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.

60 | Bailie Springfield, P/IF |  Itawamba CC

The sophomore transfer from Delta State University has helped Itawamba claim its highest national ranking in school history, as the Indians debuted at No. 4 in the latest poll. Springfield has been a key to their skyrocketing success. She currently boasts a 17-3 record and 1.35 ERA and has Itawamba in the driver’s seat for a spot at the postseason party.  

59 | Madi McCoy, IF | Illinois Central (Bowling Green University)

McCoy finished 2017 with a .455 average, 17 HRs and 60 RBIs while being named to the Region 24 first team and Region 24 All-Tournament team. This year is going pretty much the same amazing way for the sophomore leadoff hitter and starting shortstop: .459 BA, 13 HRs, and 44 RBIs.

58 | Alexis Sydnor, OF | Wallace-Dothan CC

Sydnor, a returning first-team All-Region selection, is leading the 38-2 Lady Govs in almost every offensive category. Her 10 HRs and 62 RBIs have her ranked among the best in the ACCCA conference. A member of the president's and dean’s lists every semester, Sydnor is a huge reason for Dothan’s dominating resurgence in the Southeast. 

57 | Alexis Grampp, IF/DP | Chipola College (Eastern New Mexico State University)

Grampp is someone you may not notice if you can’t look past the Indians' two dominating pitchers, but she is more than deserving of all the accolades that come Chipola’s way. At 5-9 she looks the part of hitting the long ball (which she did in 2017 with 12 HRs and 56 RBIs) but what you would be surprised about is that she has stolen close to 100 bases in her two-year career and is second on the team in 2018 in runs scored. The Tennessee native is a huge key to the Indians’ success.

56 | Ashley Kriesel, P | Galveston College (Stephen F. Austin University)

After an impressive prep career at Mayde Creek (Texas) High School, Kriesel stamped her name as one of the top freshman pitchers in the state and in the NJCAA after posting a 22-12 record with 243 strikeouts while leading the Whitecaps to the Region XIV Tournament. Sitting at 18-4 with a 1.72 ERA and averaging over 8 Ks a game, she is pitching Galveston within reach of another postseason run.

55 | Danae Villarreal, IF | Clarendon

Her freshman numbers were impressive coming from a conference littered with Division I talent—a .426 BA with 11 HRs and 43 RBIs with a .500 OB percentage. But her sophomore year has her in a group of the elite—among the nation’s leaders in BA (.552) and RBIs (76) she has smashed 13 HRs with a .636 OB percentage AND is slugging 1.086. All of this while leading Clarendon to just two games back of league-leading Howard, which is a huge turnaround from a 30-29 team a year ago. 

54 | Brieanna Brock, P | Iowa Western CC (Bellevue University)

The returning Co-Region 11 Pitcher of the Year and Fastpitchnews.com All-American is continuing her reliable work on the mound for NJCAA No. 15-ranked Iowa Western. The Lincoln, CA, native has a 16-2 record with 114 Ks and is continuing to climb.

53 | Kiana Carr, P | Phoenix College

Among the NJCAA D2 leaders in wins (second with 21) and strikeouts (second with 163), Carr has Phoenix sitting at No. 6 in the national poll and clawing for a return trip to the NJCAA DII National Tournament after being ousted in the quarterfinals in 2017. Carr is coming into her own after waiting in the wings behind a trio of successful pitchers that moved on to the four-year level. She owns a 21-1 record with a 1.87 ERA and is averaging close to 9 Ks per game. Carr has quite a few universities vying for her services for next year. 

52 | Alexis Moeaki, OF | McCook CC

The Indians got a good one when the 5-foot-7 shortstop from Las Vegas decided to make the trek to Nebraska to start her college career. Moeaki is a returning first-team All-Region IX and NFCA First-Team All-West Region performer after hitting a .460 with 16 HRs and 66 RBIs. Similar numbers in 2018 (.455, 66 RBIs) will surely garner her more accolades before she continues her career at the four-year level. 

51 |  Riley Russell, OF | Florida Southwestern (Stetson University)

The nation’s leader in stolen bases (65), Russell has a knack for not only getting on base (.497 OB percentage) but also making it count when she does, as she leads the Bucs in runs scored. A returning All-Suncoast Conference performer after swiping 53 bases in 2017, she is a sure bet to turn a hit into a double every time she reaches first with her 2.78 speed down the line. She has been a perfect fit for coach Robert Iamurri’s running-style offense that led Florida Southwestern to the NJCAA D1 Championships for three straight years. An NJCAA Academic All-American as well, Russell looks to add to the long list of FSW players shining at the next level.