Iowa State Inks Five on National Signing Day

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State softball program and head coach Jamie Pinkerton announced Friday that five outstanding prep softball players have signed their letters of intent to attend Iowa State. McKenna Andrews, Tatum Johnson, Ashley Minor, Tiana Poole and Jaiden Ralston are the new Cyclones, and are set to arrive on campus for the 2022-23 season.

"This is a class that addresses depth at all positions," Pinkerton said. "We're happy they all come from nationally recognized summer programs that we've built relationships with over the years since we've been at Iowa State. They come from winning programs and winning backgrounds, both on the club and high school side. The class really adds players that will help continue to grow our culture and the direction the program has gone over the last few years as we build to be a perennial region team and continue to improve Iowa State softball."

Here's a look at Iowa State softball's new additions, including thoughts from Pinkerton on each signee:

McKenna Andrews
Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas
High School: Flower Mound High School
Club Program: Texas Glory
Position: Middle Infield
In two years with Texas Glory, Andrews improved her batting average from .308 in 2020 to .376 in 2021, while tallying 85 hits and 82 RBI over the two seasons. She hit 23 home runs during her time with Texas Glory. During her three high school seasons at Flower Mound High School, Andrews hit over .400 all three years. During the 2021 season, she drove in 41 runs on 47 hits, while hitting five home runs. She has twice earned all-district honors, while being named to the All-Metroplex second team in 2021. Ranked 92^nd in the nation by Legacy and Legends Softball. She is a member of National Honor Society and is a three-time NFCA Academic All-American.

Coach Pinkerton on McKenna Andrews: "McKenna has experience playing multiple infield positions. She will help our lineup with her ability to hit gap-to-gap and the long ball, as well as having plus speed."

From the Lone Star State to the Cyclone State, welcome McKenna Andrews! #Cyclones 🌪️🥎 pic.twitter.com/N6e8QmSN4F
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) November 10, 2021

Tatum Johnson
Hometown: Chino Hills, Calif.
High School: Chino Hills High School
Club Program: California Cruisers Sievers
Position: Pitcher/Outfield
Johnson has played just two high school seasons due to Covid-19, but made an impact during both of them for Chino Hills High School. During her freshman year, she hit .345 with 30 hits and 22 RBi in 41 games, while also hitting five home runs. In the circle, she went 4-1 during her junior year. She tallied 32 strikeouts in 28 innings of work. She earned second-team All-Baseline League honors as a freshman, while helping Chino Hills reach the CIFSS Quarterfinals. During her junior season, Chino Hills advanced to the CIFSS Semifinals.

Coach Pinkerton on Tatum Johnson: "Tatum provides power to the lineup, as both an outfielder and a pitcher. She will provide depth in both the outfield and the bullpen. Offensively she has the ability to be a run producer in the middle of the lineup and runs well. In the circle, she will be a good complement to our bullpen."

How does three new Cyclones from Cali sound?

Welcome to Cyclone Nation, Tatum Johnson!#Cyclones 🌪️🥎 pic.twitter.com/i0mztya5NN
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) November 10, 2021

Ashley Minor
Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
High School: Rockwall High School
Club Program: Impact Gold National Rodriguez
Position: Corner Infielder/Utility
A power hitter from Texas, Minor drilled 45 home runs in her last two seasons with Impact Gold National Rodriguez and already has nine so far this season. Hit 11 home runs during junior year at Rockwall High School, giving her 18 for her high school career. Ranked 46^th in the nation by Legacy and Legends Softball. Minor is a two-time all-district selection, while being named to the all-metroplex team in 2021. She led Rockwall High School to the regional finals in 2019, while making the first appearance in school history at the state tournament in 2021. Also threw the discus as a junior, winning the district title and advancing to the regional finals. She is a member of the National Honor Society.

Coach Pinkerton on Ashley Minor: "Ashley is a versatile player that can play multiple positions. She is a middle of the lineup type hitter that will provide run production and has the ability to hit for power."

We're going back to the Lone Star State, as we welcome Ashley Minor to the Cyclone Family!#Cyclones 🌪️🥎 pic.twitter.com/dVjKwVWULQ
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) November 10, 2021

Tiana Poole
Hometown: Orange, Calif.
High School: Villa Park High School
Club Program: Corona Angels
Position: Infield
Hit .321 as a junior in high school with 25 hits, including four home runs. During a Covid-shortened sophomore season, she hit .429 with three home runs. Poole has 25 RBI in her last 28 high school games. Earned second-team all-league honors as a junior, while leading the team to back-to-back Trinity League Championships. Participated in the Orange County Fire Authority Explorer Program and was a volunteer with Orange Community Foundation and Santiago Charter Middle School. Named to the honor roll her junior year.

Coach Pinkerton on Tiana Poole: "Tiana is an athletic, versatile player can play multiple positions. She is a middle of the lineup hitter that will provide depth at multiple positions. She will provide some power and run production to our lineup."

Another one from California!

Welcome to the Cyclone Family, Tiana Poole!#Cyclones 🌪️🥎 pic.twitter.com/NnPxPjPvpF
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) November 10, 2021

Jaiden Ralston
Hometown: Paso Robles, Calif.
High School: Paso Robles High School
Club Program: California Suncats-Jimenez
Position: Pitcher
Went 18-5 with a 1.15 ERA as a freshman, while also striking out 199 batters. In a Covid-shorted season as a sophomore, Ralston went 3-1 with a .48 ERA and 35 strikeouts. Earned first team all-league honors in 2019. At the Oklahoma Alliance Nationals, Ralston collected five wins with a 1.16 ERA. She struck out 33 batters in 36.1 innings of work.

Coach Pinkerton on Jaiden Ralston: "Ralston will be a pitcher, coming in from a quality program in Northern California. We look forward to having her as a complement to our bullpen. She will provide young depth to an experienced bullpen."

From the Golden State, welcome to Cyclone Country, Jaiden Ralston! #Cyclones 🌪️🥎 pic.twitter.com/9A5xL9R4Dq
— Iowa State Softball (@CycloneSB) November 10, 2021

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Iowa State Inks Five on National Signing Day

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