TEMPE – Coming off a Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship and a NCAA Super Regional berth, the Sun Devil Softball program re-loaded on the recruiting front as Arizona State’s 2027 signing class was ranked among the 10 bests across the country, according to both D1Softball and Softball America/Rivals. Both publications rank the class as the highest among Big 12 Conference softball programs.
Fueled by seven four-star recruits, according to Softball America/Rivals, Sun Devil Softball head coach Megan Bartlett and her staff received Athletic Scholarship Agreement (ASA) from Emma Escamilla, Kierstyn Lambeth, Nia De Luna, Hayley Ford, Hayden Huerta, Adeline Shultz, Catalina Medina and Lilly Sifrit.
“We are thrilled to welcome these eight talented played and their families into our program,” said Bartlett. “This recruiting class is a top 10 class nationally. We were very deliberate in adding players who brought physicality, speed and aggressiveness to the table from the offensive and defensive side. In the circle, we wanted to find pitchers with the ability to get swing and misses. This class fits all those things.
“I am so grateful to these young women for their belief and trust in our vision for Sun Devil Softball.”
Arizona State Softball Signing Class
Emma Escamilla
Position: RHP
Hometown: Pharr, Texas
High School: PSJA North Early College (TX) High School
Travel ball: Impact Gold Jackson 18U
A 5-foot-6, right-handed pitcher from Texas … ranked as the 35th overall player in the nation, 13th highest-rated pitcher and 11th best prospect in Texas by Softball America / Rivals … selected to the Texas Sports Writers Association All-State team … two-time 31-5A District Most Valuable Player … chosen to the Clearwater Invite All-Tournament and Alliance All-Tournament teams … a member of the National Honors Society … daughter of Zoraida and Oscar Escamilla … has two brothers – Daniel and Oscar – and two sisters, Samantha and Allyssa ...
Coach Bartlett on Escamilla: “Emma is tough as nails in the circle. She has been pitching at the highest level of travel ball for the past two years and shown an ability to win in the biggest games. Emma’s ability to work multiple heights in the zone, while changing speeds was something we really valued in the recruiting process. She’s continued to develop since committing to us and we’re excited to have her on our staff next season.”
Kierstyn Lambeth
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: League City, Texas
High School: Clear Creek (TX) High School
Travel ball: Impact Gold – Jackson 18U
A 5-foot-4 lefty outfielder from of the Lone Star State … ranked as the 63rd overall player in the nation, 6th highest-rated outfielder and 18th best prospect in Texas by Softball America / Rivals … a three-time First Team All-District 24-6A selection … three-time All-Galveston County honoree … two-time District 24-6A Texas Regional finalist … 2026 Texas Girls Coaches Association 6A Texas – All-Star … two-time Offensive Most Valuable Player at the Impact Gold Organization Goldy Awards … 2025 Super Cup Offensive Most Valuable Player … HPP Top 18 Performer … two-time CCISD Superintendent’s Scholar Recipient … National Honors Society member … an A-Honor Roll student … daughter of Keri and Ryan Lambeth … has a sister, Kyleigh ...
Coach Bartlett on Lambeth: “Kierstyn is another talented left-handed hitter. She brings a fierce competitiveness to the game. Kierstyn has the ability to hit for power and average, while using her speed as a base-stealing threat. Her defensive ability stood out amongst her peers as she is an aggressive defender with an elite arm. Her ability to play all three outfield positions – combined with her offensive tools – will help the program compete for championships.”
Nia De Luna
Position: Utility
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High School: Winston Churchill (TX) High School
Travel ball: Texas Blaze 18U United
A 5-foot-9 right-handed utility player, is a four-year member of her varsity squad … ranked as the 62nd overall player in the nation, 22nd highest-rated middle infielder and 17th best prospect in Texas by Softball America / Rivals … a two-time defensive player of the year … two-time first-team all-district selection … high school team’s most valuable player … a three-time academic all-district selection … a two-time National Honors Society honoree … an Alliance 14U National Champion (2024) … batted .404 with a 1.210 OPS and drove in 25 runs during the 2026 summer travel ball circuit …TFL Fall Championship 16U All-Tournament Team (2025) travel ball team’s defensive most valuable player (2023) … ranked as the No. 61 overall recruit, No. 18 in the state of Texas and No. 18 middle infielder by Softball America + On3 … also participated in discus throwing for her high school’s track and field program … the daughter of Melissa and Joey De Luna …has two brothers, Ilan and Jonah …
Coach Bartlett on De Luna: “Nia is a physical power hitter, whose skill set will translate well in Tempe. We are always looking for players who can consistently hit for power and Nia fits that mold. We really feel she can be a physical force in the lineup. Nia is a legacy Sun Devil from the state of Texas. We are extremely excited to welcome the De Luna family back to the state of Arizona.”
Hayley Ford
Position: Infielder
Hometown: Edmond, Okla.
High School: Edmond Santa Fe (Okla.) High School
Travel ball: Oklahoma Athletics National 18U
A 5-foot-7, infielder out of the Sooner State … ranked as the 77th overall player in the nation, 24th highest-rated middle infielder and 2nd best prospect in Oklahoma by Softball America / Rivals … selected to the Class 6A-3 All-District and All-Region First Team … a second-team all-district selection as a sophomore … made four Elite Eight appearances on the travel ball scene …a member of the National Honor Society and will graduate towards the top of her class … daughter of Desirae and Shannon Ford … has four sisters: Kiera, Tawny, Desinty and Willa, who is a current member of the Arizona State softball program … also has two brothers, Trace and Destin …
Coach Bartlett on Ford: “Hayley is a tremendous athlete who has the potential to come in and make an impact immediately. She’s a physical, twitchy shortstop who brings power to the plate. Hayley plays with a quiet calmness that stands out as a middle infielder. With her older sister, Willa, already a Sun Devil, we are thrilled to reunite them next Fall.”
Hayden Huerta
Position: Second Base
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
High School: Rosary Academy
Travel ball: Athletics Mercado
A 5-foot-3 second baseman out of California … ranked as the 92nd overall player in the nation, 28 highest-rated middle infielder and 24th best prospect in California by Softball America / Rivals … is Rosary Academy’s career batting average (.546) and runs scored (135) leader heading into her senior season… has set the program’s single-season records in hits (60), batting average (.577), runs scored (53) and doubles (16) … a three-time All-Orange Country selection … two-time league most valuable player … three-time all-state selection … “Athlete of the Year” as a freshman, sophomore and junior … a two-time PGF National Champion (14U, 16U) … three-year honor roll and scholar-athlete recipient … daughter of Nicola and Nick Huerta … has one sister, Hailey ...
Coach Bartlett on Huerta: “Hayden is a player who will bring a toughness to the field that every team needs. She plays the game hard and with an intensity that stood out to us during the recruiting process. She’s a true left-handed triple threat and a talented second baseman with high-end athleticism that allows her to play several positions. I’m really excited to watch her compete in Tempe.”
Adeline Shultz
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Hometown: Georgetown, Ind.
High School: Floyd Central (Ind.) High School
Travel ball: Beverly Bandits Lewis/Sloan 18U
A 5-foot-11 left-handed pitcher out of the Hoosier State … ranked as the 91st overall player in the nation, 29th highest-rated pitcher and 4th best prospect in Indiana by Softball America / Rivals … a three-time all-conference selection … three-time all-sectional honoree … 2025 Golden Arm award winner … a six-time all-conference and all-sectional member in cross country/track … a two-time Floyd Central Most Valuable Runner …PGF Premier National Championship (2026) …pitched 42.2 innings and held opponents to a .129 BAA with 53 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA at the 2026 PGF Nationals … Line Drive’s 16U All-Summer Team (2026) …member of the National Honors Society …AP Scholar …Indiana College Core graduate …student-athlete leadership team member … expected to graduate – with academic honors – in the top eight percent of her class with a 4.75 GPA ... daughter of Kelly and George Shultz … has two brothers, Owen and Oliver …
Coach Bartlett on Shultz: “Adeline is a long, left-handed pitcher with exception arm talent. Her ability to spin the ball is second to none, which she showcased in the PGF National Championship game last summer. She had dominating performances all week, and the brought the trophy home. Her ability to get swing and misses is impressive. I’m thrilled she chose to be a Sun Devil.”
Catalina Medina
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
High School: Willow Glen (Calif.) High School
Travel ball: Lady Magic Munoz 18U
A 5-foot-4, left-hander from the Bay Area … ranked as the 141st overall player in the nation, 24th highest-rated outfielder and 31st best prospect in California by Softball America / Rivals … earned “… of the Year” awards as a freshman, sophomore and junior … will enter her senior season having already totaled 100 career hits during her prep career … has a career 1.085 OPS (.631 SLG/.454 OBP) through her junior season … scored 27-or-more runs during her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons … has stolen 44 bases over a three-season span … a PGF 12U National Champion … Colorado Sparkler Power Pool Champion … daughter of Isabel and Joseph Medina … has a sister, Salma …
Coach Bartlett on Medina: “Cat is a confident and gifted left-handed hitter with the ability to hit for power and average. She is a highly skilled hitter who has been well-trained. Cat’s ability to make plays in the outfield gives us a player who is dynamic on both sides of the ball. We are happy she chose to be a Sun Devil.”
Lilly Sifrit
Position: Catcher/Outfielder
Hometown: Elida, Ohio
High School: Homeschooled
Travel ball: Unity Midwest 18U
A 5-foot-10 left-hander, Sifrit splits time behind the dish and in the outfield … rated as a three-star prospect by Softball America/Rivals … slashed .465/.489/.767 in 48 plate appearances with 20 runs scored, 18 stolen bases, and 10 RBI in 18 games played with United Midwest 18U during Fall 2025 to Summer 2026 … daughter of Katie and Troy Sifrit … has three sisters – Hannah, Lyra and Sami – and one brother, Tugg …
Coach Bartlett on Sifrit: “Lilly is a left-handed hitter with both power and speed. When recruiting her, her ability to combine power and speed made her really stand out. She’s a gifted athlete with great baserunning instincts. Defensively, she can play multiple positions at a high level. She’s an all-around softball player, who has many tools to help the program compete for our next national championship.”
UP NEXT
After playing five games and an intersquad scrimmage over the last six days, Arizona State will wrap up its fall slate on Thursday, Nov. 12, when the Sun Devils take on the UNLV Rebels at 7:30 p.m. MST at Farrington Stadium.
FOLLOW US
For the latest information on the team, follow @SunDevilSoftball on X, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @TheSunDevils on X, Instagram and Facebook.