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.

30 | Kennedy Anderson, IF | North Idaho College

An NFCA All-American last year, Anderson was the Northwest Athletic Conference leader in RBIs with 82 while also hammering 16 home runs and finishing with a .500 batting average. The Cardinals are currently 33-2 overall, and the former Southern California Jets Gold infielder is carrying a .445 average with 45 RBIs, eight home runs, and just two strikeouts in 110 at-bats. Anderson is projected as one of the top offensive players to watch as North Idaho College looks to hold it down in the NWAC. 

29 | Melanie Groenewegen, IF | College of Southern Idaho

The Canadian infielder is coming off a first-team all-region nod in 2017, and it's clear she has softball genes to make it at the DI level. Sisters Sara and Marina were both All-Americans. Most notably Sara made history at the University of Minnesota and Marina at Bradley. Melanie is following suit, hitting .531 (fifth in the country) with 63 RBIs, 10 home runs, and just six strikeouts in 147 at-bats. CSI last took a trip to St. George, Utah, for the NJCAA National Championships in 2014. Currently, the Golden Eagles are three games up on Salt Lake in the Scenic West. We’ll see if they can punch their ticket in 2018 with Groenewegen leading the way.

28 | Madoline Seumalo, OF | Howard

Seumalo is one of the premier outfielders in the country. She’s a pure lefty from Kent, Washington, who made a name for herself in 2017. She was recognized as a first-team all-conference and NFCA All-West Region member after batting .446 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs. Outperforming last year’s stats, Seumalo is leading 13th-ranked Howard with a .500 average while adding 11 home runs and 55 RBIs. The Hawks are in a tight race for the WJCAC Region 5 Championship, tied for the top spot heading into the final week of regular season.

27 | Katie McLean, OF | Lincoln Land (Univ. of Evansville)

Last season, McLean was named an NJCAA Second-Team All-American and was also named 2017 MWAC Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Region 24 Player of the Year. No big deal. Described as a “complete player” by a Division I head coach, McLean is currently leading the Loggers with a .478 average and is destined for great things at the next level.

26 | Elisa Favela, P/UTL | Bossier Parish

The Hawaii native Favela is another returning second-team NJCAA All-American for the Lady Cavs. A well-rounded athlete, she finished up the 2017 season with a .466 average, smashing 21 bombs and collecting 61 RBIs. She was also 20-3 on the mound with a 1.87 ERA. Favela is on pace for another stellar season, batting .500 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs. In the circle, she has 13 wins with 130 strikeout victims. Favela puts the "boss" in Bossier.

25 | Sieli Aholelei, P/UTL | Edmonds CC

From Honolulu, Hawaii, Aholelei is a returning NWAACC All-American after leading the Tritons with her arm and bat. She finished the 2017 season with 20 home runs, 59 RBIs, and a .508 batting average to go along with her 16 wins on the mound. So far this season, she has picked up where she left off, hitting .534 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs. On the mound, Aholelei is 16-2 with an NWAC-best 158 strikeouts. Many players from the Northwest Athletic Conference get overlooked but Aholelei should be one that opens the door.

24 | Haylee Short, OF | Lake Land

Short actually started her college softball career early after graduating from her Hillsboro (MO) High School in December 2016 and it looked to be a perfect time. Immediately proving herself to be a valuable piece of the Lake Land program, Short helped lead her team to a fourth-place finish at the NJCAA World Series after hitting  .411 with 20 doubles and 61 RBIs. Not too bad for a kid who was supposed to be finishing up her senior year. 

23 | Alicia Garcia, P/UTL | Palomar College

The already talented Palomar College softball program added firepower to its roster when the Mira Mesa (CA) High School star Garcia decided to make the move back home after a year playing junior college ball in Texas. In her first year with the program, the sophomore transfer holds a flawless 20-0 record on the mound. She is currently second in all of the CCCAA with a 0.67 ERA and is averaging over nine strikeouts per game. The San Diego Renegade alum also boasts a .442 batting average with 20 doubles and 29 RBIs. Whether she's on the mound, at the plate, or playing middle infield, Garcia ranks in the top percentile on the AthPro360 scale. She is a sure bet to shine at the next level.

22 | Celina Sullivan, P | Butler

Patience is a virtue and for the sophomore from Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2018 is her season to shine. After sharing time behind two All-American pitchers who are now at NCAA DI programs, Sullivan could potentially lead Butler to back-to-back-to-back national titles. Last season, she posted a 7-0 record with a 0.95 ERA while averaging close to nine Ks per outing. She has put up All-American-like numbers in 2018 with an 18-1 record, five saves, an NJCAA fifth-best 0.85 ERA and over 12 strikeouts per game. Her willingness to learn and grow during her freshman year has not only made her a better pitcher but has also made Butler a certified contender for the title once again.

21 | Shaena Robinson, OF | Marshalltown

This 5-foot-2 fireball from Gardnerville, Nevada, received staggering accolades in her freshman year. After picking up ICCAC Offensive Player of the Year honors for her .493 average, 16 home runs, and 49 RBIs, Robinson was awarded first-team All-ICCAC Region and first-team NFCA All-Region nods and then topped it off with All-American honors from both the NJCAA and NFCA. She is having a sensational sophomore season, hitting 16 home runs with 39 RBIs and a .444 batting average. The elementary education major was also named to the NJCAA All-Academic team.