Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University (SIU) softball team has announced the signing of five new players for its 2026 recruiting class. The group includes Tylen Edwards, Kymorie Myers, Gianni Torres, Sydnee Wagner, and Kaliyah Williams.

Head coach Jen Sewell expressed her satisfaction with the new recruits and praised Recruiting Coordinator Laurin Watts for her work. "This 2026 group is just another spectacular class joining us next fall and I have to say, I couldn't be happier with our Recruiting Coordinator Laurin Watts and her efforts to get these athletes recruited and signed," Sewell said. "The Saluki brand continues to draw players from all over the country, each are some of the best in their respective states and on their respective clubs. They fit us on every level – quality people from great families, highly versatile and so athletic and extremely intelligent both on and off the field."

D1Softball.com ranked SIU’s incoming class at No. 47 in its first-ever signing class rankings. SIU was the only Missouri Valley Conference team listed among the top 50.

Edwards is a corner infielder and catcher from Owasso, Oklahoma. She plans to major in sports photography at SIU. At Owasso High School, she contributed to district, regional, and state championships while earning individual honors such as All-Region First Baseman, All-District Catcher, and District Defensive Player of the Year.

"We are graduating some big hitters in the next couple of seasons and Tylen is here to fill one of those spots in the lineup," Sewell said. "But much like Kymorie, she also brings a big bat without giving up anything on the defensive side. We expect to see her in the middle of our lineup card but most of all, I can't wait to see her presence in the infield. She's such a great athlete and she's going to be a force to reckon with for opposing teams. Tylen comes from winning programs and an expectation of winning at everything she does so I'm excited to see her in a Saluki uniform next fall."

Myers joins as an outfielder from Auxvasse, Missouri’s North Callaway High School. She has been recognized as a Class 3 All-State outfielder and was ranked as Missouri’s top outfielder during her junior year. Myers broke school records for single-season home runs, RBIs, and hits; she intends to major in cyber security.

"Everyone that knows our offense knows we love to keep a few true lefties with big pop in our lineup and that's where Kymorie fits in for us," Sewell said. "And we aren't a defense that likes to hide hitters in the outfield so we need them to bring it on defense. That's where Kymorie will shine. We aren't giving up either side of the game when she gets into our lineup. Missouri has been good to us in previous recruiting years and we are so thrilled to have one of the best players and people joining us here at Southern."

Torres arrives from Cape Coral, Florida’s Fort Myers High School as a catcher who helped secure three district championships there while receiving awards including MVP honors along with All-State recognition; she plans on studying pre-med.

"I'm not supposed to have favorites but I just love seeing this kid come to Southern," Sewell said. "I'm partial to catchers because I think they are just the quiet workers on the field but Gianni is a blue-collar athlete who is just a grinder and as long as her team wins, she's going to put it on the line. And the coolest part of her joining us is that she has caught Kaliyah and that bond is already there as battery mates and teammates. It's neat to get them both and see them continue their softball journeys together."

Wagner comes from Grain Valley High School in Missouri as an infielder recognized by multiple organizations including Line Drive Softball which ranked her No. 47 overall nationally for this class; Wagner intends to major in animal science.

"I think outsiders are going to see Syd's rankings and her resume of awards but what I hope they recognize is what a great fit this kid is just all around – culturally, athletically, and mentality wise it's like Syd is just made to be a Saluki," Sewell said. "We have a long history of middle infield greats here at Southern and I'm looking forward to watching Syd get after it defensively and offensively. Fans are really going to enjoy her on the field. She's a great personality and a really dynamic athlete. She will be one to watch in 2026."

Williams rounds out this year’s signings as a pitcher also from Cape Coral who played varsity for three years at North Fort Myers High School with career stats including an ERA of 2.67 over 316 strikeouts plus hitting .433; Williams was ranked No. 22 among pitchers nationwide by Line Drive Softball.

"Laurin and Kaliyah connected early in the recruiting process and I think they are a match made in heaven," Sewell said."Kaliyah has all the pitches and can command both sides of the plate.What I love about her is can she get strikeouts? Yes.But she's not obsessed with them.She can pitch into our defense as well and keep the game moving and her pitch count down keeping her in the game for longer.Kaliyah comes from one of the top clubs in the country and her pitching coach – Aleshia Ocasio – has prepared her unbelievably wellto pitch at this level."

Fans can follow updates about SIU softball through social media channels including Twitter (@SIU_Softball), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiSoftball), Instagram (@SIU_Softball), or via their mobile app available through app stores.