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Softball Signs Seven on National Signing DaySoftball Signs Seven on National Signing Day

Softball Signs Seven on National Signing Day

The group is set to join the Nittany Lions in the fall of 2027

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head coach Clarisa Crowell and the Penn State softball program announced the addition of seven new Nittany Lions on National Signing Day on Wednesday. Featuring nationally recognized talent, championship experience and a strong collection of individual accolades, the class of 2027 adds depth and versatility across the field. The group will arrive in Happy Valley in the fall of 2027. 

“We are thrilled to officially welcome our 2027 signing class to our Penn State Softball family! This is an outstanding group of young women who bring a tremendous combination of athleticism, talent and versatility to our program,” Crowell said. “Beyond their playing abilities, this group will be a great fit culturally because they embody the values and standards that we strive for as a program, and we believe they will make an immediate and lasting impact on Penn State Softball. We are very excited about this special group, and we cannot wait to welcome them to Happy Valley and watch them proudly represent the Blue & White!” 

Penn State’s 2027 class earned a No. 35 national ranking by D1Softball, placing inside the top tier among Big Ten recruiting classes. 

The group features two Gatorade Players of the Year with pitcher Julia Caruso representing New Hampshire and infielder Addison Sabers earning the honor in the state of Kansas. Three members of the class have represented the United States as High Performance Program (HPP) invitees: Whitney Davis, Ryleigh Dooley and Grace Lombardi. The USA Softball HPP is known as “The Pipeline to the Women’s National Team” to help develop future American softball stars develop their games to perform at the highest level. 

Two prospects hail from Pennsylvania with outfielder Addie Louderback and pitcher Maddy Vogan choosing to stay home in the Keystone State. Davis (Ohio), Dooley (Virginia) and Lombardi (New Jersey) join Caruso and Sabers as the lone signees from their respective states. 

JULIA CARUSO

JULIA CARUSO

P | Hampstead, N.H. | Pinkerton Academy 

Caruso joins the Penn State softball program as the reigning New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year in 2026. The right-handed pitcher has been dominant at Pinkerton Academy. In her junior year, Caruso struck out 165 batters in 85 innings en route to her Gatorade Player of the Year honor. She also set a school record in career strikeouts (351) with a senior season still to come. The Hampstead, New Hampshire native was named a Division 1 First Team All-State selection last season. Caruso plays travel softball with the Rhode Island Thunder Gold under the direction of Dave Lotti and has been a member of the program since 2023. Caruso’s mother, Heidi, is a 2002 alum of the Penn State field hockey program while her father, Jordan, is a former Penn State football letterman and graduated in 2001. While at Pinkerton Academy, Caruso was named her class president and has played three seasons of varsity basketball. She plans to major in biobehavioral health at Penn State with a minor in neurology. Upon graduation, Caruso plans to pursue a career as a physician assistant in neurology.  

Why Julia Chose Penn State 

“I grew up bleeding Blue & White. Penn State holds a special place in my heart, but it was not until I met the coaches and team that I truly realized it was where I belonged. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt at home, and I loved how the team balanced hard work and competition with a fun atmosphere. Beyond the opportunity to compete at the highest level, Penn State offers the chance to challenge myself academically, grow as a person and become part of something bigger than myself.”  

Coach Crowell on Caruso 

“We are thrilled to welcome Julia to our Penn State Softball family! Julia is a power pitcher with tremendous upside, and we believe her best softball is still ahead of her. Beyond her athletic ability, Julia is a natural leader who is highly involved in her school and community. She is someone who will make a positive impact on our team culture and she will be a great teammate. With both of her parents having competed as student-athletes here at Penn State, we are especially excited for Julia to continue her family's legacy in Happy Valley!”

Follow Julia

Instagram: juliacaruso_74 | X: JuliaCaruso2027 | TikTok: julia.caruso

WHITNEY DAVIS

WHITNEY DAVIS

UTIL | Montville, Ohio | Berkshire High School 

Davis is one of the most decorated prospects out of the state of Ohio and the lone signee from the state for the Nittany Lions. Davis will add an element of speed to the Nittany Lion lineup and bring an added threat on the basepaths. While at Berkshire High School, Davis set six school records and earned numerous accolades. Her honors include the Female Breakthrough Athlete of the Year her freshman year and Female Athlete of the Year her sophomore and junior years. She was the Chagrin Valley Conference Most Valuable Player and was a First Team All-State selection a season ago. She was named All-Northeast Ohio her freshman, sophomore and junior years as well. She plays travel ball for the 18U Unity National team under coach Juan Torres and was previously with the Ohio Outlaws and coach Warren Wolff. Davis was named to the Scenic City All Star Team. The Montville, Ohio native has been a USA HPP National Event invitee for three years and was a Top Performer in 2025. Davis has lettered in volleyball and basketball in high school as well. While at Penn State, she plans to major in journalism and become a color commentator following her playing days. 

Why Whitney Chose Penn State 

“I knew in my heart when I stepped on campus that Happy Valley was the place for me. The amazing coaches, welcoming players and the family atmosphere made me know this was where I wanted to be. Penn State is so much more than a school or softball program; it’s a family. The values of family, blue collar and tough are what make it so special. I know Penn State will challenge me, help me grow and shape me into the person I want to become. I’m so excited for the opportunity to grow as a player and a person, chase my dreams and be part of something bigger than myself.” 

Coach Crowell on Davis 

“We are excited to welcome Whitney to Happy Valley! Whitney is a versatile athlete who will bring tremendous speed, athleticism, and positivity to our program. As a left-handed slapper with the ability to play both first base and the outfield, she will provide a dynamic presence in our lineup. A multi-sport athlete, Whitney plays the game with passion and enthusiasm, and we love the energy she brings to the field. Most importantly, she will be a great teammate, and we look forward to her joining our Penn State Softball family!” 

Follow Whitney

Instagram: whitney.davis27 | X: WhitneyDavis_sb | TikTok: dangerdavis.7

RYLEIGH DOOLEY

RYLEIGH DOOLEY

C | Leesburg, Va. | Heritage High School 

Dooley hails from Leesburg, Virginia, where she excelled both on the field and in the classroom as an honor roll student at Heritage High School. A standout member of the Heritage Pride varsity squad, the power hitter has earned district, region, and state honors, including a First Team All-State selection in 2026. Dooley previously played travel ball for the Virginia Glory under Suzy Willemssen and is now a member of the Rhode Island Thunder Gold, coached by Dave Lotti, alongside Caruso, Lombardi and Vogan in the 2027 class. In her 2026 season with the Glory, Dooley won the Alliance Fastpitch Championship, which is one of the top competitions in travel softball that plays a key role in developing student-athletes to compete at the collegiate level. An invitee to the USA HPP in both 2024 and 2025, Dooley was named a Top 18 USA Performer in the 15U division in 2024. At Penn State, Dooley plans to major in business and pursue a career as a collegiate softball coach.  

Why Ryleigh Chose Penn State 

“I chose Penn State because of the great environment the coaches and players provide. Going to camps was, and still is, one of my favorite things to do since it is always so much fun, and we always learn something new to take back with us. The coaching staff means everything to me as they care about not just the athlete, but the person too. I also chose it because I knew I wanted to be able to compete with other amazing athletes, so I knew this was the right place!”

Coach Crowell on Dooley 

“Ryleigh is another exciting addition to our 2027 class, and we are looking forward to her joining our program next fall! Ryleigh is a powerful hitter who will bring a strong offensive presence to our lineup. Defensively, she brings a strong arm and a calm, steady presence behind the plate. Ryleigh is a dedicated athlete who takes pride in her development and is committed to getting better every day. We believe that Ryleigh will be a great fit for our program, and we look forward to watching her grow in Happy Valley!” 

Follow Ryleigh

Instagram: ryleighdooleyy | X: RyDooley2027

GRACE LOMBARDI

GRACE LOMBARDI

INF | Ocean, N.J. | Red Bank Catholic High School 

Lombardi joins the Penn State softball program by way of Red Bank Catholic High School. Her mother, Tracey, played for the Penn State softball program from 1998-2001. Lombardi is an athletic, high-level defender, who will also bring a left-handed bat to the Nittany Lion lineup. She is consistently ranked as one of the top middle infielders in the state of New Jersey. Lombardi has been a Shore Conference Champion, First Team All-Shore selection, A North Division Co-Champion and a Red Bank Catholic Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. She was ranked as the No. 37 player in the country by Line Drive Nation. The Ocean, New Jersey native plays travel for the Rhode Island Thunder Gold under Dave Lotti. Before that, she played for Joe Garvey and the Newtown Rock squad. Lombardi has also been a USA HPP National Event Top Performer. She is an honor roll student and was one of three female athletes to represent Red Bank Catholic at the Shore Conference Women in Sports Day event, an honor recognizing her leadership potential. Lombardi plans to major in business and play softball professionally. After her playing career, she plans to pursue a career in interior design or real estate. 

Why Grace Chose Penn State 

“I chose Penn State because, from the first time I stepped on campus, there was something about it that felt different. I immediately loved the atmosphere, the campus and how welcoming everyone was. I knew I wanted to attend a school where I could grow both on and off the field, and Penn State gives me the opportunity to do that. Softball has always been such a huge part of my life, so being able to continue playing at a school with such an amazing softball program is something I am incredibly grateful for. I love everything Penn State has to offer academically, as well as all the opportunities I will have to meet new people and make memories. I am so excited to continue my academic and athletic career in Happy Valley and officially become a Nittany Lion!” 

Coach Crowell on Lombardi 

“We are thrilled to add Grace to our 2027 class, and we welcome her to Happy Valley! Grace is a high-level defender who brings tremendous athleticism and skill to the shortstop position. Offensively, she is a left-handed hitter who combines power and speed, giving her the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Grace plays with confidence and swagger, and we love the energy she brings to the field. With her mom being a Penn State Softball alum, we are especially excited to see Grace carry on her family's legacy with our program!”

Follow Grace

Instagram: _gracelombardi_ | X: GLombardi2027

ADDISON LOUDERBACK

ADDISON LOUDERBACK

OF | Langhorne, Pa. | Notre Dame High School (New Jersey) 

One of two signees from the Keystone State, Louderback joins Penn State as a talented outfielder. Defensively, she will add range and athleticism to the outfield while providing a left-handed presence in the batter's box. Louderback attends Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey where she has racked up multiple accolades, including First Team All-County in 2026 following a Second Team selection in 2025. The honor roll student was chosen to represent her high school at the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Sportsmanship Summit. Louderback has been a longstanding member of the New Jersey Pride under the direction of coach Rob Stern. The Langhorne, Pennsylvania native comes from a family of Penn Staters and will add to that legacy next year when she begins her journey in Happy Valley. Her older brother, Carter, will be a class of 2027 graduate in the spring. She also has an aunt and uncle who are graduates of Penn State. While at Happy Valley, she plans to major in nutrition and would like to turn her degree into a career as a sports nutritionist. 

Why Addison Chose Penn State 

“I chose Penn State because I love the commitment to excellence shared by everyone in the program! The environment is unmatched and the resources are so advanced. I know I will become the best version of myself at this school! The team has such a positive culture, and I love how everyone plays for each other. Penn State truly feels like a second home and I know this is exactly where I want to be entering this next chapter of my life! We Are!”  

Coach Crowell on Louderback 

“There is something special about keeping Pennsylvania talent home, and we are excited that Addie has chosen to represent her home state here in Happy Valley! A native of the Philadelphia area, Addie is a left-handed hitter and talented outfielder who brings versatility to our roster. Defensively, she will add valuable depth to our outfield, and her dedication to improving her game will be a great asset to our program. We look forward to seeing Addie in the Blue & White, and we are excited to welcome her to our Penn State Softball family!”

Follow Addison

Instagram: addielouderback | X: AddieLouderback | TikTok: addie_louderback

ADDISON SABERS

ADDISON SABERS

INF | Lenexa, Kan. | Saint Thomas Aquinas High School 

Sabers, the 2026 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year and State Player of the Year, will join Penn State out of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. The Lenexa, Kansas native will bring one of the most explosive bats in the class of 2027 to Happy Valley, adding an elite power presence to the Nittany Lion lineup. Rivals ranks Sabers as a top 100 prospect nationally and the No. 11 corner infielder. The lefty led the Saint Thomas Aquinas Saints to three 5A state championship appearances from 2024-2026, winning the 2025 title and earning first team All-League honors in both 2025 and 2026. She hit 0.667 and set the single-season school record with 12 homeruns and 64 RBIs in her junior season. Sabers is also a member of the Kansas City Peppers travel ball program, where she has competed on the national level under Jeff Wallace for three years. In addition to softball, Sabers participates in basketball and has been an honor roll student all four years at Saint Thomas Aquinas. Her future plans include studying sports management at Penn State, playing professional softball and coaching youth sports. 

Why Addison Chose Penn State 

“I chose Penn State because I wanted to find a place where I could feel a sense of family, belonging and support even when I am miles away from home. When I visited Penn State, I could picture myself there and knew it was a place where I could build a home away from home while still carrying the love and values of my family with me. Penn State felt like a place where I belonged, and that made the decision feel right.” 

Coach Crowell on Sabers 

“We are excited that Addison will be joining our team next fall and we cannot wait to see her in the Blue & White! Addison is a powerful left-handed hitter who has the ability to make a significant impact on our offense. As a corner infielder, she will bring tremendous power to the plate, and we are excited about the offensive potential she brings to our lineup. A multi-sport athlete, Addison brings athleticism, competitiveness and a strong work ethic to our program, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Happy Valley!”

Follow Addison

Instagram: Addison.sabes | X: Addisonsabers

MADDY VOGAN

MADDY VOGAN

P | Sharon, Pa. | Sharon High School 

A right-handed pitcher from Sharon, Pennsylvania, Vogan joins Louderback as the second Keystone State signee and one of the most dominant pitchers out of the Commonwealth in recent years. As a junior, she led the Sharon Tigers to the PIAA 3A State Championship game with 357 strikeouts and a 0.41 ERA across 155 innings. She was named the District 10 Rookie of the Year in 2024 before being tabbed the 2026 3A Pennsylvania Player of the Year. Each season from 2024 to 2026, Vogan was named the District 10 and Region 3 Softball Player of the Year and received First Team All-State honors for her prowess in the circle. She will look to claim all of those honors once again during her final high school season in the spring of 2027. Vogan was a member of the Ohio Outlaws travel team, under the direction of Warren Wolff, from 2021-2026 and currently plays for the Rhode Island Thunder Gold under Dave Lotti. A National Honor Society member, Vogan plans to pursue a degree in secondary education and become a high school chemistry teacher. 

Why Maddy Chose Penn State 

“The coaches bring a family atmosphere but continue to instill the blue-collar work ethic that I have been raised with. Finding a school that was close enough for my family and community to be able to attend the games was important to me, and Penn State is that school. I loved the opportunity to represent my home state of PA and feel honored that Penn State University chose me to represent them!” 

Coach Crowell on Vogan 

“We are excited to welcome another Pennsylvania native to our Penn State Softball family! Hailing from Western Pennsylvania, Maddy is someone we have enjoyed watching grow and develop over the years. As a pitcher, she brings a great combination of speed and spin and will be a valuable addition to our pitching staff. Maddy is a dedicated and hardworking athlete, and we believe she will make a positive impact on our program. We look forward to Maddy's arrival in Happy Valley and are excited to see her proudly represent her home state in the Blue & White!”

Follow Maddy

Instagram: maddyvogan | X: MaddyVogan2027 | TikTok: maddyvogan_

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.