Top 2028 Prospects To Watch In Vermont

The 2024-25 school year is just about ready to wrap up across the country, which means the high school softball season is winding down and players are getting ready for another fun summer of travel ball. In Vermont, some of the best softball players are trying to catapult themselves into the national recruiting conversation.   Below, Prep Softball highlights five of the top softball players from Vermont in the high school graduating class of 2028.    Annabelle Salvatore found herself slowly developing a role on her varsity team in her first taste of high school softball this season. Through 10 games, Annabelle showed a consistent ability to get on base, draw veteran at-bats and make a difference on the base paths. The Hartford shortstop also plays with the Vermont Fury 14U travel team. While she struggled at times adjusting to the varsity level this year, Annabelle showed intangible skills on the diamond that can help her develop into a strong prospect in the coming years.     Shelby Marchessault split time this year between the JV and varsity levels with Missisquoi Valley Union, and she dominated nearly every time she went out to the circle. Her coach, Bill Sheets, said he wanted to maximize her time in the circle this season, priming her for a full rotation spot in 2026. It's clear she's cleared the JV hurdle, striking out 63 batters through 31 innings, while also compiling a .610 batting average. In her first taste of varsity ball this year, she struck out seven batters in a 9-0 shutout and going 2-for-4 at the plate. Shelby can take some big steps in the coming year to ensure she's a must-have pitching prospect from Vermont in the future.     [player_tooltip player_id='107846' first='Scarlett' last='Cimino'] is an athletic, two-sport star who set herself up for a decorated high school career in both softball and soccer at Twin Valley. Though she only played in a few games with the varsity softball team this year, Scarlett impressed when she was given opportunities. In nine games played, she batted .286 with five RBI, seven runs scored and drew 11 walks, while also stealing eight bags. It's still unclear whether or not she'll spend more of her time at catcher or in the outfield. Much of that will be decided by Twin Valley's roster next season. But regardless of where she plays, Scarlett's ability and athletic prowess will ensure she's someone to watch for the next three years.     Much like her teammate, Scarlett, Aliyah Walker is a two-sport athlete. As a basketball player, she's already helping her varsity team in a difficult conference. On the softball field, Aliyah ensured she had to keep seeing the field, performing well in any opportunity she got. In 30 plate appearances with the varsity team, she batted .292 with just four strikeouts, while also collecting four RBI, a double and a triple. She has an incredibly athletic frame that's helped her hold down the shortstop position as well as center field throughout her young career and will certainly make her a viable option for colleges across the country.     Any time a freshman can jump right into the circle with a varsity team and hold opposing squads scoreless, that player will likely see time in the circle again. That's exactly the type of spring Bella Oberkirch has put together. In her first taste of varsity softball, she's shut down some of Vermont's top lineups, acting as a versatile pitcher who can eat innings one day before closing out a win the next. She's working on a strong travel ball career as well, joining Slate Valley for this summer. She will look to enhance her pitch arsenal for 2026 and beyond.

The 2024-25 school year is just about ready to wrap up across the country, which means the high school softball season is winding down and players are getting ready for another fun summer of travel ball. In Vermont, some of the best softball players are trying to catapult themselves into the national recruiting conversation.