6103"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lila McConnell has impressed so far in her sophomore season for Charlotte Latin at the plate. She is hitting .579 through her first six games with eight extra-base hits, including a home run. She has also plated nine runs for her team this season. Her performance comes off the back of a Mission Softball campaign during which she hit .466 with eight home runs and 52 RBI in the fall season. McConnell's progression after her first high school season presents a great opportunity for further growth over her playing career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["156817"],"_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":158693,"_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-69c83864e614e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='156817' first='Sydney' last='Hahn'] has seized her opportunity to perform during her freshman high school season. In the first six games of her freshman year with Central Bucks East, Hahn has stepped up at the plate with a .647 batting average and four home runs. The talented freshman plays both ways and has also earned a pitching win this season. Hahn earned a selection to the 14U USA Softball All-American Games after her club campaign. The prospect has gained attention in the form of camp invites to Penn State and Pittsburgh.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->