SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana softball head coach Gretta Melsted announced the signing of two additional incoming athletes for the 2027 season, welcoming Bella Zach and Claire Wynja. 

Bella Zach | Outfielder/Utility | Valley, Neb. | Douglas County West

High School: Zach is a four-year letter winner and four-year starter for Douglas County West Community High School in Valley, Nebraska. She also earned all-conference honors in three-stright season and broke six school records in the 2025 season. She sits seventh all-time in Nebraska state high school history in batting average of .562. 

Personal: Zach is the daughter of Matt and Molly and plans to major in business. 

Coach Melsted on Zach: "Bella is an all-around athlete.  She has played high-level softball with the Nebraska Gold organization.  She is a utility player who can play multiple positions.  She is extremely fast and has great hand-eye coordination.  She had one of the highest batting averages in the state of Nebraska last fall.  She joins a 2027 class that is very deep, athletic, and incredibly talented."

Claire Wynja | Infield/Outfield | Dell Rapids, S.D. | South Dakota State/Dell Rapids

College: Appeared in 28 games predominantly as a pinch runner while starting two at shortstop with South Dakota State. She scored nine runs and stole one base. Wynja recorded her first-career hit against Houston Christian. She is a 2024-25 Summit League Academic Honor Roll honoree and a 2024-25 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete.

High School: Graduated from Dell Rapids High School in the spring of 2024. She is a Dak 12 First Team All-Conference, a State All-Tournament, and SDHSAA All-State honoree. She hit .707 with a 1.293 slugging percentage and .759 on-base percentage in her senior season. During her spring season, she hit a team-leading .596 and was named All-Conference, All-State, All-Tournament, and Academic All-State.

Personal: Claire is the daughter of Kevin and Julie and plans to major in exercise science.

Coach Melsted on Wynja: "Claire is a local athlete whom we have known for years.  We recruited her in high school when she played for Augustana Softball alum, Theresa McMahaon, in Dell Rapids.  She also played for the South Dakota Renegades for Coach Thompson, so we are very familiar with Claire and the attributes she brings to a team.  She is fast, swings a good bat, is a hard worker, and is very versatile.  We are excited to have her join us."

*Wynja joins Augustana as a mid-year transfer and will be on the 2026 roster