2028s To Know Heading Into Recruiting Crunch Time

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With September 1 quickly approaching, college softball prospects from the high school class of 2028 are entering crunch time in their recruiting processes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five players to know from the 2028 class heading into the most crucial time in their recruiting journeys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179730"],"_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":180698,"_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-6a29905a1a6f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hailing from Idaho, Addy Herrera is a right-handed pitcher and first baseman in the 2028 class. A standout student-athlete at Cole Valley Christian School with a 3.8 GPA, Herrera plays travel ball for Idaho Velocity Torres 16U. As a pitcher who calls herself aggressive, competitive, and determined, Herrera gets a ton of rollovers from her changeup and curve, and weak grounders and pop-ups from her rise and drop. For her sophomore high school season, Herrera posted 112 strikeouts in 96.1 innings pitched, to go along with a .575 batting average and 10 home runs of her own. Her goal is to play Division 1 softball one day, and as a determined student and athlete, we believe she will do just that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180572"],"_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":180699,"_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-6a29905a1a767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 2028 prospect out of Orlando, Florida, Ansley Gentry is a catcher, outfielder, and second baseman on the softball diamond. Carrying a 5.1 GPA in the classroom at The First Academy, Gentry plays on the club softball circuit for So Cal Athletics Premier Alba 18U. She calls herself scrappy and smart behind the plate, and is one of the best framers and blockers in her class. As a leader and player who her teammates can depend on, Gentry has a bright future ahead of her and hopes to soon fulfill her dream of playing Division 1 softball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179894"],"_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-6a2990e8832a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olivia Rydzy is an infielder and outfielder from Connecticut in the 2028 class. Playing primarily in the middle infield, Rydzy competes for Cheshire High School and CT Charge 18U Showcase. A right-handed hitter and thrower, Rydzy holds a 4.13 GPA in the classroom. She has continuously demonstrated her willingness to put in extra work off the field, and has also attended college camps and clinics in the recent past. Based on her work ethic, we expect Rydzy to continue to shine on the softball field this summer when it matters most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180440"],"_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":180700,"_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-6a2990e883309"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Desarae Castaneda is a standout catcher and third baseman from Nevada in the 2028 class. A softball player with a strong arm and a high softball IQ, Castaneda holds a 3.5 GPA in the classroom at Doral Academy Red Rock. She competes on the travel ball circuit for Firecrackers Brashear Ojinaga, with whom she faces challenging competition and a full schedule. With continued improvement of her skills and hard work on and off the field, Castaneda is on track to achieve her dream of playing college softball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["180442"],"_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":180701,"_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-6a2990e883354"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bailee Sides is a corner infielder from Nebraska in the 2028 class. Playing both third and first base, Sides says she loves to play freely on the field, and calls herself a gritty player who is always cheering on her teammates. As a 4.0 student at Seward High School, Sides is involved in several extracurricular activities at her school, and is a positive and well-rounded student-athlete. A leader among her teammates, Sides hopes to play softball at the collegiate level someday soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->