UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State softball and head coach Clarisa Crowell announced an addition to the program’s 2027 roster on Wednesday afternoon, with the Blue & White set to welcome NJCAA DI College World Series catcher and Santa Fe College alumnus Sydney English to Happy Valley.
SYDNEY ENGLISH | C | CALLAHAN, FLA. | WEST NASSAU / SANTA FE COLLEGE
A native of Callahan, Florida, English joins the Nittany Lions following a standout two-year career at Santa Fe College, where she developed into one of the top offensive performers in the program. After making an immediate impact as a freshman in 2025, English elevated her game even further during the 2026 campaign, batting .378 with 71 hits, 48 RBI, 16 doubles and seven home runs while compiling a .491 on-base percentage and .574 slugging percentage. Her contributions to the team were essential to propelling the Saints to an appearance in the 2026 NJCAA DI College World Series. In recognition of her efforts, English was named an All-Citrus Conference North First Team member as well as a Second Team All-FCSAA selection. Across her two collegiate seasons, the left-handed hitter produced a .346 career batting average with 84 hits, 58 RBI, 19 doubles and eight home runs, reaching base at a .469 clip.
While at Penn State, English plans to pursue a degree in organizational leadership through the College of Liberal Arts. Prior to beginning her collegiate career, she attended West Nassau High School in her hometown, where she earned Athlete of the Year honors in 2024 while collecting four First Team All-First Coast selections, four All-Nassau County honors, a pair of Florida All-State accolades and serving as a three-year team captain. A multi-sport athlete, English also lettered in volleyball and girls weightlifting while participating in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She competed in travel softball with Santa Fe Inferno under coach Jason Nowling from 2021 through 2024, helping her club to a JO Cup runner-up finish and a third-place showing at TSCP Nationals.
FOLLOW SYDNEY ON SOCIAL
Instagram | @sydney3nglish
X | @sydenglish1
WHY SYDNEY CHOSE PENN STATE
“Choosing Penn State was an easy decision because it offers everything I was looking for, both on and off the field. The coaching staff, facilities, and competitive softball program made me feel confident that it was the right place for me. This is the opportunity I dreamed of earning after coming from the junior college level, and I’m incredibly grateful that the coaches believer in me. I couldn’t be more excited to represent Penn State and compete for this team on and off the field.”
COACH CROWELL ON ENGLISH
"We are thrilled to welcome Sydney to our Penn State softball family. She is a left-handed hitter who will add power to our offense and depth to our catching staff. Sydney brings valuable championship experience after helping guide Santa Fe College to the NJCAA DI College World Series, where she competed on one of the nation's top Junior College teams. We are excited about the impact she’ll have both on the field and within our culture, and we can’t wait to see her in the Blue & White this year."
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Visit GoPSUSports.com for more information on Penn State softball. Fans can keep up to date with the Nittany Lion softball team on Facebook at /pennstatesoftball as well as Twitter and Instagram @PennStateSB.