By all accounts, Payton Breadmore isn’t the loudest voice in the room. But give her the ball, and she’ll let her pitches do the talking—loud and clear.

The 5-foot-9 right-hander from Bishop Verot in Cape Coral, Fla. has quietly carved out a reputation as one of the most precise and cerebral arms in the 2026 class.

She doesn’t blow you away with radar gun theatrics, though her 60-to-65 mph velocity is nothing to sneeze at, but her ability to live on the corners and change speeds sets her apart.

With a 1.69 ERA, .216 opponent batting average, and 58 strikeouts over 49 fall innings in ’24 for the Birmingham Thunderbolts Gatewood/Breadmore 25/26 squad, hitters around the Southeast know her.

What separates Payton isn’t just what she does between the lines, however, it’s the full package.

A 4.5 GPA student, she’s a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and a fixture on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

She’s not just managing academics and athletics—she’s thriving in both.

“I love math,” the incoming senior says.

“There’s only one right answer, and I like being able to work things out logically.”

It tracks: her approach in the circle mirrors her favorite subject: calculated, clear, and efficient. For now, the Florida right-hander is a bit of a under the radar kid, with good upside and an excellent student, but don’t expect that to last long.

The numbers are in her favor.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

Here’s where to find Payton the rest of the summer and our interview with the standout pitcher!

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Name: PAYTON BREADMORE
Hometown: Cape Coral, Fla.
School: Bishop Verot High
Club Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts – Gatewood/Breadmore 25/26
Graduation Year: 2026
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: RHP
Social Media: @PaytonBreadmore (Twitter), softball.payton14 (Instagram)
GPA: 4.5
Honors: National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), Honor Roll principals list, Athlete of the Week, nominee for mid-season pitcher of the year.

Line Drive Softball: Let’s get right to it, what kind of pitcher is Payton Breadmore?
Payton Breadmore I’d say I’m someone who really focuses on hitting my spots. My curve and drop are my go-to pitches, and my change-up keeps hitters off balance. I’m usually around 60-65 mph, and I like to rely on movement and location more than just throwing hard.

I had a great lesson today with @Coach_Aly_Bz! back at it again on tuesday for the regional semi final game against Academy of the Holy Names! @CoachJordanSB @newmz4 @Coach_Alameda @RadkeCortney pic.twitter.com/dltDUNYhCy

— Payton Breadmore UNCOMMITED C/O 2026 (@PaytonBreadmore) May 12, 2024

LD: What’s your mindset when you’re in the circle?
PB: I feed off my teammates. When they’re behind me cheering me on, that gets me locked in. And honestly? I just want to be better than the hitter in that moment. That’s my motivation.

LD: How did you get started in softball?
PB: It runs in the family. My dad played baseball at Chowan University, and my mom played softball and volleyball there, too. My sister also played softball all through high school so I grew up around it.

LD: You’ve got a 4.5 GPA and you’re involved in National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. How do you balance everything?
PB: Time management is huge. I care about school just as much as softball. I want to study pre-med or biomedical sciences and become a physician’s assistant someday.

LD: What are you looking for in a college and softball program?
PB: A place that has my major, first off. But I also want a school that feels like home, where the coaches and teammates really support each other.

LD: Your g-to hype song?
PB: Run This Town by Jay-Z and Rihanna. I play it before every game.

LD: So what’s so great about Math that it’s your favorite subject in school?
PB: There’s always one answer, and I like working through the problem and figuring it out.

LD: Who’s your sports hero?
PB: Megan King from FSU. Watching her pitch made me want to do this. I looked up to her so much growing up.

LD: Favorite binge-worthy show?
PB: It’s a tie, Pretty Little Liars or Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve watched both way too many times!

LD: And just to settle it… you’re a (Taylor) Swifty?
PB: YESSS!!! I went to the Eras Tour in Miami, Night 2. Best night ever.