Five Underclassmen Making An Impact This Summer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This summer's softball season has been filled with standout performances, and a group of talented underclassmen are stepping up in a big way. These rising athletes are not just contributing, but they're also leading with confidence, skill, and consistency beyond their years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether it's delivering in pressure moments, dominating at the plate, or making game-changing plays in the field, these five underclassmen are proving they're ready to compete at the highest level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":109392,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kayla Valentin","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"30","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wiregrass Ranch","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Clearwater Lady Bombers Santiago 18U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6862aeac12c6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most exciting young players to watch this summer, Kayla Valentin is making waves as a quick and confident middle infielder. With a fielding percentage of .919 and standout recognition as the Boombah All-American Games Defensive Player, her instincts and athleticism anchor the infield. Offensively, Valentin is just as dangerous. She's hitting an impressive .485 with a .553 OBP and 1.341 OPS, proving she can do damage at the plate. Her .788 slugging percentage reflects her power, and she's shown an ability to leave the yard with authority. Valentin's combination of speed, glove work, and pop makes her one of the top underclassmen making a major impact this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":109047,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lainie Keefer","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"31","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Charleston","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Unity Amsler/Johnson 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686355bb2b6d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With versatility, power, and consistency, Lainie Keefer is proving she's the total package this summer. At the Scenic City Top 25 tournament, Keefer turned heads with a .450 batting average, .500 OBP, and a staggering 1.500 OPS. She tallied nine hits, drove in nine runs, crossed the plate six times, and launched three home runs, showcasing her ability to produce in the heart of the lineup. Defensively, Keefer was flawless, posting a 1.000 fielding percentage while excelling behind the plate and in the middle infield. Her ability to impact the game from multiple positions makes her one of the most valuable underclassmen to watch this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["102372"],"_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":109393,"_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-6862aeac12d25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A rising right-handed pitcher and versatile outfielder, Maia Contreras has embraced every challenge this summer with poise and determination. Competing nationally with the EC Bullets 16U National team out of Florida, Maia has gone head-to-head with top-tier talent at elite events like Show Me the Money, Grand Slam, and Scenic City Power Pool. Known for her movement and composure in the circle, Maia's most competitive pitches—her offspeed and drop—continue to evolve under the guidance of her pitching coaches. She recently hit a personal record of 60 mph on her fastball and holds a 1.000 fielding percentage, proving she's sharp on both defense and in the circle. Maia's work ethic and competitive mindset are setting her apart as one of the most promising underclassmen to watch this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":109394,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ashlyn u0022AJu0022 Davis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"31","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Louisiana Unity Savant 16U","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686355bb2b7d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Few players have made their presence felt this summer like Ashlyn “AJ” Davis. The standout underclassman is putting together a dominant stretch at the plate, hitting an eye-popping .567 with a .700 OBP, 18 walks, six home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Her blend of power, patience, and speed makes her a nightmare for opposing defenses and a cornerstone for her team. In the Capitols Summer Showcase, Davis turned in one of the most memorable performances of the tournament, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs and two home runs in a statement 12-5 win over the Gulf Coast Shockers. Whether it's her clutch hits, aggressive baserunning, or ability to drive in runs, AJ Davis is proving she's already impacting games in a major way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":109045,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaeda Tucker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"18","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ootlewah","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Fury Platinum X Higdon/Huckabay","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6862aeac12dee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most well-rounded and self-driven underclassmen this summer, Jaeda Tucker is making her mark both in the circle and at the plate. Known for her velocity—topping out at 67 mph—Jaeda has evolved her game by focusing not only on speed, but also on spin, pitch angles, and spin rates, while developing her deep arsenal that includes a 53 mph changeup, 65 mph drop ball, 63 mph rise, and 64 mph curve. Beyond her physical growth, Jaeda has also made major strides in her mental game. She's developed a new mindset centered on composure, breathing, and trusting her defense, which is a shift she credits in part to her mentor and FSU standout Jazzy Francik. This summer with Fury Platinum X Higdon/Huckabay, she's collected 34.2 innings pitched, 26 strikeouts, and a 2.22 ERA, while also continuing to hit at a solid .400 clip. Jaeda is not just a top talent, but she's also a student of the game and a true competitor who is poised for a big future ahead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->