Softball Recruiting Class Ranked 41st Nationally

OXFORD, Ohio – Miami head softball coach Mandy Gardner-Colegate announced seven new additions to her program for the 2027 season. The recruiting class of Kendall Brown, Abby Herren, Paige Liezert, Irie Lohrenz, Morgan Muncy, Emily Sakys and Brooke Zuluaga was ranked 41^st nationally according to D1Softball.com.

"We are extremely proud of our 2026 signing class, which has been recognized as the 41st-best recruiting class in the country by D1 Softball," said Gardner-Colegate. "This group of seven student-athletes comes from all across the nation and represents some of the most respected travel ball programs in the game. They bring a perfect blend of strength, athleticism, competitiveness, and softball IQ that will allow them to make an immediate impact in our lineup. Beyond their physical tools, this class stands out because of who they are as people. Their work ethic, character, and genuine love for the game embody everything we value in Miami Softball. This group has the potential to do something special here, and we can't wait to see them continue to raise the standard of excellence here at Miami University."

Kendall Brown, Catcher, 5-8, R/R, Lancaster, Ohio (Lancaster)

Currently attends Lancaster High School
Coached by Alison Kinniard
Hit .553, with 48 RBI and four home runs as a junior
Posted a .991 fielding percentage with no passed balls in 2025
Named first-team All-Ohio as a sophomore
Was the team's offensive player of the year and was named to the Columbus Dispatch All-Metro Team in 2024
Earned honorable mention All-Ohio in 2025
As a junior was named to the Eagle Gazette Softball All-Area Team

Gardner-Colegate on Brown: "Kendall has been recognized as one of the top players in her class for a reason. She is an incredibly talented athlete whose skill set, leadership, and maturity set her apart. Her presence behind the plate is commanding; she receives and manages a game with poise and confidence well beyond her years. Offensively, she's a true force at the plate with the ability to drive the ball to all fields and change the game with one swing. Kendall's versatility to both catch and play the corner infield makes her an immediate asset to our program. She makes everyone around her better, and her competitiveness, strength, and feel for the game will make her a fan favorite here in Oxford. RedHawk fans are going to love watching her for years to come!"

Abby Herren, Infielder, 5-8, R/R, Centerburg, Ohio (Centerburg)

Currently attends Centerburg High School
Coached by Chuck Shank
Three-time team captain
Owns the school single-season record for home runs (10), runs scored (44), triples (5) and stolen bases (17)
Earned second-team all-state as a junior
Hit .480 and recorded a 1.133 slugging percentage as a junior
Named first-team All-District in 2025

Gardner-Colegate on Herren: "We're so excited to keep this one in-state! Abby Herren is the definition of a gamer. Her fire, energy, and competitive drive are what every coach wants to see. She plays with a relentless motor and a confidence that instantly elevates those around her. Abby has tremendous natural talent, and her combination of power, gap-to-gap hitting, and above-average speed makes her a constant threat on both sides of the ball. She's fearless, aggressive, and can play anywhere on the field, which makes her the kind of versatile athlete that thrives in our system. Abby's going to bring that Ohio grit to Oxford, and we can't wait to see her in Red and White!"

Paige Liezert, RHP, 5-5, R/R, Cedar Lake, Ind. (Crown Point)

Currently attends Crown Point High School
Coached by Angie Richwalski
Owns the single season strike out record with 293
Posted a 19-2 record with a 0.85 earned run average as a junior
Earned first-team all-state and was Max Preps Player of the Year in 2025
Led team to a state championship as a junior

Gardner-Colegate on Liezert: "Paige is an absolute competitor in every sense of the word. She consistently puts up video-game numbers, and her ability to generate swings and misses speaks volumes about her talent. While she may be smaller in stature, she plays big! Her presence on the mound commands attention from anyone watching. Paige spins it as well as any pitcher I've seen in a long time; her tight spin, late movement, and pinpoint command make her incredibly tough to hit. She thrives in the big moments, always wants the ball, and brings an energy that makes her teammates love playing behind her. She's going to make an immediate impact in our circle and fits perfectly into our culture of competitiveness and excellence."

Irie Lohrenz, RHP, 5-7, R/R, Chathem, Ill. (Glenwood)

Currently attends Glenwood High School
Coached by Vondel Edgar
Helped lead team to a state championship as a junior
Earned first-team all-state in 2025, finishing season with a 0.97 earned run average
Posted a record of 37-1

Gardner-Colegate on Lohrenz: "Irie is an absolute workhorse in the circle. She's a fierce competitor with elite spin and movement on her drop ball that consistently keeps hitters off balance. Irie thrives in big moments, she wants the ball when the game is on the line and has proven time and time again that she shines under pressure. She's fearless, confident, and brings a presence that elevates everyone around her. Irie is going to be a great addition to our pitching staff, and her movement patterns and tendencies will perfectly complement the rest of our group. She's exactly the type of competitor we want wearing Red and White."

Morgan Muncy, 3B/Utility, 5-7, L/R, Atwater, Ohio (Southeast)

Currently attends Southeast High School
Coached by Erin Muncy
Team Captain in 2025
Recorded a .624 batting average in 2025
Was named second-team All-Ohio and the team's offensive MVP as a junior
Was the first softball player in school history to earn first-team All-Ohio honors in 2024
Owns the school record for batting average as a freshman (.571), sophomore (.623) and junior (.624)

Gardner-Colegate on Muncy: "We're thrilled to have another in-state athlete staying home with us at Miami! Morgan Muncy is a gifted and versatile player who comes from an extremely athletic family, and that competitiveness shows every time she steps on the field. She can play anywhere and excels wherever she's placed. Her footwork, glove work, and overall feel for the game are exceptional. Offensively, she has a strong, confident bat that we believe will thrive at the next level. Morgan's versatility, athleticism, and energy make her a perfect fit for our program, and we can't wait to see her continue to grow as a RedHawk."

Emily Sakys, INF, 5-9, R/R, West Linn, Ore. (West Linn)

Currently attends West Linn High School
Coached by Gina Garvey
This fall she hit .444, with an on-base percentage of .519 and a slugging percentage of .733
As a junior she hit .476 with a 1.333 on-base percentage and .794 slugging percentage

Gardner-Colegate on Sakys: "Emily is a smooth-moving middle infielder with elite instincts and an exceptional feel for the game. Her glove work, understanding of arm slots, and overall softball IQ make her stand out immediately on the defensive side. She makes everything look effortless. Offensively, her swing is as pure and smooth as it gets. It's effortless yet explosive, and she has the rare ability to combine precision with power. What excites us most about Emily is that her ceiling is incredibly high; she's already an advanced player, but her best softball is still ahead of her. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and love for the game will allow her to keep improving every single day. Emily's passion and drive fit perfectly with our program's culture. We can't wait to see her shine as a RedHawk!"

Brooke Zuluaga, OF/LHP/INF, 5-8, L/L, Tempe, Ariz. (Seton Catholic Preparatory)

Currently attends Seton Catholic Preparatory
Coached by Ian Rodgers
Two-time team captain
Named 2025 All-Arizona Team
Was a finalist for the 2025 Arizona High School Player of the Year
Team MVP for softball and track
Recorded 231 strikeouts, while hitting .612 as a junior
Was the Division III javelin state champion

Gardner-Colegate on Zuluaga: "Brooke is simply an athlete in every sense of the word. She's a dynamic left-handed hitter with true power, elite bat-to-ball skills, and the ability to do it all offensively. She is able to drive the ball gap to gap, hit for power, or lay down a perfectly executed bunt. Defensively, her versatility allows her to contribute anywhere on the field, and she even brings the ability to pitch from the left side when needed. Brooke has faced elite competition playing for one of the top travel ball organizations in the country and continues to thrive against the best. On top of that, she'll also compete in javelin here at Miami, which speaks volumes about her athleticism and drive. We're thrilled to have her as a dual-sport athlete and can't wait to watch her excel as a RedHawk."

Softball Recruiting Class Ranked 41st Nationally

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