Softball Supreme Talent

Her softball resume is impressive enough.

In the 2031 HOT 100 player rankings, Esther Young was recognized as a Top 40 prospect in her class… here’s how her bio read as published on January 20, 2026:

T-40—Esther Young, P/UT, Birmingham Thunderbolts 2031 – Tennyson
Esther’s stock continues to rise and she had a breakthrough 2025 which saw her surpass 100 strikeouts for the summer and then earn MVP Pitcher honors at the Summer World Series in Gulf Coast, Fla. A Sunshine State product herself, the 5-foot-10 pitcher first caught eyes two years ago when she went 4-0 at PGF with a 0.00 ERA and led her 10U team to the championships. This past fall, Esther won another title, this one at the USSSA Championship as she shined once again in the finale, tossing five innings with seven K’s versus just one walk to lead the Bolts to a 2-1 victory. The 2031 athlete can also plays the outfield and infield at a high level thanks to her strong arm. Head Coach Adam Tennyson often reminds Esther: “You are one of the best pitchers at your age these last two years in nation when you’re dialed in and focused. Keep working hard, trust the process, and go do you.”

As referenced in her bio above, Esther was a key player that led her then Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 10U team coach by Adam Tennyson to the prestigious PGF National Championship in 2024.

At PGF, the young pitcher was untouchable, going 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA and since then she has been equally impressive.

In 2025, she was named the MVP Pitcher at the 2025 Summer World Series in Gulf Coast, Fla. and later helped shut down an older Lady Stix 2030 team at the Fall World Series forcing a winner-take-all game.

A versatile athlete, Esther can also play the infield or outfield as needed but her future seems destined to be in the circle.

There’s so much to life that is promising about the young athlete; she’s 5-foot-10 and still growing as she attends Victory Christian Academy in Lakeland, Fla., where she has a 4.0 GPA (interestingly, the school doesn’t yet have a softball team).

There’s no doubt that Esther has a bright future on the softball field, but what makes the young athlete’s story even more compelling is when you discover what drives and inspires her off the field: her faith and spirituality.

Along with her exceptional softball skills, the teenager is also recognized for her strong Christian faith and you don’t have to look long and hard to see where that comes from.

Esther’s father, Brandon Young, is a pastor serving with Power Evangelism Ministries (PEM) based in Florida and, as he says:

“I have been faithfully serving Jesus for 23 years.”

The story of faith for Esther’s father provides a dynamic window that gives insight to why the 2031 grad herself is so vocal and strong about her own faith.

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Brandon Young’s Journey to Becoming a Pastor

Before joining the ministry, Esther’s father was quite the athlete himself.

Growing up he played baseball, basketball, football, and soccer and in high school he won a state championship in football and earned a baseball scholarship started as pitcher.

As he recalls:

“I was a shortstop and pitcher with schools like Georgia and Central Florida recruiting me, and my dream was to be drafted and play professional baseball.”

A major influence in Brandon’s life was his grandmother, who took him to her country church starting when he was four years old, and was a big fan of his baseball exploits.

Tragically, she was hit and killed in a car accident by someone under the influence just the day after Brandon got married.

“She died in my grandpa’s arms,” her remembers sadly, “but it was my grandma and my head pastor who have really impacted my life for Jesus and inspired me over the years to continue to follow Jesus.”

At 16 years old, everything changed for the talented athlete.

Here’s the story as he tells it:

“I attended a revival service with my family where my mentor, Head Pastor Apostle Ronald Ssali, prayed for me. That night, the Holy Spirit radically invaded my heart, and I was forever changed. From that moment on, I had an overwhelming desire to share Jesus with anyone and everyone.”

When it came time to pick a college for baseball, Brandon says he chose the Juco round so “I could play right away.”

“I informed UGA’s head coach at the time—Coach David Perno when he called my house—of my decision after being told a starting role could not be promised. I did not want to red-shirt at that time.”

While attending the junior college, he started a campus Bible study that grew into what were called Praise, Healing, and Deliverance (PHD) meetings.

“We also took offerings to support overseas mission work through Power Evangelism Ministries. Then before I transferred, God told me focus on my calling and support serve in PEM.”

Still, Brandon wasn’t quite done with his career on diamond.

“I later transferred to North Greenville University (NGU), a faith-based school, where I transitioned from shortstop to becoming a starting pitcher. During this time, my faith continued to grow.”

While playing in a wood bat league in New York, his teammates invited Brandon to a Bible study.

“That night,” he remembers, “several of them told me plainly: ‘Brandon, God is calling you to ministry.’”

“I knew God had a calling on my life. I was already serving when I could and, though I once envisioned playing professional baseball and ministering afterward like Tim Tebow was doing, the Lord made it clear it was time to fully surrender.”

“I laid down my dream of pro baseball and went all in for Jesus.”

Soon after, Brandon’s head pastor asked him to help serve in a church in Minnesota where he assisted with revival crusades, outreach events, and youth ministry.

In 2008, following a major revival breakout in Florida two years earlier, Brandon relocated to Minnesota to pastor where he served for over ten years, helping shepherd the church and coordinate ministry efforts.

Later, when his father was diagnosed with cancer while living in the South, Brandon, his wife Filene and their three kids, Esther, Elisha, Ezekiel, relocated to Florida to be closer to family and ministry in a warmer environment.

“My Dad was healed of cancer and, today, he loves Esther and his grandkids,” the grateful son continues. “He is an avid golfer who played in college and he loves to see Esther play softball!”

Today, Power Evangelism Ministries is thriving as he helps coordinate outreach events, prayer calls, hospital ministry, and missions through Mission Hope. 

“Our church leadership is based in the Palm Beach and Delray Beach areas,” he adds, “and we continue to see lives touched by the power of God. Next week, we are heading to Georgia for a two-night miracle outreach to bring hope and the Gospel.”

Through it all, God has given me the grace to serve faithfully.”

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Strong Faith from Youth to Now

The father of three first noticed in a very young Esther that her relationship with Jesus Christ was so important to her.

“Esther was dedicated to Jesus as a baby,” he begins, “and at just three months old, she traveled with us to revival crusades.”

“From an early age, she was immersed in worship, prayer, and the presence of God. She developed a deep love for worship music, began singing and playing piano, and participated in recitals and church ministry where she got the fire and passion.”

And it wasn’t long that the pre-teen was even sharing the Gospel of Christ with those around her.

“My head pastor did youth camps and Esther took one of her former teammates and friends with her and kids in the neighborhood to experience youth camp, have fun and catch the fire for Jesus!”

The proud father says he’s been so humbly appreciative of watching his teenage daughter grow in her faith.

“Esther has always been full of passion, energy, and a love for travel,” he says.

“Through youth camps and revival meetings, the fire of God was ignited in her heart and, today, she loves Jesus deeply and desires to use her athletic gifts and talents to spread Jesus’s love to the world, living out her faith both on and off the field.”

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“I Do Everything With God”

Esther’s faith drives her today as it did from her earliest days, serving as a compass to finding peace and joy in a world that can be overwhelming at times and which helps her, she says, navigate challenges more easily than if she were on her own.

“My walk with Jesus,” she explains, “provides a path to my feet and a light to my walk.”

It’s not just theoretical, either; it’s something that Esther applies to handle difficult times in her life.

She recalls a time when she struggled last year and when, she admits:

“I briefly felt I could handle everyone alone without trusting God but realized I couldn’t do anything without Him. I now do everything with God.”

Esther explains that she praises God in both victory and defeat and draws inspiration from the biblical story of Paul, who praised the Lord even while suffering in jail.

There used to be a time, not so long ago, that people in society – including athletes – were hesitant, even afraid, to talk about their faith and what their faith in God and Jesus Christ means to them personally.

That has changed dramatically as seen by the amazing year of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza who also helped the Hoosiers win the National Championship in an exciting win over the Miami Hurricanes on January 19, 2026.

Here, in an interview done immediately after Indiana defeated Oregon in the playoff semi-final on January 9, 2026 , the enthusiastic football player spoke with passion about his relationship with, and gratitude, to God:

“I couldn’t have done this without God,” Mendoza would say and that faith-based energy is equally shared by many of the greats in softball, too.

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The Testimonies of Others in Softball

Strong in her faith in Jesus, Esther has also been touched by those in the sport she loves so much who share her Christ-based testimonies.

The young softball standout says she looks up to and admires several Christian softball players, including Montana Fouts, Jenny Finch, Karlyn Pickins, and Jocelyn Alo, who are also vocal in sharing how their faith has blessed them in their lives.

Esther recalls a special experience she had at the opening ceremonies of the 2024 PGF Nationals in Southern California.

Fouts—one of the greatest pitchers in fastpitch softball history—was taking questions from athletes when Esther stood up and asked:

“Who do you put your faith in on and off the field?”

Fouts didn’t hesitate in declaring her love for Jesus Christ in front of thousands of softball players and coaches.

Here’s what she had to say:

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A Loving Note with A Hair Ribbon

Another powerful example:

Macie Dever (Boaz) is a standout catcher who ranked No. 11 in the 2026 HOT 100 released in October of 2025 and is committed to the University of Arkansas where her mother, Carrie Dever Boaz, was the first-ever coach for the Razorbacks, from 1997 to 2000.

Towards the end of 2024, the former Hogs head coach hosted a Zoom platform that Esther was a part of which included softball girls of all ages—from D1 commits down to 10U travel ball players.

The topics covered on many areas including grades, recruiting, recover and rest as well as faith and trusting in Jesus Christ.

When the subject of faith was brought up, Esther chimed in, asking thoughtful questions and sharing her own faith.

Macie was impressed that her fellow softball cohort was open about her faith and the two quickly established a close friendship.

Not long after, the older athlete told Esther:

 “I’m going to send you a ribbon. I make them and wear them and it says: ‘Don’t Lose the Lord (Jesus).’”

The future SEC backstop then followed up with a handwritten letter and the ribbon mailed to Esther.

Esther’s father remembers how impactful that was to his middle school-aged athlete.

“That meant more than words can say,” he begins, “in that it came from a older player who has been through a lot in her career. She has walked a mile in Esther’s shoes and sees Esther has what it takes, how she has Jesus in her life and, with that it, it’ll take you to places you never thought or can dream of!”

Since then, Carrie and her mother have stayed in touch with the Young family, building friendships and having faith-based conversations.

“They continue to encourage Esther,” Brandon Young adds, “reminding her that her future is bright, to trust God’s plan, and to trust His timing.”

The pastor marvels at how the two families became close through their combined love of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

“Softball is big, yet such a small world and this is proof of that,” Brandon continues. “But softball is not who we are–it’s a tool God gave us, a platform to use our abilities to share His love and point others to His Son, Jesus.”

“As Macie says—’Never lose the Lord.’”

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Faith in the Future

Testimonies and kind actions such as these have also helped build Esther’s own.

It also helps that her championship-winning Thunderbolts team continues to be proactive in incorporating prayer into their softball routines.

The team members and coaches pray for safety and performance before games and recite The Lord’s Prayer afterward, regardless of whether they win or lose.

While choosing a college to play for is a half-decade away for Esther, she’s already high on schools such as Oklahoma and Liberty where the coaching staffs led by Patty Gasso and Dot Richardson, respectively, are faith-based.

“She likes other schools and will be open to all,” the athlete’s father explains, “but those are two of her favorites right now.”

Off the field, the skilled student-athlete enjoys playing the piano and singing “in the presence of the Lord,” both at home and in public church meetings as well.

Whichever way Esther’s life on and off the field takes her, it’s clear that her love of Jesus Christ will accompany her wherever she goes.

Appropriately, she cites Isaiah 41:10 from the Old Testament as a guide and support as she faces what looks to be a very promising future:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball