Softball Inks Three In Fall Signing Period

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State softball program announced the addition of three student-athletes for its 2017 squad on Tuesday. Head coach Stacy Gemeinhardt-Cesler welcomes Samantha Williams of Dana Point, Calif., Talyn Lewis of Burlington, Wis. and Logan Schaben of Harlan, Iowa.

“I think it's a very athletic class,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “All of them at one time have played shortstop or middle infield. They can all play a lot of different positions and they are the type of players that wanted to get out of this class. All of them are very versatile.”

Lewis was named Racine County Player of the Year following a phenomenal junior season in 2015 that included a Second Team All-State honor. She was also named First Team All-Conference for the second consecutive year. In 2015, Lewis posted a batting average of .544 while hitting seven home runs. She also helped Burlington to a 2014 Regional Championship as a sophomore, while hitting .522 on the season. Playing for her club team, BATS Academy, Lewis put up a .431 batting average, to go with a 78 RBIs and nine home runs.

“I feel great about Talyn,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “She has a lot of power and can also hit for average. She was really highly recruited and I think it's absolutely wonderful that we got her to Iowa State.”

Schaben comes to Iowa State from Harlan, Iowa, where she posted a .538 batting average to go with 46 RBIs and 10 home runs in 27 games as a junior. Her batting average set a new Harlan Community High School season record, and is on track to set the school's career batting mark as well during her senior campaign. Schaben has been named First Team All-Conference in each of her first three seasons of high school softball, and was also a First Team All-State selection in 2015.

“We've been able to work with Logan quite a bit, especially recently through camps,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “We're thrilled to have her. She's been a Cyclone fan her whole life, so it's really cool that she's here.”

Williams plays high school softball for Dana Hills High School. As a junior, she recorded a .487 batting average while driving in 16 runs. Williams posted an on-base percentage of .530 in 2014-15 while scoring 27 runs in 22 games. Her club team, the Corona Angels, has also produced current Iowa State players Rachel Hartman, Nychole Antillon and Kirsten Caudle, in addition to several former Cyclones.

“Sami is a great addition,” Gemeinhardt-Cesler said. “She comes from the Corona Angels, and we've gotten a ton of good players from that program. Going back to Erica Miller, as well as Nychole, Jackie and Rachel also playing for the Corona Angles. It's just continuing with that program. They're just really strong and we're thrilled to have her.”