Southern Miss Adds Seven Players to 2027 Softball Class
Southern Miss softball coach Natalie Poole announced seven signees to the Golden Eagles’ 2027 class, with the players scheduled to join the program in fall 2027. The group includes athletes from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, California and Alberta and covers pitching, catching, infield and outfield positions.
The signees are right-handed pitcher Claire Sherwood; middle infielders Kamryn DiMaggio and Olivia Lockhart; utility player Lily Matthews; catcher and corner infielder Journey Phillips; first baseman Sadie Foote; and outfielder Briley Bolden.
Sherwood, who attends Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks, Alberta, was named tournament MVP while helping Calgary Adrenaline win the 2025 Canadian National Championship. She recorded a 1.32 ERA and 222 strikeouts in 159 innings that season and hit .439. Sherwood also plays for Team Canada, Poole said.
Lockhart, a shortstop from Sarasota High School in Florida, hit .414 with a .437 on-base percentage in 27 games during the 2026 season. She had 41 hits, 34 runs and 15 RBIs, and stole 31 bases. She helped Sarasota reach the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A state tournament.
Matthews, from Liberty High School in Menifee, California, batted .573 with a .584 on-base percentage and a 1.120 slugging percentage in 2026. She finished with 43 hits, 32 RBIs and 25 runs. Her .906 fielding percentage accompanied her work as a utility player.
DiMaggio helped Archbishop Chapelle High School in New Orleans win the 2024 Louisiana Division I Select state championship, the school’s first softball title. She hit a game-tying single in the fifth inning of the championship game and delivered a two-run double in a 2025 playoff upset of the top seed. Poole said DiMaggio, Lockhart and Matthews can play multiple positions.
Bolden, a Fairhope High School outfielder in Alabama, hit .413 with a .485 on-base percentage, 12 home runs, 45 hits, 44 RBIs and 34 runs in 2026. She posted a .960 fielding percentage and helped Fairhope win the Class 7A Area 2 title game and reach the state playoffs.
Foote, a first baseman from Starkville High School in Mississippi, hit .582 with a .691 on-base percentage across two varsity seasons, totaling 57 hits, 46 RBIs and seven home runs. In 23 games during 2025-26, she had 32 hits, 19 RBIs, four home runs and eight doubles.
Phillips, a three-sport varsity athlete at Alcorn Central High School in Glen, Mississippi, helped the softball team reach the 2026 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A playoffs. She had a 4-for-4 game against Mantachie on March 31, 2026, and also played middle hitter and defensive specialist in volleyball.
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