2028 Recruit Sophia Schlader Embraces Big Moments

Sophia Schlader Sophia Schlader RHP/UTL Waukee Northwest | 2028 #1 Nation IA understood the theory behind coach-pitch when she was younger. She just wished she could be in the circle instead. Schlader would practice her pitching even when the coaches were on the field.

“I like having the ball in my hand in big moments,” she said. “I like being in control of the game.”

Schlader, a two-way player from Urbandale, Iowa, completed her first season of high school softball for Waukee Northwest last summer as an eighth grader, earning Class 5A Pitcher of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors. The 2028 recruit led Class 5A in ERA and WHIP, and ranked second in strikeouts. At the plate, Schlader led in slugging percentage and home runs.

“I like getting to do both pitching and hitting because if I'm not doing as good at one of them, then I can focus on doing the other one,” Schlader said. “It kind of just helps me stay balanced.”

Schlader's diversity extends beyond the diamond as a multi-sport athlete. She plays basketball for All Iowa Attack in AAU and her high school team, and participates in track and field as a runner and a thrower (shot put and discus).

“We try to balance it as much as we can, but obviously I have to miss some things for softball camps and stuff,” Schlader said. “But I play basketball with a lot of my best friends, and it's super fun.”

Schlader has been with the Beverly Bandits softball organization since she was at the 10U level. She is currently on the 14U Chow/Hardin team.

“I just love everything about it. The girls are really great and my coaches are also really amazing,” she said. “The travel is also so fun too. I like playing softball everywhere, and the big events are super fun.”

Iowa is the only state in the nation that holds its high school softball season in the summer, so Schlader does have some conflicts arise with travel ball opportunities at major tournaments.

“My parents helped me a lot with it, and my club ball organization coach too. We try to see which would be the best,” Schlader said. “But it's just what I want to do and what I think would be most beneficial for the season.”

Schlader has participated in the USA Softball All-American Games in Oklahoma City twice, and tried out for the High Performance Program twice. She was recognized as a U13 top performer in 2024.

“It's so cool getting to learn from people that have played for Team USA and hearing about their experience with it,” Schlader said. “It's just awesome to meet so many new people and make so many new connections with them.”

Schlader is double-jointed in her shoulders. She discovered her unusually large range of motion when she was playing 10U ball and extended her arms freakishly one day at practice.

“I thought it was normal and I was doing a stretch and everyone was like, ‘Oh my gosh. What are you doing?'” she said. “Some people think that is why I throw pretty fast, but I don't know.”