2031 Players Poised To Build Recruiting Momentum

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the 2031 class is still years away from signing national letters of intent, college softball programs will surely have their eyes on players in the class this fall and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, Prep Softball highlights five prospects from the high school graduating class of 2031 who are poised to build recruiting momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["179504"],"_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-6aaca728e4af9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With her pop time of 1.75 and impressive arm strength for the 2031 class, Olivia Cook has solidified herself as the defensive anchor for her Alabama Impact Gold team. By transferring her quick-recovery skills and lateral movement from behind the plate to shortstop, Cook flashes her athleticism through her multi-positional ability. From the start of this year, Cook has been a model of consistency at the plate by controlling her barrel through the zone, staying disciplined against higher-level pitching, and driving the ball to the outfield. Being that she's in the 2031 class, her offensive situational IQ far exceeds her age. Additionally, she's not afraid to recognize that there's always room for improvement and fine-tuning. Showing leadership through humility and a strong work ethic at a young age is sure to generate recruiting buzz as showcases and camp schedules heat up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["183490"],"_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-6aacb9e908451"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Magic Gold product, this time from Indiana, is Aubrie Szymanski, a smooth operator at shortstop. She has a great advantage at the 14U level because her lateral agility is leagues ahead of her opponents'. She's essentially forcing opposing offenses to hit around her rather than through her. Szymanski has had extensive reps at shortstop, catcher, third base, and in the outfield across her young career, earning her a well-deserved utility designation. By dedicating time to several positions, she's elevated her defensive IQ and awareness, which has already proven to be a standout during high-pressure moments. While maintaining her dominance on defense, Szymanski has had elite spring and summer seasons, posting a .440 batting average while swinging from the left side.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emerie Kollenborn","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_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":"20","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bakersfield, CA","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Firecrackers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aacb9e9084ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Emerie Kollenborn splits time between catching and third base, she truly takes over the game when she's behind the plate. As one of two players involved in every single play, she stays poised under pressure and remains aggressive with runners on base to minimize the opponent's scoring potential. A steal attempt to second base on a pitch in the dirt is generally a close, competitive play, but not with Kollenborn at the helm. Her exceptional transfer and explosive arm strength easily make up for any pitching miscues. If a runner attempts a straight steal, she will throw her opponents out by 2.5 to 4 feet on average. Beyond arm talent, Kollenborn brings physicality to her Firecrackers team on the offensive side of the ball. She showcases upper-level slugging power and a high motor with great base-running IQ to take extra bases.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Alyssa Marie Knowles","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"4'8u0022","_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":"El Paso, TX","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Lady Rangers","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad5ef14d903"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alyssa Marie Knowles brings a disciplined, line-drive-oriented approach to the plate, which maximizes her compact swing and frame. Given that she is a constant line-drive threat, she also leverages her speed on the bases, forcing opposing defenses to make mistakes and rush their throws. Knowles doesn't appear to have a defensive weakness, as she is a true "jack of all trades," including as a pitcher. The positions that likely utilize her skills best are right field or second base.</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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Callie Hubbard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2031","_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":"28","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dalton, GA","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"High Standard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aad5ef14d9a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Callie Hubbard simply has the kind of speed you have to game-plan around, with a home-to-first time of 2.9 seconds. She constantly applies pressure to opposing teams, whether she's up to bat or on the bases. As a seasoned slapper, she has the ability to drag bunt, chop the ball over an infielder's head, drive the ball down into the feet of any fielder, or hit line drives down the line in either direction. Her elite speed transitions seamlessly into the outfield, allowing her to cover extensive amounts of grass and take away extra-base hits. Hubbard will continue to extend her throwing range as she matures, but her mechanics are smooth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->