Five Of The Summer's Most Clutch Hitters

With the summer winding down and the new school year on the horizon, it's time to look back at the players who boosted their stocks during the summer travel ball season.   These five elite hitters all delivered big hits for their teams in important situations and were not afraid of the big moment. They have the skills and calm demeanor under pressure that college coaches are always looking for.    Layla Wheeler's high school numbers from her freshman and sophomore seasons were good, but not eye-popping—a .327 batting average and .863 OPS across 42 games. But this summer, she showed signs of breaking out and becoming one of the top recruits in her class from the Hampton Roads area. At the Scenic City tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee in June, Wheeler hit .400 with a .500 on-base percentage and three stolen bases. She is also beginning to hit for more power, blasting a two-run triple over the center fielder's head at that event. Wheeler's power started to come along toward the end of the spring, complementing her excellent speed and defense. She is not afraid to leave her feet and lay out for sinking line drives in the outfield, then has the wherewithal to fire the ball back to the infield to double off baserunners. Wheeler is also a star sprinter in indoor track, competing in the 55- and 300-meter events.     A two-way player, Penelope Gilmore had a breakout weekend in mid-July at the John Biasi Super 72 Showcase in New Jersey, batting .600 with a .750 on-base percentage and three walks at that event. She delivered a game-tying two-run single at another New Jersey tournament last month, a sharp line drive through the left side of the infield. Gilmore hit .403 at the varsity level as an eighth grader in 2023, then had another strong season as a freshman while also putting in quality work in the pitcher's circle. She has a nice-looking uppercut swing that punishes mistakes and flashes occasional home-run power, and she can hit for extra bases to all fields as well as beat out a bunt for a hit. The New York City area may not be known for producing top softball prospects, but Gilmore is proving herself to be one of the brightest.     A tall, powerful bat who plays two important and very different positions—shortstop and center field—Josslynn Grimsley is coming off a huge summer. In Colorado in early July, she slashed .450/.532/1.000 with seven home runs and 23 runs batted in. Her bat speed is particularly impressive, and her strength makes her swing look effortless. Grimsley can blast a pitch over the heart of the plate to the pull side, and she can also extend her arms on pitches off the plate away and drive them over the fence to the opposite field. She hit just two homers as a high school sophomore but had nine doubles, a .407 average and a 1.195 OPS in 20 games. Grimsley has attended camps at Texas, Florida and Florida State.     An uncommitted 2026 prospect from outside of San Antonio, Makayla Soriano is coming off a spectacular junior season, batting .630 with a 1.681 OPS. She had 18 doubles and drove in 45 runs in 31 games with more walks than strikeouts to go along with eight stolen bases. Soriano kept up that production over the summer, hitting .583 at the Texas Fastpitch League Championship with four two-baggers. She uses the entire field and has a quick, explosive swing, and she is just as good in the field, diving to her backhand side to spear hot line drives up the middle and starting double plays with a smooth flip to second. Soriano carries a 4.0 GPA and is a National Honor Society member, and she continues to raise her profile heading into her senior year.     Another uncommitted rising senior, Lily Bryant hit .563 this past spring with a 1.575 OPS, 10 doubles, six home runs and 46 RBI in 26 games. She is at her best hitting line drives to the gaps, and had an impressive showing this summer at the Triple Crown National Tournament in Missouri. Bryant can reach pitches well outside the strike zone and punch them through the infield. Defensively, she is comfortable at shortstop, third base and second base and has a strong, accurate throwing arm. She is at her best charging in on softly-hit ground balls and making off-balance throws to first, but she can also take charge on pop-ups and communicates well with her teammates. Bryant carries a 4.2 GPA and is also a competitive weightlifter.

With the summer winding down and the new school year on the horizon, it's time to look back at the players who boosted their stocks during the summer travel ball season.