2031 Pitchers Who Found Another Gear This Fall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Compared to their hitting counterparts, pitchers can progress faster over the course of a club softball season. By learning from top competition and, ultimately, making mistakes, pitchers in the 2031 class are finding ways to improve this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball features five pitchers from the high school graduating class of 2031 who found another gear this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["197169"],"_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":197843,"_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-6aecbeba05cfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alexis Buso is progressing rapidly this fall season thanks to repeated success in club ball. In a recent appearance in late October at the Bandits Not So Friendly tournament, Buso struck out six batters in 3.2 innings of work in front of college coaches from the Big Ten and ACC. Earlier in the month, Buso also contributed to a team championship in a different way, tripling in the championship game win. The lefty arm continues to find her way into significant spots, making the most of every opportunity to perform for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["195027"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aecbeba05d31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Genevieve Irvin thrived in school ball this fall for Centennial in Georgia. In the circle, Irvin struck out 55 opponents in a season that saw her school team rack up 13 wins and a mid-season tournament championship. At the plate, Irvin contributed with a .526 batting average and 28 runs batted in. Irvin represents the GA Bombers at the club level and will continue her softball journey with them this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184104"],"_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":197844,"_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-6aecbeba05d52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Representing the Rhode Island Thunder this fall, Avery Stedman has shown up from the beginning to the end of the club season. She started Labor Day weekend with a pitching win in her first game, finishing off a combined effort in the circle while also recording two hits at the plate. At the end of the season in November, Stedman walked off an extra-inning battle in the eighth against Thunder Ramos, doubling to drive in the winning run. Stedman shows up in the circle and at the plate for her team, doing whatever is necessary for wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["184160"],"_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":197845,"_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-6aecbeba05d70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mira Norkus shows up when her Michigan Sabercats team needs her, excelling in tough opportunities. At the NSA Fall State tournament, Norkus pitched both games of a doubleheader, striking out 17 opponents against just four walks, winning game MVP honors twice that day. Later in October at the Pumpkin Smash tournament, Norkus threw six shutout innings, allowing just four hits to help her team to two wins in Saturday's pool play. The next day, Norkus battled to strike out 10 batters in a bracket play win. Norkus thrives in the toughest moments and can carry her team to wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["193561"],"_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":197846,"_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-6aecbeba05d8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Annie McDowell shows up in the circle for Team NC and always brings her best game. At the Tier One tournament, McDowell threw eight shutout innings, allowing just six runners to reach base against seven strikeouts. Against 18U competition earlier in the season, McDowell allowed one run in four innings of work and added seven hits at the plate. Although the weather has recently taken away opportunities for McDowell to compete, she makes the most of every opportunity when she takes to the diamond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->