School has started across the country and that means we can look ahead to the 2017 Softball season. We start by looking at 10 College Softball Freshman you may want to keep a close eye on in 2017 season. As is generally the case, how much these freshman play is hard to say. They will be evaluated in the fall and throughout off-season workouts. Based on exceptional high school and club performances, the following freshman could have breakout seasons or at the very least have a significant impact on their teams success.
This is not a ranking and is not intended to be a list of who is the “best” players coming out of high school. These are players that you may, or may not be aware of, that may have a real impact on their team in 2017. Note that nine are freshman on the list and one is a first year junior college transfer.
Mariah Lopez, Pitcher – Oklahoma
Lopez, a Saugus, CA native, is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the 2016 class. She set the Saugus record for strikeouts in just three seasons, missing most of her junior season because of injury. Lopez was also the pitcher for the national powerhouse club the OC Batbusters where she contributed to three straight national championships. She is known as a strikeout pitcher and joins the defending national champions at a time where they could use pitching depth.
Lopez is one of two freshman pitchers the Sooners bring in along with Missouri transfer Paige Lowary. This puts Oklahoma in a very different position, if they all pan out. They should have a wealth of depth behind their ace Paige Parker. All three of the new pitchers bring something different to the table and should all compliment each other.
Kendyl Lindaman, Catcher – Minnesota
Head coach Jessica Allister has slowly been building a strong program, in large part to strong recruiting. Lindaman is a great find for the Gophers and should contribute from the start. The Ankeny, IA native ticks off several needs Minnesota has. The first is they needed a new catcher, check. Second, they needed to add a power hitter, check. Finally, they needed someone who could contribute right away, check. Lindaman sits fourth nationally for career home runs in high school with 71.
With the departure of two catchers to graduation, Allister was left with just one other catcher on roster. Lindaman comes in at the right time. As we stated, Minnesota could use a legitimate power hitter in their line-up. Last season they had three players hit 10 or more home runs and all three return. Lindaman adds what should be a fourth making nearly half of the Gopher batting order deep ball threats.
Bailey Hemphill, Catcher – Alabama
Hemphill was one we had to consider since the Tide already have two young catchers on the roster. The reason for her making this list is her bat. Hemphill is considered one of the top power hitters in the 2016 class and power is something coach Murphy needs. In her senior season at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA she hit 12 home runs, which came out to about once every four at bats. She is also known as an exceptional defensive catcher.
As stated, there is a bit of a logjam at catcher, but in 2016 the Tide only had two players hit 10 or more home runs and one of them has graduated in Leona Lafaele (14). The other is catcher Reagan Dykes (11). Those two alone accounted for nearly 50% of the Tides home runs in 2016. One has to think that coach Murphy will find a way to get Hemphill’s bat into the line-up. In the end she could become an important piece of the puzzle next season.
Madilyn “Bubba” Nickles, Pitcher/UT – UCLA
Nickles is a huge get for the Bruins and Head Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. The Chula Vista, CA native is considered by many one of the best all-around players in the 2016 class. She is an outstanding pitcher that can play pretty much anywhere in the field. She also has an exceptional bat and can hit for both power and consistency. Nickles was a key player for the USA Junior National Team which won the Junior World Championship in 2015.
Pitching was an area that the Bruins struggled some with in the post season. The addition of Nickles helps. They also lose two of the better hitters in Allexis Bennett (.400) and Mysha Sataraka (.380). One way or another it is expected that Nickles will have an immediate impact on the Bruins.
Miranda Elish, Pitcher – Oregon
Elish is one of two outstanding pitchers that the Ducks bring in for the 2017 season. The other is Maggie Balint (West Grove, PA). Considered the top pitching prospect in the country, Elish will look to establish herself on a staff that loses their ace Cheridan Hawkins to graduation. She has played for one of the best clubs in the country. the Beverly Bandits and helped them to a 16U national title. Elish is also a three-time Gatorade player of the year in Indiana.
Head Coach Mike White needed to add depth in the circle and he did that with two top flight pitchers. Elish should see innings early and will play a major roll in the Ducks continued success. If both pitchers work out as planned, the Ducks will be in great shape for years to come.
Laney Joyner, Utility – Auburn
Coach Clint Myers is bringing in a large class in 2016. There are several players that could have fit here, but in the end we leaned towards Joyner (Woodstock, GA) as possibly being an impact player in 2017. The main reason is her ability to consistently hit for power. Several others coming in could also add power, one of them being Justus Perry. Joyner is known for ability to play multiple positions and again, her power. She has played at a high level as a member of the Birmingham Thunderbolts, the same team as Perry, so playing against a high level of competition should not be an issue.
The Tigers lose two of three power threats from 2016 in Emily Carosone (13 HR) and Jade Rhodes (20 HR). They do return their home run leader Kasey Cooper (21). Auburn is in good shape heading into the 2017 season. It appears they have addressed the majority of their needs with the incoming class. Now we wait to see who steps forward.
Amanda Doyle, Infield – LSU
Doyle fills a big need for coach Beth Torina as she is projected to play third base for the Tigers. It is no secret that they struggled on that side of the ball in 2016 and they lose All-American Bianka Bell. Doyle is a hitter that can hit for power and average hailing from Flower Mound, TX. She also won several defensive awards while in High school.
Improving the defense is important for the Tigers, who have amazing depth in the circle. Offensively they are in decent shape and Doyle only adds to that. If she can step in and anchor the left side of the infield, LSU should take a step forward.
Parker Conrad, Pitcher – Missouri
Things seem to be settling down in Columbus, but they have to deal with the fallout of what transpired with head coach Ehren Earleywine. He will remain the head coach but now has to deal with rebuilding things, especially in the circle. The good news is that help is on its way in the form of Winter Park, FL recruit Parker Conrad. Conrad is a tall hard throwing strikeout type of pitcher. Her junior year in high school she averaged 15 per game. She played her club ball with the nationally recognized East Cobb Bullets.
As a result of an investigation numerous players asked for and received releases from the Missouri program. That included their two main pitchers. Conrad gives them a power pitcher they can develop. The issue is, she will most likely be required to contribute right out of the gate. If she handles the pressure Missouri may be no worse for the wear.
Cassidy Davis, Pitcher – Florida State
The Florida Seminoles are coming off a strong 2016 campaign. They had one glaring need and that was pitching depth. They address that with Cassidy Davis (Valrico, FL) who helped lead her summer team, the Tampa Mustangs, to a 2015 PGF national championship. Matter of fact she only gave up one earned run in that tournament. That is impressive when considering the caliber of hitters she faced. She also has a solid bat that coach Lonni Alameda could utilize.
One big reason for that the Seminoles had success was their strong pitching. Jessica Burroughs will enter her senior season and they return Megan King. Davis comes in at the right time for coach Alameda. If Davis can serve as a solid number three and the Seminoles can lock down their defense, they should be in for another good season. It will allow Davis time to develop.
Rylee Bayless, Infield – Oklahoma State
Bayless is the only “non” freshman on the list. She will be a junior, but this will be her first season playing at the NCAA DI level. She transfers in from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College where she was the two-time Dudley NJCAA Division I Softball Player of the Year. Bayless is a pure hitter that should have an immediate impact on the Cowboy offense. Her statistics from last season are impressive batting .621 with 26 doubles, 23 home runs and 111 runs. Add to that a 1.163 slugging percentage and you can see why she may have a big impact.
The Cowboys lose their main power threat in Tiffany Mikkelson and her 11 home runs in 2016. Bayless should be able to step right in and fill that void for coach Kenny Gajewski. She is a dynamic hitter and should bring some excitement to Stillwater.
