The Wisconsin Badgers softball team began its season on Feb. 7 and currently boasts a solid 8-4 record. Since last season, they have signed eight new freshmen and two transfer athletes. Who are these new faces, and what do they bring to the team?
Freshmen
Commenting on the eight players in the class of 2024, Badger softball head coach Yvette Healy said, "We've added speed, power and lots of pitching to the program with this class.”
“This is a hard-working group that loves to compete,” Healy said.
The class of 2024 features four pitchers. Mattie Beliveau hails from Riverside, California, and has earned First Team All-League three times. Gabby Fakes is a native of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where she was named First Team All-District three times. Jordan Felci comes to the Badgers from Staten Island, New York, with a First Team All-State honor under her belt. Kendra Lewis is a pitcher and infielder from Milan, Illinois, who was named the 2022 MaxPreps Illinois Softball Player of the Year and is a three-time 2A Illinois State Champion pitcher.
Beyond their talented roster of pitchers, the Badgers welcome four other freshmen this season. Hannah Conger, from Gurnee, Illinois, plays shortstop and second base. Conger is a three-time All-Conference honoree, and her father played basketball at UW-Madison. Emma King is an outfielder from League City, Texas, who earned a First Team All-State award. Jackie Showalter is a native of Hartland, Wisconsin, and she plays both first base and serves as a utility player. She is a two-time state home run leader in Wisconsin. Kaylie Whidden from Monument, Colorado, plays second base and shortstop. She was named to the 5A Jeffco All-Conference First Team four times.
These freshmen are already making an impact on their team. In January, Softball America named three Wisconsin freshmen — Lewis, Showalter and Conger — to their 2025 Freshman Watchlist. Lewis has been a top performer so far, leading the Badgers with a .455 batting average this season. She has also contributed six RBIs.
Transfers
The Badgers have also welcomed two transfers to their program this spring. Right-handed pitcher Molly Jacobson played at Virginia Tech before signing with the Badgers. Jacobson is an experienced player with one year of eligibility remaining. Infielder Makenzie Foster also joins the team after playing one season at Syracuse. She started in the majority of games last season and earned a .294 batting average, the third-highest on the team.
With many games still to be played, Badgers fans can look forward to watching these new athletes grow into their roles on the Wisconsin softball team.
