After contacting every junior college coach in the nation, conducting extensive research, and measuring the top junior college programs, we are very happy to recognize the first JUCO Hot 100. 

Many of these sophomores will go on to play at four-year universities and will likely be key contributors for high- or mid-major programs in 2019. Strong and competitive at their respective positions, these talented athletes hailed from all over the country.

70 | Emily Cox-Rock, OF | Valley

In 2017, Cox hit a .579 with 16 doubles, five triples, and 38 RBIs. She was named 2017 all-conference, all-region, and an NFCA and NJCAA All-American for a team that has won the past four NJCAA DIII National Championships. When she’s not balling out on the field, she’s balling out on the court as a member of Valley's 2017 NJCAA DIII national champion basketball squad. 

69 | Monica Pepe, IF | Louisburg (UNC Greensboro)

This lefty from Hickory, NC, is a hidden gem. After posting incredible rookie season stats, Pepe was fourth in the NJCAA with a .526 BA and 31 stolen bases all while striking out just six times in 114 at-bats. She received honorable mention All-American accolades and has picked up right where she left off. The shortstop is hitting a .482 with 20 stolen bases and has Louisburg again vying for a postseason berth. 

68 | Taylor Hollestelle, C/IF | Eastern Arizona

Hollestelle has turned into a force for the league-leading Gila Monsters. She is ranked in the top four in the ACCAC in batting average (.476) while being a top national performer in RBIs (71). She upped her power numbers from her freshman year tenfold and is a solid presence behind the plate for a team on the verge of a postseason surge. 

67 | Nicole Renner, IF | College of Southern Idaho

Renner smashed 13 home runs and 43 RBIs and was recognized as a Region 18 second-team honoree in 2017. The 6-foot-2 Reno, NV, native stepped into the spotlight, even more for the Golden Eagles this year. So far in 2018, Renner is hitting a .471 with 15 home runs, 17 doubles, and 51 RBIs. She has a strong presence in stature and is a leader for NJCAA eighth-ranked CSI. 

66 | Emily Sowell, P | Wallace Dothan

With a 21-0 record on the mound and a 1.65 ERA, Sowell has the Govs going places and getting there fast. After finishing the year 21-10, Sowell was named a first-team all-conference and second-team all-region pick in 2017. Sowell and fellow sophomore Ashlyn Golden (21-3, 1.59 ERA) have teamed up as one of the top pitching duos in the Country, as Wallace-Dothan sits at 50-3 and eyes a trip to Utah. 

65 | Savannah Martinez, UT | Trinity Valley

Martinez is known for her bat, and with coaches like Kathleen and James Rodriguez guiding the way, it’s no surprise that her power numbers are skyrocketing. In 2018, the Reisel, Texas, native has hit 18 home runs with 60 RBIs, a .464 BA, and a 1.100 slugging percentage. The Rodriguezes, who previously coached at UTEP, have always prided themselves on the long ball, and it looks like it has found its way to Trinity Valley. 

64 | Taylor Murray, IF | Jones County

For a program that routinely moves big hitters to the next level, Murray is sure to be next in line. Murray has lived up to the Bobcats' expectations of elite hitters by leading the team with 10 home runs and an NJCAA DII-best 58 RBIs, and it’s why NJCAA No. 5 Jones County always finds its team vying for a national championship. 

63 | Kyra Gipson, P | Seminole State (Flagler College)

Gipson has emerged as one of the top pitchers coming out of Florida, leading the Raiders in the hunt for another postseason berth. Already with a perfect game under her belt in 2018, Gipson is posting solid numbers for Courtney Miller's No. 14-ranked squad. Gipson is ranked top four in NJCAA DI in wins (23) and ERA (1.78), with an offense that is averaging five or more runs a game. 

62 | Amber Elliott, OF | Santiago Canyon College

This spunky lefty outfielder from Sunny Hills (CA) High School made an immediate impact on the SCC program, being named the 2017 team MVP after hitting .458 with 29 stolen bases. One of the quickest players with a high athletic index from AthPro360 in Southern Cal, Elliott has Santiago Canyon just three games out of the lead in the competitive Orange Empire Conference. 

61 | Savannah Julylia, IF | Indian River State (Central Florida)

An athletic middle infielder for the NJCAA No. 7-ranked Pioneers, Julylia is one of the best in the state at getting on base (.525 OB percentage) and scoring runs (44). Her .451 average leads the team and ranks among the top five in Florida. Julylia will be a bright addition for Renee Gillespie's Knights team at UCF.