FloSoftball continues our look at the class of 2018 as we update the Hot 100 over the next two weeks, spotlighting 10 or more outstanding players each day on the way to the unveiling of the No. 1 player and the top 2018 recruiting classes on Tuesday, November 7.

This list is an updated version of our initial 2018 Hot 100 rankings, and 20 of the honorees will be new to the list after our last version published in December 2016.

After the top 100 is finalized, FloSoftball will shortly thereafter profile the No. 1 player and then list the "next in" classes comprising recruits Nos. 101-200, 201-300, 301-400, and 401-500!

FloSoftball has ranked the Hot 100 beginning with the 2014 class and has done every grad year since including 2015, '16, '17, '18, '19, '20, and '21. We've also updated most of those years several times.

These 2018 honorees were chosen based on input and feedback from college and club coaches as well as our own FloSoftball event and in-person observations. Criteria for choosing and ranking the players includes performances at the club and high school levels and projecting how they will play at the collegiate level.




70 | Clare Zureich, P/1B | Lady Lightning (Virginia)
With 267 strikeouts in 129 innings of work at Cardinal Gibbons High, Zureich is a program game-changer. The southpaw has limited opponents to a .108 batting average and posted huge victories over Gold Coast Hurricanes, Firecracker Rico, and So Cal Briggs. This summer she struck out 160 batters in 92 innings. Not only can she pitch, Zureich contributes on offense, posting a .468 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage. One notable club coach said, "Clare was one of the best pitchers I saw all summer. She beat Brooke Vestal in Colorado shutting out Rico 5-0." Zureich will be one of the top pitchers to watch going into the 2018 season. She verbally committed to Virginia in July 2015.

69 | Jessica Morgan, C/3B | East Cobb Bullets - Caymol (Georgia)
Morgan dominated the prep scene this past season hitting .544 with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs while striking out just twice all season. Her ability to let the ball get deep in the zone and drive the ball opposite field continues to impress. And while Morgan is projected to make an immediate impact in the Bulldogs lineup, her ability to control the game from behind the plate truly sets her apart. Morgan is a vocal leader who commands the defense. She recorded a 1.7 pop time and receives well behind the plate. She will take her talents to the University of Georgia early, opting to enroll this coming January, and may be behind the plate in February for the Bulldogs.

68 | Kaitlin Parsons, IF/OF | Firecrackers - Rico (Tennessee)
Parsons is an exceedingly fast lefty slapper who helped lead Los Alamitos to the FloSoftball FAB 50 No. 1 final ranking after the Griffins beat Norco to win the CIF Southern Section Division I title. Her slapping technique and footwork is textbook, but it's her bat control and bat speed that can dismantle the defense. She was All-Orange County as a utility player and is an impressive athlete who can play multiple positions including shortstop, at which she has lined up in high school. Said one coach, however, "She'll do great in the outfield at Tennessee. One of her strengths is her mental makeup and some scouts feel she's college-ready now."

67 | Makena Smith, C | So Cal Choppers - Fausett (Cal-Berkeley)
A well-rounded catcher with excellent tools on offense and defense, Smith is a team leader in most offensive categories and can come up with the clutch hit or get on base as needed. The So Cal senior has good hands as a backstop and in the field where she is a strong corner candidate. This year for Murrieta Valley (Murrieta, CA) High team she hit .391 with 17 RBIs with 11 doubles while only striking out twice in 86 plate appearances. Smith compiled a .950 fielding percentage. She's also been a standout goalkeeper in soccer and her quick reflexes and natural athletic ability serve her well in both sports. Smith will sign with Cal this November.

66 | Ellie Mataya, OF | Lady Lightning (Boston College)
Mataya is a true leadoff hitter who is a nuisance to the opposing defense. Whether she's laying down a drag bunt or slapping, her speed allows her to wreak havoc on the opposition. One club coach said, "Ellie is the hardest out in the lineup." She's had national success playing for Lady Lightning in ASA and USSSA nationals and has experienced high-pressure situations. She earned All-6A North Region and second-team all-state honors for her Lake Braddock (Burke, VA) High team this year. Mataya will continue her softball career at Boston College.

65 |Chyenne Factor, OF/SS | Oklahoma Athletics (Oklahoma State)
Factor was named the player of the year in the 6A Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference this fall after batting .651 with 46 RBIs, seven home runs, and compiling a 1.763 on-base slugging percentage. The 5-foot-8 power hitter also hit .567 with 12 home runs for the Athletics over the summer. The four-year starter at Yukon High can hit for power and also has the speed to steal bases. With her versatility and athletic skills, Factor can play anywhere in the outfield or infield. One college coach said, "She's a steal for (head coach) Kenny (Gajewski) at OSU and has the talents to be an all-conference, if not All-American, type player."

64 | Angelina Biele, P | East Cobb Bullets - Schnute (Duke)
Biele is expected to log in innings early at Duke. She's a poised, control-based pitcher with great movement and a strong repertoire of pitches. Daughter of long-time club coach Andrew Biele, the senior throws a screw, rise and change and has solid game management skills with the knack for making the right pitch when it counts. Playing for her father's Bullet's team this year, she was second on the team in ERA and helped the 16U squad to a strong finish. Biele will play on the 18U Gold team this season. As a senior this fall, she led her team to the playoffs with an 18-3 record after going 24-4 as a junior with 179 Ks in 120 innings to help Mount Pisgah Christian (John's Creek, GA) make it to the state quarterfinals.

63 | Kloyee Anderson, 2B/OF | Georgia Impact  - Lewis (Alabama)
Anderson is a gifted athlete who can play any outfield position as well as second base. At the plate, Anderson can use both the short game and power to get on base, which makes her extremely effective at both the top and bottom of the order. Her coaches praise her great instincts and ability to get good jumps and cover a lot of ground in the outfield as well as at second base. During the past three years at Enka High School Kloyee, she has earned three all-state honors and two all-conference honors, including 2017 MAC Conference Player of the Year. Anderson is committed to Alabama.

62 | Audrie LaValley, MIF | Oklahoma Athletics (Oklahoma)
LaValley is a powerful lefty who can drive the ball to all fields with a beautifully natural swing. Her excellent range at shortstop and smooth hands, coupled with a strong and accurate arm, is only part of what made her one of the highest recruited athletes in her class for Oklahoma. Last season at Carl Albert High School, LaValley hit .422 with 7 HRs leading her team to its second-consecutive 5A state championship. LaValley is an athlete that continues to get stronger and will fare well when she joins the Oklahoma Sooners next fall.

61 | Gracie Osbron, C/MIF | Tennessee Fury (Tennessee)
Osbron is one of the most well-rounded athletes in this 2018 class. She has elite-level intelligence and decision-making capabilities behind the plate, a verified pop-time of 1.50, and is versatile enough to take her cannon from behind the plate to shortstop as well. Osbron has also developed into quite a power hitter who can drive the ball out of the park but also leg out an infield single with good speed down the line. Last season with Henry County High School, she hit a remarkable .506 with 44 hits, 10 HRs, 32 RBIs, and 43 runs scored. The Tennessee commit earned Class 3A all-state honors and was a finalist for the Tennessean's Softball Player of the Year.