UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – One of Penn State softball’s most highly-anticipated freshman classes in recent memory garnered national acclaim, as rookie pitcher Abigail Britton, catcher Macy Chamberlin and outfielder Natalie Lieto were named to the D1Softball D100 Freshman Watch List in the organization’s release Wednesday morning.
The trio of first-year Nittany Lions arrives in Happy Valley after garnering the No. 24 ranking as a signing class according to Extra Inning Softball following last year’s National Signing Day festivities, Penn State’s highest rated signing corps under the direction of fifth-year head coach Clarisa Crowell. PSU’s group of freshman stars are expected to make an immediate impact in University Park, following a combined six state championships and a wide array of statewide and national postseason accolades.
A native of LaVale, Maryland, Britton arrives in Happy Valley following one of the most dominant careers the state has ever seen. The rookie right-hander picked up the state’s loftiest softball accolade, the Gatorade Player of the Year Award, while leading Allegany High School to a pair of Maryland Class 1A state titles in 2022 and 2024. Britton was recognized as both an Area and Region Player of the Year in every season from her sophomore to senior campaigns, propelling Allegany to the top of the ladder in Maryland softball in the process. She participated in travel ball with Virginia Glory from 2017 through the end of her youth career, serving as the club’s captain in 2023 and 2024 in addition to participating as a final selection for USA Softball’s High-Performance Program. She begins her career in the Blue & White after securing the No. 24 overall pitcher ranking in her signing class last year.
Chamberlin joins the Blue & White ahead of the 2025 season after an individually lauded career at Evergreen High School in Ohio. A native of Wauseon, Ohio, Chamberlin begins her career in Happy Valley as a reigning NFCA Third Team High School All-American, additionally picking up the 2024 Johnny Bench Award as the best catcher in the state of Ohio. Chamberlin amassed school records in runs scored, walks, RBI, home runs, triples, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, and additionally owns the Ohio State record in career home runs with 61. She participated in national travel ball schedules with the Turnin2 program and closed her club career as a member of the Alliance Fastpitch All-Star and Tournament Teams as well as the 18U Tier 2 Team. Chamberlin stands as one of the highest-ranked recruits Penn State has signed in recent memory, garnering the No. 22 ranking in the 2024 signing class paired with a No. 15 standing among 2024 catcher signees.
A four-time state champion and one of the most dominant individual performers in high school softball across the American northeast, Lieto heads to University Park boasting the No. 34 ranking in the nation as a prospect and standing as the top-ranked recruit representing her home state of Connecticut. She garnered a laundry list of critical acclaim over her four years at Masuk High School, securing First Team All-Conference, Class L All-State and GameTimeCT All-State accolades in each of her four varsity seasons, directing her high school to a trio of conference titles in the process. She spent time on the travel ball circuit as a member of the Rhode Island Thunder 18U National Travel Team, serving as a team captain in each of her final three years with the organization while landing PGF Regional All-America and Triple Crown Future Stars All-Star status during her club career. Lieto was also named a PGF High School All-American and secured a pair of Regional PGF All-America honors as well.
Highlighted by the program’s trio of outstanding rookie prospects, Penn State will open its 60th anniversary season in less than one month, as the Blue & White travel to Clearwater, Florida, and the Eddie C. Moore Complex to take part in the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic. PSU will battle against the defending Women’s College World Series participant Duke Blue Devils on opening night, a 5 p.m. (ET) contest slated for Friday, February 7. The Nittany Lions will conclude the weekend with games against Mississippi State, Missouri, Kennesaw State and Notre Dame. All games will stream live via the Gamechanger app, with the complete 2025 Penn State softball schedule available on the team’s webpage.
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