RICHMOND, Ky. – EKU softball adds seven players during the Fall signing period to its 2023 class, announced by head coach Jane Worthington on Thursday afternoon.
 
"This class of signees is a special group of individuals," said Worthington. "In addition to being talented softball players; they are quality people and great students. I have enjoyed them and their families throughout the recruiting process. I fully expect this class to have an immediate impact on our program and university next season."
 
Makayla Mathis
Mathis comes to EKU from Westminster, California, playing at Marina High School. The outfielder won Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, where she did not record an error. Mathis won MVP in 2021 where she had a .362 batting average and .457 on-base percentage.
 
Emily Mariscal
Mariscal is from Anaheim, California, playing at John F. Kennedy High School. The infielder won the Empire League Championship during the 2021-22 season at JFK.
 
Kaitlyn Wallis
Wallis comes to EKU from Barboursville, West Virginia, playing at Cabell Midland High School. The outfielder won a 3A State Championship during her sophomore season, where she posted a .243 batting average with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs. Wallis had a breakout junior year while being on the All-MSAC Team, where she recorded a .424 batting average with 21 home runs and 92 RBIs.
 
Maddi Ratun
Rutan comes to the Colonels from Columbus North High School in Columbus, Indiana as a pitcher and shortstop. She earned All-Conference and All-State honors in 2021 and 2022. Rutan posted a .467 batting average with 15 home runs and 209 strikeouts on the mound. She set the school record for strikeouts in a game with 17 in 2022. As a pitcher, she recorded 188 strikeouts and a 0.59 ERA. Rutan also dominated at the plate with a .538 batting average with 12 home runs.
 
Reese Knox
Knox comes to the Colonels from East Hamilton High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The two-time All-State outfielder posted a .442 batting average with 46 hits and 30 stolen bases as a sophomore while winning a district championship during the 2020-21 season. Knox improved on her sophomore campaign in the 2021-22 season, as she recorded a .645 batting average with 78 hits and 48 stolen bases, earning the District Player of the Year. She also played volleyball in high school.
 
Kennedy Drafton
Drafton comes to EKU from Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas. The utility player won the bi-district championship in 2021 before breaking out in 2022, where she posted a .542 average with 40 RBIs, 16 stolen bases and a .950 fielding percentage, earning All-State honors. She led her team to a Region 3 Championship in 2022.
 
Sharyn Duncan
Duncan is from Placentia, California, playing at Esperanza High School. The shortstop won the Division 1 CIF-Southern Section Championship in 2021. She also played volleyball in high school.

Eastern Kentucky is coming off its inaugural season in the ASUN Conference, where the program went 13-36 (9-15 ASUN) and earned series wins over Bellarmine, Lipscomb, and Stetson.