STEPHENVILLE – Fresh off securing the first postseason bid in Tarleton State University’s Division I era, head coach Mark Cumpian announced the addition of nine high school standouts for the 2023 recruiting class.
This class of student-athletes will begin their collegiate careers this fall, ahead of the 2024 Tarleton spring season.
“This is one of the largest signing class of incoming freshmen we have ever had, which says a lot about the growth of our program at the Division I level,” said head coach Mark Cumpian. “We’ve showed that we have what it takes to be successful at the Division I level and some of the top young talent around the country is taking notice. We’re are thrilled about this group of incoming student-athletes.”
The softball class of 2023 includes:
Emma Urban | RHP | Menifee, Calif.
The first arm of the class of 2023 comes to Stephenville from the west coast.
Emma Urban has been a standout dual-threat athlete for Paloma Valley High School and the Power Surge Softball Club in San Diego. With multiple shutouts and no-hitters to her credit, Urban led her high school program to two California Interscholastic Federation postseason tournaments. With PowerSurge, her team won a TCS National Championship last summer.
“Emma is a very talented player we found on the summer circuit in Colorado,” said Cumpian. “She can get the ball up in the zone and gets a lot of flyouts. She can really command the zone with strikes. She’s the style of pitcher we need to complement our staff.”
Makayla Cox | IF | Frisco, Texas
Coming to the infield at Tarleton State is the star from Frisco.
Makayla Cox joins the class of 2023 ahead of her senior season at Reedy High School in Frisco, but her three-year resumé is full of accolades. Cox signs on with the Texans having already been named to two all-district first teams, two all-metroplex first teams, her team’s Hitter of the Year, and twice the RHS team MVP. As a two-way superstar, she hit .461 with a 1.302 OPS and a .763 slugging percentage while rewriting the Reedy record books in the pitcher’s circle. As a pitcher, she set school records for ERA (2.01) in a season, strikeouts (188) in a season, and strikeouts (16) in a single game.
“Makayla is a workhorse,” said Cumpian. “She brings a big offensive presence at the plate and brings a sure-handed glove at the corner position. She’s also been an elite pitcher for her high school, so she can really do it all on the softball diamond.”
Maison Guerra | C | Canyon, Texas
A field general from the panhandle is headed south to Stephenville.
Maison Guerra joins the Tarleton class of 2023 after a standout career for Canyon High School, where she enters her senior season having already led her team to back-to-back undefeated district championships. Guerra was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year as a junior. She also slugged 10 home runs during that campaign.
“Mason is a solid, defensive-minded catcher that will help our program immensely behind the dish,” said Cumpian. “She also has a great bat and can help provide a lot of run support for her pitching staff for years to come.”
Keegan Rowland | UT | Colbert, Okla.
A familiar last name joins the class of 2023.
Keegan Rowland, the younger sister of Texan catcher Brandy Rowland, is set to join the Texans next fall. Keegan has been a star for Colbert High School in Oklahoma, where she has been a four-year starter on varsity. She’s a three-time all-conference, two-time all-district, and once all-region award winner. She also a two-sport athlete with three years of varsity basketball on her resumé.
“Keegan has gotten better and better every time I’ve watched her,” said Cumpian. “She’s a true utility player with the ability to play several positions well. She has a tremendous work ethic and a great softball IQ. We’re excited to add her to our team.”
Avery Songer | OF | Emory, Texas
A state champion outfielder is coming to roam the outfield plains at the Tarleton Softball Complex.
After leading Rains High School to a 3A state championship in 2021, Avery Songer is set to join the Texan outfield. Songer is an all-state selection and was a star in the 2021 title game with a three-hit performance. She’s also a two-sport star for Rains with four years of track and field experience.
“Avery is a slapper with incredible speed and she can also cover a lot of ground in the outfield,” said Cumpian. “She can make things happen offensively with her speed. We’re excited to see her on the basepaths for years to come.”
Molly Cochran | UT | Liberty Hill, Texas
An offensive firecracker with experience at every position on the diamond bring versatility to the Tarleton class of 2023.
Molly Cochran comes to Tarleton after a two-time all-district career for Liberty Hill High School. In every season of her career, Cochran was among the top leaders on her team in every offensive category. She spent three seasons playing for Texas Blaze 18U, which was ranked No. 8 in the state of Texas TFL.
“I have watched Molly grow into a fine young athlete,” said Cumpian. “We have watched her for a very long time and she has grown into a great athlete with the ability to play all over the field. I’m excited to finally have Molly as part of Tarleton Softball.”
Madison Lux | 1B | Temple, Texas
Lake Belton High School’s all-state slugger is ready to don the purple and white.
Madison Lux just capped off a tremendous All-State junior season, in which she led Lake Belton to the region finals. She hit .415 with seven home runs, 29 RBI, and 30 runs scored in her breakout junior season. She also played two seasons for Buzz.
“Madison brings some big pop at the plate,” said Cumpian. “We picked her up late in the recruiting process and she has continued to develop into a solid athlete. I expect her to make immediate contributions to our offense.”
Gracie Riney | RHP | Krum, Texas
The second pitcher of the signing class comes from familiar territory.
The Denton-Krum area has been a strong area of recruitment for Tarleton and Cumpian, producing the likes of Tristan Bridges, Morgan Medford, and more in recent seasons. Now the Texans bring in right-handed pitcher Gracie Riney from Krum High School. Riney enters her senior season having already twice been named all-district and all-area. She struck out 101 from the circle and also hit .422 as a junior.
“Gracie is a very crafty pitcher that can really mix speeds,” said Cumpian. “She’s a bulldog in the circle and finds a way to get outs. Gracie should be able to eat a lot of innings for us.”
Faith Drissel | RHP | Flower Mound, Texas
Another arm in the pitcher’s circle rounds out the class of 2023.
Marcus High School star Faith Drissel will bring her pitching prowess to Stephenville. Entering her senior season, Drissel is already a two-time all-district selection and was the 2022 DFW Fastpitch Pitcher of the Year and All-Metroplex team selection. She played select ball for Texas Glory.
“Faith is a fine young pitcher that has all the tools to be a complete pitcher at the Division I level,” said Cumpian. “I expect Faith to leave her mark on this program and have a great impact over the next four years.”
Be the first to comment