Softball 2026 First Years

Softball Colleen Murphy

Five Newcomers Join Yale Softball for 2026-27

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Laura Ricciardone, head coach of softball, has announced the addition of five newcomers to the roster ahead of the 2026-27 school year.

"I am thrilled to welcome these five young women to New Haven," said Ricciardone. "They bring nationally recognized talent, success, and experience to Yale Softball. They are powerful, athletic and eager to get to work here at Yale. I look forward to seeing their impact, both immediately and long term, on our program. The future is bright in New Haven."

Get to know the newcomers:

Izzie Barge, Infield
Sacramento, California

Before Yale
  • Attended St. Francis Catholic High School.
  • California Scholarship Foundation (CSF) honor society.
  • Member of the National Honor Society.
  • Seal of Biliteracy in Latin.
  • Mock Trial…Top Attorney, team's Most Valuable Player (MVP), and captain.
  • Merit Awards in math, English, anatomy, theology and history.
Competition
  • Second Team All-Sierra Foothill League selection.
  • Competed with the Firecrackers Select Leles U-18 team, which earned a national ranking of No. 15.
  • 2026 Line Drive Media Hot 100 – ranked No. 68.
  • 2025 Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) All-American National Watch List.
International
  • Member of the US Junior Women's National Team.
  • Won a gold medal with the US JWNT at the Utsugi Cup in Japan.
  • 3x USA High Performance Program (HPP) selection event invitee.
  • USA HPP Top 15 performer.

Personal: Daughter of Lyndsy and Michael Barge…founder of the Troubies in Politics club…member of Women in Sports, Medicine, and More and International Gal Pals…avid volunteer and philanthropist…raised $49K for a non-profit…was a Girl Scout for 11 years…did ballet for 10 years.

Why Yale? "Ever since I was a little girl, my parents told me to surround myself with people who would push me to become the best version of myself. That is why I chose Yale. I wanted to find a program where I would be loved, pushed, and most importantly believed in. Yale is everything I could have dreamed of, and more. Yalies strive for excellence in everything they do, on and off the field. At Yale I know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I am excited to grow as a leader, learn from and with the best, and compete alongside a special group of women. Being a part of the Yale family is the greatest honor."


Mia Burns, Catcher/Utility
Mesa, Arizona

Before Yale
  • Attended Red Mountain High School…competed in softball and badminton.
  • Member of the National Honor Society.
  • Top 20 in graduating class out of 804 students.
  • Seal of Biliteracy.
  • AP Statistics Student of the Year.
  • Four-time Sports 360 Arizona All-State Academic Team.
Competition
  • 2026 First Team All-Region.
  • 2025 Second Team All-Region.
  • 2x All-Region Honorable Mention (2023, 2024).
  • Helped her team to three East Valley Region Championships (2023, 2024, 2025).

Personal: Daughter of Celeste and Jay Burns…volunteer for Four Peaks Little League, coached junior high softball…older sister Kennedy plays softball at UMaine…younger sister is an ECNL soccer player.

Why Yale? "I chose Yale because the campus immediately felt like home. The outstanding academic opportunities, the competitive and welcoming softball team, and the beautiful campus made Yale feel like the perfect fit for me."


Abby Jennings, Infield
Dallas, Texas

Before Yale
  • Graduated summa cum laude from Plano West Senior High School.
  • 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
  • Member of the National Honor Society.
  • Earned the Blue Nation Award in AP Calculus for the top grade in the school.
  • AP Scholar with Distinction Award.
  • Plano Scholars Institute – awarded for 9th and 10th grade PSAT Index scores.
  • Academic All-State, ELITE (2026).
  • Academic All-District, District 6-6A (2023-2026).
Competition
  • First Team All-District, District 6-6A (2023, 2024, 2026).
  • Offensive Player of the Year, District 6-6A (2024).
  • Newcomer of the Year, District 6-6A (2023).
  • Team Defensive Player of the Year (2026).
  • Team MVP (2024).
  • Helped team to Bi-District, Area, and Regional Quarterfinal Championships (2024).
  • Helped team to District, Bi-District, and Area Championships (2023).

Personal: Daughter of Lisa and Clay Jennings…member of the North Texas Food Bank Young Advocates Council…volunteer for Lovepacs Plano…can juggle three balls.

Why Yale? "I chose Yale because from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt an immediate connection with the players, coaches, and community. The beauty of the campus and the rich traditions of Yale made it feel like a place where I could truly grow and belong. What ultimately set Yale apart was its commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics, allowing me to pursue my goals in the classroom and on the field at the highest level."


Heather Lloyd, Catcher/Outfield
Sammamish, Washington

Before Yale
  • Attended Eastlake High School.
  • Member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society.
  • AP Scholar with Honor.
  • College Board National School Recognition Award.
  • National Merit Commended Scholar.
  • Washington State Honors Award – for students ranked in the top 10% of their class.
Competition
  • Served as team captain as a senior.
  • First Team All-State (2026).
  • All-League Honorable Mention (2023).
  • First Team All-League (2024).
  • Second Team All-League (2025).
  • All-League Offensive Most Valuable Player (2026).
  • Golden Glove Award (2023).
  • Golden Bat Award (2026).
  • Colorado Sparkler All-American (2024).
  • Alliance All-Star Watch List & Team List (2026).
  • Helped club team to a top-10 finish at Alliance Nationals (2024).

Personal: Daughter of Suzanne and Jeff Lloyd…21st family member to attend Yale and first female…volunteer for Eastlake Link Crew…Girls Global Ready organization mentor…participated in a Genetic Engineering Camp, Molecular Biology of Cancer Camp, and Mini Medical School Camp, as well as Rice University's premedical summer program…enjoys playing the guitar, writing songs, hiking, and being outdoors.

Why Yale? "At Yale, I can pursue excellence both on and off the field! Plus, the welcoming and supportive environment was a huge draw, as Yale felt like home the second I stepped foot on campus. Coach Laura and Coach Lex create the best family environment a team could ask for, and I absolutely cannot wait to join the Bulldog family!"


Emmy Raines, Pitcher/Utility
Scottsdale, Arizona

Before Yale
  • Attended Desert Mountain High School…competed in softball and track and field.
  • AP Scholar with Distinction.
  • 4x Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Scholar Athlete.
  • Member of the National Honor Society.
Competition
  • 2x 5A First Team All-State (2025, 2026).
  • 2x First Team All-Region (2025, 2026).
  • District Female Spring Athlete of the Year.
  • DMHS Female Athlete of the Year.
  • First Team All-District (2026).
  • Helped team to three state titles.
  • Also a state champion in the javelin (2026) and First Team All-District.

Personal: Daughter of Adria and Bobby Raines…father Bobby threw javelin at Arizona State…mother Adria played tennis at Arizona State and is a member of the ASU Athletic Hall of Fame…brother is a competitive baseball player…youth softball coach at Scottsdale Miss Softball…ran youth clinics.

Why Yale? "I chose Yale because it offers the perfect combination of everything I want out of my college experience: a world-class education, amazing athletics, and a strong community. Yale softball's great team culture and the bond between the players and coaches are very exciting to be a part of. Upon visiting campus, Yale immediately felt like home, and I could not picture myself anywhere else."

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