SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana softball head coach Gretta Melsted announced the signing of six incoming athletes for the 2027 season, welcoming Piper Johnson, Jayci Olson, Eleanor Porisch, Nevaeh Coleman, Lily Knutson and Ava Tague.
Coach Melsted on the class: "I'm excited about our 2026 recruiting class. It is a large and very talented group. This signing class has a little bit of everything, including speed, slapping, offensive power, pitching, and sound defense. They will make an impact on our program. In addition to being great athletes, they are also great students and human beings."
Piper Johnson | Shortstop/Pitcher/Utility | Fairfox, Iowa | Prairie
High School: Johnson is a two-year letter winner and two-year starter at Prairie High School. She has earned all-state honors in 2022 and 2023. She has earned all-conference honors in back-to-back seasons while batting above .380 each year. Johnson enters her senior season this Spring.
Personal: Johnson is the daughter of Jeff and Erin and plans to major in sports marketing/management.
Coach Melsted on Johnson: "Piper Johnson is a multi-dimensional softball player. She has speed and can play both middle infield positions, the outfield, and pitch. She also swings a very consistent bat and has a high on-base percentage. Look for Piper to continue being a multi-dimensional player in college as her softball IQ is high."
Ava Tague | Second Base/Third Base/Outfield | North Liberty, Iowa | Iowa City Liberty
High School: Tague enters her senior season as a three-year letter winner and three-year starter for Iowa City Liberty High School. She has earned consecutive all-conference honors and was named the Your Prep Sports - Breakout Player of the Year after he sophomore season. Tague's senior season begins this Spring.
Personal: Tague is the daughter of Marshall and Abby, and plans to major in Biology.
Coach Melsted on Tague: "Ava Tague is a versatile infielder with the ability to play multiple positions. Offensively, Tague is a major threat, known for hitting doubles. She is a consistent hitter whose power potential will increase at the next level."
Nevaeh Coleman | Outfield/Catcher/Utility | Lincoln, Nebraska | Lincoln East
High School: Coleman finished out her senior season as the 2025 East Softball Most Valuable Player after she recorded a .606 batting average and a 1.000 fielding percentage with 137 chances. She is a four-year letter winner and three-year starter. She recorded 100 career stolen bases in high school.
Personal: Coleman is the daughter of Craig and Miranda and plans to major in sports management.
Coach Melsted on Coleman: "Nevaeh Coleman is a slapper who stymies defenses. She has elite speed. Defensively, she will help our program both in the outfield and behind the plate. Coleman is just starting to scratch the surface of her softball potential."
Jayci Olson | First Base/Pitcher/Utility | Harrisburg, South Dakota | Harrisburg
High School: Olson enters her senior season as a two-year letter winner and a two-year starter for Harrisburg High School and was named team captain for the upcoming Spring. She has earned all-metro honors and was named an NFCA all-region first-team honoree during her sophomore year.
Personal: Olson is the daughter of Nathan and Jenna and plans to major in exercise science.
Coach Melsted on Olson: "Jayci Olson is a force to be reckoned with at the plate. Known for her power and presence on the field at first base, the local stand-out is known for her ability to change the trajectory of the game with one swing."
Eleanor Porisch | Outfield/Utility | Edina, Minnesota | Benilde-St. Margarets
High School: Porisch enters her senior season as a three-year starter and three-year letter winner. She was named team captain for Benilde-St. Margaret's in her sophomore year. Porisch helped the Red Knights win back-to-back section championships. She begins her senior season this Spring.
Personal: Porisch is the daughter of John and Lisa and she plans to major in Biology.
Coach Melsted on Porisch: "Eleanor Porisch is another multi-dimensional player. She can also play the infield and outfield and even pitch if need be. She yields a heavy bat and was also coached by former Augustana softball great, Lindsay Spanton."
Lily Knutson | Pitcher/Utility | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | John F. Kennedy
High School: Knutson is a three-year letter winner and three-year starter for John F. Kennedy High School. She is a three-time all-conference honoree and has been named first-team all-state in back-to-back seasons. Knutson enters her senior season this Spring.
Personal: Lily is the daughter of Jeff and Sarah and is planning to major in criminal justice.
Coach Melsted on Knutson: "Lily Knutson will join the list of dominant Augustana pitchers. She has great movement and speed, a combination that will make her successful at the next level. In addition, Knutson is an offensive threat at the plate who can hit for power."
-- GoAugie.com --
