UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball program and fifth-year head coach Clarisa Crowell announced the addition of three transfer student-athletes to the team’s roster ahead of the 2024-25 academic year. Rising sophomore infielder Jordan George from Pittsburgh, incoming fifth-year infielder Meagan Ricks from Florida Gulf Coast and sophomore infielder Kaylie Walters from Saint Francis will join PSU ahead of the 2025 season.
“I am thrilled to announce the addition of Jordan, Meagan and Kaylie to our team, and we are very excited for their arrival to campus this fall,” Crowell said. “Their experience and success at the Division I level will be a great benefit to our team, and I know that they will be significant contributors. Comprehensive excellence is the cornerstone of our program, and I believe that our three newcomers will thrive in the community, in the classroom and on the field. Please help me to welcome Jordan, Meagan and Kaylie to our Penn State Family.”
JORDAN GEORGE | SO | INF | NEW ALBANY, OHIO | NEW ALBANY / PITTSBURGH
George, a native of New Albany, Ohio, arrives in Happy Valley after a productive inaugural campaign at in-state rival Pittsburgh. She contributed a .333 batting average highlighted by a pair of home runs and two additional doubles. Her 1.026 first-year OPS led the Panther roster last season, and she paired that effort with a trio of RBI. In her only season with the Panthers, George picked up distinction as a member of the All-ACC Academic Team, garnering recognition for her stellar work in the classroom throughout her freshman season. George played high school softball at New Albany High School, picking up a pair of All-Ohio honors in addition to breaking single-season school records in home runs, runs scored and batting average.
“From the moment I stepped on the Penn State campus, it immediately felt like home,” George expressed. “The campus is gorgeous, the academic rigor is top-notch, the traditions are rich and the athletics are second to none. I am thankful to Coach C and her staff for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a healthy, winning culture where I can contribute to something bigger than myself. Most of all, I am grateful to be supported and encouraged to grow into the best version of myself. Nothing could be better.”
MEAGAN RICKS | 5Y | INF | WINTER HAVEN, FLA. | WINTER HAVEN / FGCU
Ricks, hailing from Winter Haven, Florida, joins the Nittany Lions following a successful four-year career at Florida Gulf Coast University which included 127 career appearances and 112 starts. Overall, Ricks registered 74 total hits while amassing 49 career runs scored. She worked for 22 combined extra-base hits at FGCU split between 10 doubles, six triples and six home runs. Speed was the name of the game during her time in Fort Myers, assembling 32 career stolen bases highlighted by back-to-back double-digit steal campaigns in 2023 and 2024. The rising fifth year collected a wide array of accolades with the Eagles, highlighted by First Team All-Conference honors after a breakout 2023 campaign. During her stint with the Eagles, Ricks was a key contributor in the program’s 2024 Atlantic Sun Tournament championship and NCAA Gainesville Regional appearance. As a high schooler, Ricks played at Winter Haven High School and was named a MaxPreps All-American in 2017-18, adding First Team All-County honors the following year.
“I chose to continue my softball career at Penn State because it was a great opportunity,” Ricks stated. “I wanted to be a part of the strong traditions that Penn State has to offer. The coaches were extremely welcoming and seemed truly excited to have me come in and join this amazing program. This staff is very dedicated to growing student-athletes in multiple ways, on the field and in the classroom. I am truly excited to get started here in Happy Valley.”
KAYLIE WALTERS | SO | INF | PHILADELPHIA, PA. | COUNCIL ROCK / SAINT FRANCIS
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Walters arrives at Penn State following a dominant rookie season at in-state rival and fellow NCAA Tournament participant Saint Francis. The rising sophomore contributed heavily to Saint Francis’ NEC Regular Season and Tournament Championship runs, starting and playing in all 55 games for the Red Flash, predominately in the middle infield. Walters contributed 42 hits, 41 runs scored, an eye-popping 45 walks and a dominant 29-steal season on the basepath. Walters astounding .473 on-base percentage ranked inside the top 100 nationally in addition to ranking second in the conference. In her single season in Loretto, Walters garnered First Team All-Northeast Conference honors, NEC All-Rookie distinction, two NEC Rookie of the Week honors and a pair of appearances as an NEC Prime Performer. In high school, Walters played for Council Rock South and contributed a pair of Team MVP seasons in addition to a 2023 campaign that saw her named First Team All-League Suburban One Shortstop.
“The winning culture and competitiveness were the first things that drew me to Penn State, and that’s why I chose to continue my career in Happy Valley,” Walters said. “I love the expectations and standards that the team holds for one another. It instantly felt like home when I met the coaches and came to campus for my visit. I absolutely love the family atmosphere that the team and coaches have helped to create, and I am very excited to be a part of it.”
ABOUT PENN STATE SOFTBALL
George, Ricks and Walters join a surging Nittany Lion program fresh off one of the most productive seasons in school history. The Blue & White return 15 student-athletes from a 2024 roster that recorded the first NCAA Regional bid by a Penn State squad since 2011, culminating in a 35-20 overall record. PSU returns a pair of key stars from last year’s roster, including two-time Freshman All-American, NFCA National Freshman of the Year Finalist, Big Ten Freshman of the Year and First Team All-B1G selection Bridget Nemeth, as well as Second Team All-B1G choice Maddie Gordon. PSU’s trio of transfers will help bolster a strong infield group that includes returners Gianna Poletti and Jiselle Hernandez, who both garnered starting experience in their freshman seasons.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
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