1 Incoming Freshman to Know for Every Big Ten Team

The travel circuit is over, and the 2025 signees are making their way to college if they haven’t already. As the fall quickly approaches, we wanted to spotlight an incoming freshman for every Big Ten softball team to know before they officially join the 2026 roster.

1 Incoming Freshman to Know for Every SEC Team
1 Incoming Freshman to Know for Every Big 12 Team
1 Incoming Freshman to Know for Every ACC Team

Illinois – Brooke Stang, OF

Illinois graduated long-time starter Stevie Meade, who started 200-plus games in the outfield the past four seasons. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Stang take her place. The Beverly Bandit product has great bat control and takes charge in the outfield; she could quickly put herself at the top of the lineup.

Indiana – Aubree Hooks, P/UTL

There is no replacing what Bri Copeland has done for Indiana over the years. However, Hooks, who makes her way from Alabama, has a chance to make an impact on both sides in her first season with the Hoosiers. There are plenty of innings available from last season after 200-plus innings departed the roster.

Iowa – Phoenyx Silva, INF

The Hawkeyes will have a new-look infield under first-year head coach Stacy May-Johnson. Silva has a good chance to earn playing time from the start. The former RI Thunder star is a reliable defender and has a ton of pop at the plate.

Maryland – Elisea Wiegand, P/INF

After his past season, the Terps needed help in the power department at the place and in the circle. And Wiegand can help out in both. Head coach Lauren Kern expects the Lady Magic Walling two-way to play from the start of her career. She is coming of EAL MVP honors after leading Foothill High to a CIF Northern Section Division II title in California.

Michigan – Siena Snyder, INF

Head coach Bonnie Tholl praised Snyder on National Signing Day for being already college-ready, both physically and mentally. The former Firecrackers Wallace infielder should be given a shot at shortstop come 2026, a position the Wolverines didn’t get a ton of offensive production from in 2025.

Michigan State -Zoie Bernard, OF

Bernard will immediately add speed to a team that didn’t steal many bases this past season. The outfielder, who has spent time in the Athletics Gold and Atlanta Vipers, is a true triple threat with power to match her speed. She’ll have to compete for an outfield spot right away.

Minnesota – Keali Cochran, C/UTL

Whether it’s at catcher or third base, filling in for the graduated Taylor Krapf or Kayla Chavez, Cochran’s big bat should find a way into the Gophers lineup. The California native has a very consistent presence for her age.

Nebraska – Alexis Jensen, P/UTL

The Cornhuskers welcome another talented in-state two-way player from the Nebraska Gold system. Jensen might be one of the most influential freshmen in the 2026 season. Nebraska lacked consistency in the circle behind this past season, but the fiery lefty can change that and have an impact at the plate.

Northwestern – Marina Mason, P

The Wildcats welcome four-star infielder Tru Medina, but Mason will have every chance to take a chunk of innings. Northwestern doesn’t have a clear ‘ace’ heading into 2026, meaning one could certainly emerge. Mason has a good swing-and-miss stuff, setting her record at Brentwood High School’s single-game strikeout record with 24.

Ohio State – Reese Cullen, C

After the departure of Jazzy Burns, the Buckeyes will be looking for a new starting catcher for 2026. Cullen has the talent to do so. Cullen has a good amount She’s caught a lot of top-tier pitchers during her time with Illinois Chill Gold.

Oregon – Taryn Ho, MIF

The Ducks had one of the best freshman classes from this past season, but they have another talented trio heading to Eugene in 2026. For the first time in many years, who plays shortstop for Oregon is a question mark. Although Ho has already drawn comparisons to Paige Sinicki, and has the speed and power to fit the offense in the Pacific Northwest.

Penn State – Allison Oneacre, CIF

The 2023 signing class gave Penn State a pair of stars in Brooke Klosowicz and Bridget Nemeth. Can the 2025 do the same? Allison Oneacre seems to have a chance to make that quick leap to stardom. The Athletics Gold Tamborra product offers a ton of power at the plate. With Maddie Gordon and Meagan Ricks having graduated, both corner spots in the infield are open for the taking.

Purdue – Kendyl Rainey, OF

If you thought the Purdue outfield couldn’t get any faster, you thought wrong. Rainey, who comes from the D1Vision 18U National team, fits right in with Moriah Polar and Khloe Banks if she is able to earn at-bats as a freshman. Her speed is a difference-maker and could be valuable in 2026.

Rutgers – Etta Garofalo, CIF

Rutgers will once again be a young squad with only five players being upperclassmen on the roster. The Scarlet Knights only had one player with more than three home runs last season. Garofalo has the power to change that with her strong left-handed bat.

UCLA – Natalie Cable, P/UTL

The Bruins have two talented position players coming in, but Cable will likely have the biggest impact of the freshman class because she has too. After the departures of Kaitlyn Terry and Addisen Fisher this offseason, UCLA’s pitching staff thinned out quickly. Cable will carry a heavy load of innings behind Taylor Tinsley.

Washington – Melody Acevedo, MIF

Four different players started at shortstop last season for the Huskies. Melody Acevedo could stabilize that spot for Heather Tarr. She comes from the Firecrackers organization, which developed some of our former Huskies, Sis Bates and Taylor Van Zee. Avevedo has a good chance to add power production in Seattle as well.

Wisconsin – Kylee Molitor, MIF

The Badgers had a freshman gem in Kendra Lewis this past season. Kylee Molitor might be the next one. A true shortstop could step into that spot right away. Molitor, the Wisconsin native, is a triple threat and a proven defender with the Iowa Premier organization.