Sometimes, a single player can spark a whole team's turnaround. That's exactly what's happening at Rutgers Prep this season, where sophomore second baseman Sophia Soares has been named the MyCentralJersey.com Softball Player of the Week for Week 4 of the 2026 campaign.

After winning just three games last year, the Argonauts are sitting at 6-4 and eyeing their first winning season since 2019. Heading into Saturday's Somerset County Tournament second-round matchup, the team's resurgence has been fueled by Soares' breakout performance. In her first year as a starter, she went a blistering 6-for-8 last week, driving in four runs and scoring the winning run on a seventh-inning passed ball against Montgomery in a key division win. She also helped the team top Manville, another division victory.

So far this season, Soares is hitting an impressive .515 and leads the team in RBIs—a stat line that speaks to her composure and consistency at the plate.

“She’s made a huge impact on this team this year,” said Rutgers Prep head coach Carli Perruso. “She’s really stepped up as a teammate who brings a lot of energy. She’s been a player who is determined to be successful and gritty, and her love for the game is showing in her hitting.”

For young athletes, Soares' story is a reminder that hard work and a positive attitude can turn a program around. Whether you're stepping up to the plate or stepping up your gear game, it's all about finding that winning edge.