The 2018 Hot 100 wrapped up on Friday and we unveiled the final 10 players in the list of elite freshmen capped by the No. 1 recruit.

We talked to over three dozen club and college coaches from across the country and many said this 2018 class is loaded, especially at the top.

Many of the top 20-30 names kept coming up repeatedly, but when we kept hearing about the player who ended up being No. 1, no one said this dominating pitcher shouldn't be the top rated prospect.

This player is Brooke Vestal, the freshman pitcher from New Braunfels, Texas who plays for the Texas Bombers Gold team and is lighting up the high school ranks in the Lone Star State this spring just as she did the club circuit last year.

Brooke really blossomed last summer in the Colorado tournament and then continued to improve through Nationals where she had 19 strikeouts in one game and had more K's than anyone other pitcher at any age division.

Blessed with amazing physical tools, what has everyone raving about Brooke is her coachability, desire to improve and a high ceiling that many coaches say could make her a once-in-a-generation player.

Below, you'll hear from Brooke about what it means to be the No. 1 ranked player in the freshman class and also two interviews we did with her, one at PGF Nationals in 2013 and the following one from PGF Nationals in 2014.

You'll see an immense jump in confidence and personality, which mirrors the development she's made physically on the field and in her successful results.

First, though, to show what an unselfish and giving young athlete she is, be sure to check the program Brooke has set up to raise money for Military Veterans called: "SPITZER STRIKEOUTS" where she's taking donations for every strikeout she records this year…

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When I found out my name would be at the top of this list all kind of feelings went through my mind.

Excitement came first because it is always great to be recognized for success in your sport, particularly on a list of players I have been hearing about over the years.

Once I got over that I started thinking about my softball journey up to this point, and where I hope to go.

I quickly realized that it will be tougher for me to sneak up on hitters now than it has been in the past! I will have to make sharp pitches and mix up my game more.

The batter may know who I am, but that softball doesn't know who is throwing it!

My introduction to national level ball came three summers ago when I joined coach Placido Garcia and the Austin Stars team. At that point I was a hard-throwing, tall girl with control problems and zero confidence.

During my time there I developed into a pitcher and learned to handle the job of getting the ball for the tough games. Those opportunities are now my favorite part of the game.

As I gain more experience in softball, I try to learn everything I can about mental side of pitching. I try to be aware of the little things that are going on throughout a game.

I am particularly aware of pitch sequences and how the hitters react to what I am throwing to them. I know that one of these little tidbits will one day get me out a tough spot.

My favorite thing about softball is competing in national tournaments against the best teams and players in the country. I love the intensity and focus required to make good pitches to good hitters for a week. I know I will not win every battle, but I try to learn from the experiences.

This season I will be playing for Scott Smith's Texas Bombers 18 Gold team which will be quite a challenge for me. We are playing a tough schedule and it just dawned on me that some of the seniors I pitch to this year will play in the College World Series next year.

Wow!

I am preparing for the jump by adding a few pitches to my game. I generally throw a screw, rise and curve all over the zone, and I am working to tighten up some off-speed stuff. I look forward to having a few more options to get tough outs.

For now, I am enjoying my freshman year at Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas. We are in a tight district race and preparing for a run at the 6A State title.

My first high school game got off to an unplanned start when I walked four or five batters and hit two more in the first inning. That was not the way I planned to take on the high school game! Once I finally got through that inning, things settled down and I began to pitch well.

My last thought is that I still have a lot of softball to play. I know that it will take a lot of hard work and a little luck for me to still be mentioned with these girls when I finish playing the game.

See you on the dirt!

Brooke

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Brooke Vestal, pitcher for the Austin Stars, at the 2013 PGF Nationals…

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Brooke Vestal, pitcher for the Texas Bombers, at the 2014 PGF Nationals…