2031 Pitchers Showing Progress Early This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2031 class of eighth graders is already showing signs of success coming off the most recent summer season. One area to watch in this young class is the rising group of pitchers. These pitchers are standing out in the circle with their determination and pure talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five pitchers from the high school graduating class of 2031 who are showing progress early this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["193043"],"_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":194355,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab45d7115738"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adding another right-handed pitcher to the already powerful class of 2031, [player_tooltip player_id='193043' first='Kayla' last='Gardner'] is already turning heads this fall. Coming off a hot summer season at Alliance Nationals, Gardner posted a 2.57 ERA. Her performance helped her team finish in second place and earned her a spot on the Tier 1 All-Tournament Team. At the beginning of the fall, she competed at the USA Softball All-American Event, where she showcased her abilities as a pitcher and utility player, along with some serious power at the plate. Gardner is currently preparing to return to the field during the second weekend of October, when she will look to continue building on her strong summer and fall performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181172"],"_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":194359,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab41e4a7e717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Right-handed pitcher Olivia Lesczinski brings power to the circle. With the ability to mix both location and speed, the New York native constantly keeps batters off balance. Lesczinski's overall determination to succeed allows her to continue progressing into the fall season, following a stellar summer in which she struck out 134 batters in fewer than 95 innings. Without a doubt, Lesczinski will continue to turn heads this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184153"],"_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":194361,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab45d71157f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A right-handed pitcher from Cumming, Georgia, Kelsey Wilkens is showing potential for a dominant fall season. Since August, Wilkens has struck out multiple batters, with her success in the circle attributed to her unique spin and variety of velocities. Wilkens not only competes in the circle, but also in the batter's box as a two-way player. Most recently, she has continued to collect base hits and drive in runs for Impact Caymol-Bottoms, proving her ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["182995"],"_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":194362,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab45d711583c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beverly Bandits pitcher and utility player Bryce Gardner is gearing up for another impactful season. An average weekend for the eighth grader would consist of a .500 batting average and a 1.295 OPS with a 1.80 earned run average, racking up 15 strikeouts. Explosiveness on both sides of the ball allows Gardner to gain leverage against her opponents. As she continues to grow and develop into an all-around, dynamic player, Gardner is poised to continue turning heads with her two-way power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["158875"],"_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":194363,"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab45d711587d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another two-way power player in the class of 2031 is right-handed pitcher Jacquelyn Schwinn. Schwinn, known for her spinny drop curve, consistently keeps batters off balance with her pitches. Recently, she was selected for the Team USSSA Liberty Cup Fast Pitch Championship in Florida, where she will compete with multiple tools at her disposal. Not only is Schwinn feared in the circle, but she is also a threat to opposing defenses and is capable of taking balls deep as a true two-way player. The eighth grader is only beginning to tap into her potential as she continues to develop into a mature player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->