BYU Softball announces 2026 signing class

The Cougars’ 2026 class features 10 signees from seven different states.

Author Cameron Muh
BYU Softball announces 2026 signing classBYU Softball announces 2026 signing class
Rebeca Fuentes/BYU Photo

PROVO, Utah — BYU softball head coach Gordon Eakin has announced the signing of 10 student-athletes to join the program for the 2027 season.

“We are excited to be signing this class as the next group of Cougars,” BYU assistant coach Allie Hancock-Schneemann said. “This class brings a good mix of power, speed and strong pitching to our lineup. They are all tough competitors who come from some of the top club teams in the country, such as Batbusters Stith, Athletics Mercado-Smith, Arizona Rising Appel, Iowa Premier and Warriors McDonald, etc. We have high expectations for this group and can’t wait to have them in a Cougar uniform.”

The Cougars’ 2026 recruiting class, ranked No. 50 in the nation by D1Softball, features 10 signees from seven different states and includes three outfielders, two right-handed pitchers, a pair of middle infielders, one first baseman, a catcher and utility player.

"I’m extremely excited about the signing of Kayden and Kyleigh, and how greatly they will add to our pitching staff," associate head coach Pete Meredith said. "Both will make a huge impact on day one."

"We are not only excited about the talent level of this class but they are also incredible young women," Eakin added. "They will be great representatives for BYU and Cougar softball as we strive to make a positive difference in the world." 

SFB Signed-Apodaca, Kayden

Kayden Apodaca
RHP | 5-8 | Athletics Mercado-Smith | Artesia HS | Artesia, NM

  • Three-time all-district first team (2022-23, 25)
  • Three-time district champion (2022-23, 25)
  • Three-time third at state (2022-23, 25)
  • Top arm (2023-25)
  • Top RBI (2023)
  • MVP, top bat (2025)
SFB Signed-Bradshaw, Danzee

Danzee Bradshaw
UTL | 5-9 | Southern Thunder | Beaver HS | Beaver, UT

  • Three-time first team all-state (2022-24)
  • Two-time Mid-Utah Silver Slugger of the Year (2023-24)
  • Two-time Utah state runner-up (2023-24)
  • Mid Utah silver slugger of the year (2024)
  • Team captain (2024)
  • Mid-Utah Softball Player of the Year (2023)
  • Utah stolen base leader (2023)
  • Led region 18 in batting average and on base percentage (2023)
  • Rookie of the year award (2023)
  • Also a three-time first team all-state honoree in basketball
SFB Signed-Chavez, Mckenna

McKenna Chavez
MI | 5-8 | USA Explosion Butler/Bybee | Capital HS | Boise, ID

  • Two-time all-state first team (2024-25)
  • Two-time all-conference first team (2024-25)
  • Fifth place at state (2025)
  • Team MVP (2025)
  • Team offensive MVP (2024)
  • Fourth place at state (2024)
  • All-conference second team (2023)
  • Team defensive MVP (2023)
  • Sixth place at state (2023)
  • Will complete high school with 16 varsity letters
  • Also a two-time all-conference honoree in basketball and volleyball and a state shot put champion
SFB Signed-Cowsill, Tessa

Tessa Cowsill
C | 5-8 | Batbusters-Stith | Aliso Niguel HS| Laguna Niguel, CA

  • Three-time Alliance Super Cup champion (2023-25)
  • Two-time Aliso Niguel High School Golden Glove award (2024-25)
  • First Team All-South Coast League (2025)
  • Two-time Second Team All-South Coast League (2023-24)
  • Alliance Super Cup MVP (2023)
  • Alliance champion (2023)
  • South Coast League champion (2023)
  • Aliso Niguel High School rookie of the year (2023)
SFB Signed-Kelley, Terrianna

Terrianna Kelley
1B/OF | 6-0 | Batbusters-Stith | Oaks Christian HS | Agoura Hills, CA

  • Alliance national champion (2023)
  • Three-time Marmonte Leage champion (2023-25)
  • CIF D1 Entered (2023-25)
  • Chosen for Stars of Tomorrow twice (2023-24)
  • On the dean’s list each year (2023-25)
SFB Signed-Mace, Kyleigh

Kyleigh Mace
RHP | 5-7 | Warrior Academy McDonald | Archbishop Mitty HS | Scotts Valley, CA

  • Three-time first team all-league (2022-24)
  • Two-time First Team All-Bay Area (2023-24)
  • WCAL Pitcher of the Year (2024)
  • First Team All-NorCal (2024)
  • PGF All-American regional finalist (2024)
  • Second Team All-NorCal (2023)
  • WCAL co-champion (2022)
SFB Signed-Norton, Karsyn

Karsyn Norton
MI | 5-4 | Arizona Rising Appel | Highland HS | Gilbert, AZ

  • PGF 18U Premier national champion (2025)
  • 6A second team all-conference (2025)
  • 6A first team all-region (2025)
  • Highland High defensive player of the year (2025)
  • Alliance Championship all-tournament (2024)
  • 6A first team all-conference and all-region (2024)
  • 6A region offensive player of the year (2024)
SFB Signed-Pilkinton, Hayden

Hayden Pilkinton
OF | 5-6 | Iowa Premier | Miami HS | Miami, OK

  • All-state and all-region middle infielder (2025)
  • Four-time region champion (2022-25)
  • Super regional champion (2024)
  • State semifinalist (2022)
  • Defensive player of the year (2024-25)
  • Offensive player of the year (2022-23)
  • State track qualifier (4x100, 4x200, 4x400)
  • Also played three years of high school basketball
SFB Signed-Shamrell, Eliza

Eliza Shamrell
OF | 6-0 | Birmingham Thunderbolts | Pleasant Valley HS | Bettendorf, IA

  • No. 74 on Top 100 for Class of 2026
  • OnDeck four-star recruit
  • Third place at PGF (2025)
  • PGF All-American watch list
  • Three years of varsity track
  • Second place at state track (2025)
  • Competed at state in track and field hurdles
  • All-state band on bass clarinet (2025)
  • Coaches at a local softball facility
SFB Signed-Sivas, Loto

Lotololei Sivas
OF | 5-9 | Athletics Mercado-Smith | Eleanor Roosevelt HS | Eastvale, CA

  • All-league first team (2024)
  • Varsity team MVP (2024)
  • Offensive player of the year (2024)
  • Mustang award (2023)
  • All-league second team (2023)
  • JV MVP (2022)
  • Also competed in flag football, being named 2024 Inland Empire and MaxPreps Player of the Year