2031 Athletes Excelling On Both Sides Of The Ball

In softball, some players make their biggest impact at the plate, while others shine on defense. The special ones do both. These class of 2031 athletes are proving they can change a game from anywhere on the field, whether it is with a big hit, a clutch play, or steady leadership. Their all-around ability has helped them stand out early and makes them some of the most exciting young players to watch.   Below, Prep Softball highlights five players from the high school class of 2031 who excel both at the plate and on defense.    Kyla Cochran is developing into an exceptional player both with the ball in her hand and with her bat. With Impact Gold National, Cochran excelled to start April both ways against 14U competition. In the circle, she threw 10 innings with a 0.66 ERA and 16 strikeouts. At the plate, she hit .625 for her club team. The performance comes after hitting two home runs in a week to finish February while staying strong with her arm. In November, Cochran attended a camp with Bri Ellis and Haley Meinen to continue to develop her skills.     A multi-sport athlete with immense talent both pitching and hitting, McKayla Steele is making her name one to know in the 2031 class. Over Easter weekend, Steele both threw a no-hitter and earned four hits of her own, displaying her excellence playing both ways. During the fall season, Steele threw two no-hitters and hit two home runs in club ball. She earned a selection to the USA Softball All-American Games for the Northeast region. The Episcopal Academy student will only see her star rise as she plays in front of greater audiences as the years go on.     Aria Brown's skill while playing against some of the toughest club competition in the country sets her apart among her age group. At the Atlanta Vipers Invitational, Brown showed off with three home runs on the weekend, helping her squad to a runner-up finish at the event. Earlier in the spring season at the PGF Georgia Spring Classic, Brown's four homers and 10 strikeouts in the circle led the Vipers to a tournament championship at the 14U level. The Soddy Daisy, Tennessee native took her great fall season and improved further to reach new heights in her game this spring.     Representing the Hoosier State, Josey Hardy has made the most of her spring club season. At the Beverly Bandits Power 80 in March, Hardy struck out 10 in the circle while driving in three at the plate, helping the Indiana Gators in all facets of the game. The 2031 prospect excelled both ways at the Illinois Futures Invite in April, including a game in which she earned a pitching win and went 3-for-3 at the plate. Hardy attended Indiana University's prospect camp in December as she begins to get attention from college programs, which is a sign of what is to come for the budding star.     Audrey Sprague's fall season with RI Thunder was a key springboard for the two-way player who is already getting recruiting attention. While weather in her home state of Maine means a late start to spring ball for Sprague, she got plenty of exposure to top talent with the Rhode Island Thunder's challenging schedule. Sprague especially caught her stride late in the fall, hitting .600 at the Powerball Fall Classic while getting action in the circle. She attended camps at Florida State and Hofstra during the offseason as well. Sprague has worked with fellow Maine native and Seminole commit Addison DeRoche as she looks to follow in the pitcher's footsteps with significant success.

In softball, some players make their biggest impact at the plate, while others shine on defense. The special ones do both. These class of 2031 athletes are proving they can change a game from anywhere on the field, whether it is with a big hit, a clutch play, or steady leadership. Their all-around ability has helped them stand out early and makes them some of the most exciting young players to watch.