Fall Recruiting Heats Up as 2028 Stars Shine at Eastern Elite

It’s October, and the softball world is buzzing. With more than 650 verbal commitments from the 2027 class since September 1st and fall ball in full swing for most collegiate programs, coaches are busy evaluating talent and securing their rosters. Meanwhile, the spotlight is starting to turn toward the Class of 2028, who have just under a year before their September 1st!

This past weekend marked the first weekend of the Division 1 fall recruiting window, and college coaches were out in force, keeping tabs on soon-to-be signees, recent commits, and, of course, the 2028 talent starting to make waves.

I caught up with two rising stars from the 2028 class: Kennedy Coplen (3B/OF) from Jupiter, FL, who plays for EC Bullets Premier 16U – Matt, and Ainsley Minchew (P/Utility) from Leesburg-Batesville, SC, who plays for Athletics Tamborra Vallery 16U. Both teams competed in the Eastern Elite Fall Tournament in Chattanooga, TN, and both earned berths to next summer’s Alliance Fastpitch Championships in Indiana.

Kennedy Coplen – EC Bullets Premier 16U – Matt

EC Bullets battled out of the losers bracket, playing four games on Sunday alone. Coplen brought the power at the plate, hitting two home runs and finishing the weekend with a .353 batting average, 6 hits, a triple, and 7 RBIs. Her performance was key in leading her team against tough competition.

When asked about her weekend, Coplen said she was thrilled with her performance. She’s been working hard to prepare for elite 16U competition and saw the results of her efforts last weekend.

Ainsley Minchew – Athletics Tamborra Vallery 16U

Minchew helped lead her team to a perfect 5-0 weekend, including a nail-biting win over Fury Platinum X Pickett 16U. She pitched in all five games, totaling 9 innings, 10 strikeouts, and allowing only 1 earned run. She even came in relief in the final game to secure the win and punch the team’s ticket to the 2026 AFCS.

Reflecting on her weekend, Minchew said, she was happy with how she did. She had a few more walks than she’d have liked—8—but she had the opportunity to work on her drop ball against live batters for the first time since August.

Both teams will continue their fall campaigns next weekend at the Ray Seymour Invitational Showcase in Newberry, FL, where Kennedy and Ainsley will look to impress the college coaches in attendance.