We're hitting the meat of the fall club showcase schedule and after weighing several factors--including summer performances, the return of key players, and the addition of talented new ones--we begin our "preseason rankings" with a look at the top 18U club teams.



Each day this week, we'll unveil 10 teams and conclude on Friday, October 14 with teams ranked 10-1. On Saturday, we'll list the Next In teams, those who are best poised to jump into the next updated FAB 50 with strong fall, winter, and spring play.

If we've missed anything or you would like to provide input on your favorite teams and players, send your info/insights to: Brentt.Eads@FloSports.tv.

Click here to see the previous rankings: 50-41

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RANK	TEAM	BIO
40	Atlanta Vipers Gold	Dickey Vallery's team did well enough this year, finishing second at USA Softball JO Cup and 33rd at PGF Nationals, and the team got stronger on the field and in the dugout. The coaching staff has added Sharon Perkins, the four-time ACC Coach of the Year, and brings in strong players like Chooch Carroll, a 2020 Auburn commit, who's rated as one of the top five players in her class. 2019 3B Terrica Williams (Southern Miss), 2019 2B/1B Katie Perkins (North Carolina), and 2018 SS/C Kelsey Bennett (Virginia Tech) join a strong returning core that includes 2017 P Keara Napoli (Georgia) and 2018 IF Savana Sikes (Auburn).
39	Illinois Chill Gold	Gerry Quinn always has his Chill team competitive and ready to compete but will have to replace losing two graduated Hot 100 talents in pitcher Caroline Hedgcock (Arkansas) and C/3B Kayla Conwent (Wisconsin). The good news is the Chill, which finished 33rd at PGF Nationals, have a lot of young talent coming up through their 16U and 14U teams and the Gold team will benefit. Players to watch include seniors such as P Hailey Baker (Illinois), P Hannah Nommensen (North Carolina), and SS/CF Emily Hudgins (Penn State), along with 2018 IF Claire Swedberg (Penn State).
38	Washington Ladyhawks Gold Miller	Wayne Miller isn't afraid to take the Ladyhawks anywhere to compete and just finished a cross-country weekend at the Team NJ Fall Showcase. The Northwest team finished 13th at PGF Nationals this summer and returns eight 2017 players, including slugging infielder Maddie Morgan (Alabama). Also on the roster is up-and-coming 2020 pitcher Kassidy Millar and Seton Hall committed 2017 catcher Payton Beaver.
37	Iowa Premier Gold	The Iowa Premier won the PGF 18U Platinum title, and they haven't missed a beat in the fall, going 27-1 overall and 9-0 at the Triple Crown Super 72 Elite in Chicago and the USA Elite Select Triumph Invitational in Des Moines. The makeup of the team is a combo of the returners from the 18U team and members of the 16U that finished third at PGF Platinum this summer. Key players to watch include 2017 P Sarah Schaefer (Michigan), who some feel is one of the top-three hurlers in the Midwest, and 2018 3B/OF Juvia Davis, who combines speed and power. An uncommitted player to look for is Hallie Ketchum, a 2018 outfielder with offers from Northwestern, Iowa, Minnesota, and Iowa State.
36	Firecrackers-Brashear	Sean Brashear's team finished third at Triple Crown Sparkler/Fireworks this summer as well as placing 33rd at PGF Nationals and finishing co-champions at the TCS NIT. Hitting and base running are the strengths of the team, meaning a lot of runs will be scored when you play the Firecrackers. Key returning players include seniors such as 2B Julia Noskin (Utah), SS Serena Quintana (Jacksonville), C Alizae Umi, and 1B Cassidy Fitzgerald (Idaho State). There's also some good young talent, including 2018 infielder Hannah Matteson (Stanford).
35	So Cal Breakers-Beddow	Considered by many as the top team in San Diego, the Breakers went 37-7 over the summer and return nine 2017 and 2018 players who are committed. Brant Beddow's team took first in the So Cal PGF Qualifier and the Schutt Cup and finished 17th at the PGF Premier Nationals. The battery is strong with seniors Hannah Bailey (Minnesota) and Anissa Amarillas (Villanova) in the circle throwing to catcher Sarah Lillie (Oregon State). The infield is equally solid with fellow seniors Caitie Ladd (Michigan State) and Olivia LaQua (Colgate) strong up the middle at second and short, respectively.
34	Texas Sudden Impact Gold	Perennially one of the top teams in Texas, Sudden Impact finished third at TC/USA Nationals in New York City this summer and took ninth place at the Colorado Fireworks Super 48. The team was scheduled to attend the USA Softball JO Cup but chose not to attend after the death of an immediate family member of one of the players. Head coach Glenn Bennett will have to replace four grads who are now in the SEC and Big 12 but returns a pair of Texas Tech commits in 2017 C Kelcy Leach and 2018 MIF Yvonne Whaley. A young player who could be special this year is Clarissa Barron, a 2019 uncommitted middle infielder.
33	Scrap Yard Dawgs	The Scrap Yard Dawgs led by Connie May are starting to make some noise in the Lone Star State after finishing fifth at the USA Softball JO Cup in Atlanta and taking fifth at the TCS Colorado Super 48. The team has 10 returners back and nine 2017s committed, including P Ariana Adams (Texas) and MIF Tierrah Williams (Houston). Watch out for fast-rising 2018 outfielder C.J. Landrum, who committed to Georgia this summer, and her classmates Meagan and Morgan Smith, who play corner infield and catcher, respectively. A young talent who should make a big impact this year is newcomer Abby McKeown, an uncommitted 2019 pitcher.
32	Sorcerer Gold	After coach Pete Aguayo retired following PGF Nationals, several elite players left the Sorcerer organization for teams like All American Sports Academy and the OC Batbusters, but there's still enough talent for new coach Rene Sunga. Sorcerer finished an impressive seventh at PGF Nationals this summer and has some key players moving up from Mike Williams' 16U team or from outside the organization. Ones to watch include returnees 2018 P Danielle Williams (Missouri), 2017 MIF Savannah Jones (Georgetown) and new players Shea Moreno, a 2018 catcher committed to UCLA, and Riley Ehlen, a 2018 uncommitted corner infielder.
31	Firecrackers AZ-Hinkle	Jeff Hinkle's team had a strong summer, finishing second at the TCS Colorado Super 48 and 25th at PGF Nationals. Firecrackers AZ-Hinkle lose elite 2018 MIF Grace Lyons (Oklahoma), who will play for Tony Rico's Firecrackers team out of Southern California, but the Arizona-based team has more than enough talent coming back to be a threat in every tournament. A pair of seniors, OF Savanna Avilla and 3B Hayley Busby, will play next fall at Virginia, and 2018 OF/SS Haley Denning (Utah) will be one to watch along with talented MIF Isabella Loomis (Arizona State).