Few young pitchers carry themselves with the calm confidence of Paige Bettermann, an uncommitted 2027 standout for Tampa Mustangs – Rene.

The prospect from Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, Fla. is known for her exceptional spin, strong work ethic, and quiet leadership; additionally, Paige has built a reputation as a competitor who stays composed in every situation and leads by example.

Softball is a family tradition…. one that the Bettermanns are pretty darn good at.

Paige’s older sister, Lexi, played at Florida Tech and now serves as the General Manager at the USSSA Space Coast Complex, her mother previously served as the Florida USA JO Director and her younger sister, Josie, is already a nationally ranked freshman pitcher (rated No. 59 in the 2029 HOT 100 released in March).  

Surrounded by the game, Paige learned early what dedication and discipline look like.

That dedication shows every weekend. Ranked among the nation’s top 100 players since her 12U years, she has faced some of the country’s strongest lineups and consistently found ways to win.

At the high school level for her Sunshine State team, Paige has been part of a three-pitcher rotation and in her career has 117 strikeouts in 82 innings with a 1.79 ERA.

The junior is also tearing it up on the club circuit as well.

Recently at the Ray Seymour Invitational, Paige was named Co-Pitcher of the Tournament after throwing 10 innings with 17 strikeouts, allowing only one earned run and holding hitters to a .167 average.

Here are some of highlight clips of her in the circle:

Coaches praise her ability to move the ball, read hitters, and stay calm under pressure.

One of her biggest fans is her own club coach, Rene Ciccarello Jr., who has developed an impressive pattern of developing pitchers including Charley Butler (Auburn), Mackenzie Duncan (Penn State), Sophia Bertorelli (Boston College) and, more recently, Isabella Vega who was named to multiple Freshman All-American Teams this year at Central Florida.

What makes Paige such a formidable pitcher that he thinks she too can join the ranks of some of his impressive pitching alums?

“Paige is smart and very coachable,” her travel coach begins. “She has great command so when Paige understands how to pitch, versus just throwing, she has a lot of success against good-hitting teams.”

“Paige understands the ‘why’ of what we’re doing,” Coach Rene continues.

“She has had tremendous success from the reps she’s put in and her willingness to listen and learn. The kid grinds and she’s not afraid to fail. Paige is not one to make an excuse or blame an umpire; she responds to adversity very well as she looks at it from a learning standpoint.”

The club coach adds that his star hurler is equally and effectively balanced in the strike zone.

“Paige throws different levels of an up pitch,” he explains, “and has strong command on both sides of the plate and vertically with her riseball. Paige has a good curve and change-up as well. She is effective on all levels vertically and can work both sides of the side.”

“Paige came willing, open-minded and hungry to learn. She has trusted us, and we’ve been able to open her up to what her strengths are.”

Off the field, Paige matches her athletic drive with academic excellence.

She maintains a 4.7 GPA while taking a demanding schedule of honors and AP courses. A member of the National Honor Society and several student organizations, she plans to major in Finance or a related business field and eventually working in investment banking, with hopes of contributing to the sport as a graduate assistant coach one day.

For Paige, college softball is about finding a place that challenges her both academically and athletically.

“I want to be part of something I can help build,” she says. “A team where I can grow as a player, a student, and a person.”

This fall, she continues to test herself against top national competition, with upcoming events in Dalton, Ga. (Nov. 8–9) this weekend and Clearwater, Fla. the week after (Nov. 14–23).

The word is out where she’ll be and several college coaches have indicated they’ll be watching closely in person this month.

With her balanced mindset, strong academics, and maturity in the circle, Paige Bettermann is a name that quietly continues to rise among the 2027 class’s best in the circle.

And whoever brings her into their program is going to get one heck of a steal.  

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball