Drury softball announces 2025 signing class

Drury softball head coach Brooke Gajewski has announced the Panthers' 2025 signing class, which includes three junior college transfers and eight first-year freshmen.

Haley Bryant (OF, Shawnee, Kansas, Mill Valley High School, Johnson County Community College): Bryant transfers to Drury from Johnson County Community College. The outfielder was an All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference selection and earned NJCAA Region VI Second Team All-Region.

Jordan Meng (UTL, Kirksville, Missouri, Kirksville High School, John A. Logan College): Meng joins Drury from John A. Logan College. Before joining John A. Logan, Meng played her freshman season at the NCAA Division I level at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In Meng's one season for JALC, she hit .253 in 29 games.

Arissa Zajac (INF, Katy, Texas, Fulshear High School, Fort Smith Community College): Fort Smith Community College transfer Zajac will join the Panthers in the fall. In Zajac's final season for the Greyhounds, she had a .286 batting average in 77 at-bats. The infielder stole 15 bases over her two seasons at FSCC.

Emma Niemczyk (OF, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Oshkosh North High School): Oshkosh, Wisconsin native Emma Niemczyk will move south to Springfield. In Niemczyk's final season at Oshkosh North, she hit .523 with a .739 slugging percentage. Over her four years, she was a four-time all-conference, two-time all-district, and two-time all-state.

Jacey Byler (INF, Springfield, Missouri, New Covenant Academy): Springfield local Byler comes to Drury from New Covenant Academy. Byler has been honored as a two-time all-conference, all-district, and all-region infielder for the Warriors. Byler holds the New Covenant Academy career home run record.

Claire Nelson (C/INF, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, Assumption High School): Nelson moves to Springfield from Wisconsin Rapids and Assumption High School. At Assumption, Nelson was a four-time all-conference, two-time all-district, and one-time all-state selection. In her four seasons, Nelson hit .427 with an on-base percentage of .546.

Faith Roberts (P/OF, Fenton, Missouri, Rockwood Summit High School): Rockwood Summit graduate Roberts joins the Panthers. Roberts, a left-handed pitcher, also plays all three positions in the outfield. In the 2024 Fall season, Roberts was a first-team all-district selection.

Alivia Bartlow (OF, O'Fallon, Missouri, Liberty High School): Bartlow comes to Drury from O'Fallon, Missouri. Bartlow, a 2024 graduate of Liberty High School, attended St. Louis University last academic year as a student. In Bartlow's most recent softball season, Liberty went 22-14 with a Class 5 District 8 championship.

Brienne Chilton (P/1B, Nixa, Missouri, Nixa High School): Chilton will stay in southwest Missouri. The Nixa product is a right-handed pitcher who also plays first base. Chilton has been a two-time all-district and all-region honoree. She also earned all-conference honors in 2024.

Paris Weulander (C/INF, Shakopee, Minnesota, Shakopee High School): Paris Weulander comes to Drury from Shakopee, Minnesota. Weulander was an all-South Suburban honoree in her senior season. The catcher for the Sabers won 19 games over her final two years in high school.

Josi Olas (UTL, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Lee's Summit High School): Olas will start her first season at Drury from Lee's Summit High School. Olas and the Tigers posted 22 wins in her final two seasons of high school. In those two seasons, she earned all-conference honors for the Greater Kansas City Suburban Conference.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Drury softball 2025 signing class includes 3 transfers, 8 freshmen