MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State softball head coach Lori Meyer has announced that seven student-athletes will join the Maverick softball team next fall.

All signings and transfers are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Finley Anderson, Ireland Broderick, Carly Kimmes, Ysabel Lerma, Ryanne Mellum, Hannah Tong and Jordan Schwantz have all signed a National Letter of Intent.

"We are thrilled to bring in seven outstanding young women in the 2024-25 recruiting class," Meyer said. "They each have their own unique ability and personality, but more importantly, they each embrace the vision for Maverick softball and exemplify the NCAA term student-athlete."

An outfielder from Aurora, Ill., Finley Anderson earned all-conference and All-State honors as a junior at Oswego East High School.

"We're excited to welcome Finley and the Andersons to the Maverick family," Meyer said. "In the outfield Finley has a strong arm, good range and is a great communicator. At the plate Finley is strong and powerful.

"Her experience playing with the Chicago Wildcats against some of the nation's premier organizations has allowed her to develop a high game IQ and experience that will help prepare her for competition at DII level."

Finley is the daughter of Kristen and Jeremy Anderson. Her father played club hockey at Montana State and her mother was the dance captain at Purdue. She intends to major in occupational therapy.
An outfielder from Clive, Iowa, Ireland Broderick is a three-year letterwinner and all-conference honoree with the Valley High School softball team. She has also received second team all-district and second team All-State honors during her sophomore season.

"We're excited to welcome Ireland and the Brodericks to the Maverick family," Meyer said. "Ireland's speed and agility will contribute to the number of outs our outfield is able to create. She has good barrel control from the left side of the box that allows her to find a way to get on base and can use her speed to wreak havoc on defenses.

"Her experiences playing for Iowa Class 5A power West Des Moines Valley as well as the Iowa Slammers has created a strong foundation that she will be able to continue to build on at the next level."
Along with her success on the field, she has also received academic honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Ireland is the daughter of Emily and Mike Broderick. She intends to major in sports psychology. 

A middle infielder from Hampton, Minn., Carly Kimmes has competed in softball, volleyball and women's basketball at Randolph High School. As a middle infielder, Kimmes has received three all-conference, three all-section and three gold glove honors. She also claimed two All-State Second Team honors as a freshman and sophomore, to go along with All-State First Team honors as a junior.

"We're excited to welcome Carly and her family to the Maverick family," Meyer said. "Carly is a fun athlete to follow because her passion for the game is easily seen by everyone watching.  She is relentless in the box and battles each pitch. Carly has great gap-to-gap power with speed to take extra bases. Defensively, Carly is fluid and looks effortless on the diamond."

Carly is the daughter of Jeanine and Andy Kimmes. She intends to major in aviation management. 

An infielder from Muscatine, Iowa, Ysabel Lerma earned All-State Second Team honors as a member of the Muscatine High School softball team. Lerma received all-conference, all-metro and all-district honors during her sophomore season as well.

"We're excited to welcome Ysabel and her family to the Maverick family," Meyer said. "Ysabel is a natural leader who can play across the infield due to her quick first step to the ball and ability to cover ground efficiently. She can hit for power and can create havoc on the base path.  Ysabel's athleticism is beyond spectacular to watch."

As a junior Lerma received all-conference honorable mention as well. Ysabel is the daughter of Erika Rhodes and Oscar Lerman and she intends to major in psychology.

A catcher from Coon Rapids, Minn., Ryanne Mellum also played as a corner infielder for Coon Rapids High School. She has received three all-conference honors and was named the team's MVP and captain during her junior season.

"We're excited to welcome Ryanne and her family to the Maverick family," Meyer said. "Ryanne is a solid quarterback behind the plate and fearless on the corners. Her presence in the box is impressive and will add power to our lineup. Ryanne brings infectious enthusiasm to the game and her teammates."

Ryanne is the daughter of Cindy and Dan Mellum. She is a member of the National Honor Society and intends to major in business.

A pitcher from Stacy, Minn., Hannah Tong is a three-time all-conference honoree with the Forest Lake High School softball team. She also received all-section honors as a sophomore and junior, and earned Player of the Week honors from the Star Tribune during her sophomore campaign.

"We're excited to welcome Hannah and the Tongs to the Maverick Family," Meyer said. "Hannah has the capability to be a dominant force on the mound for the Mavericks, provides a solid presence in the circle and will add depth to our pitching staff next year. 

"Hannah also brings a powerful bat to the plate. Through her experiences playing with Forest Lake High School as well as with her club teams, the Midwest Speed and the Minnesota Magic, Hannah was able to face very good competition which will help her transition to the college game."

Tong guided her team to three section championships and was named to the state all-tournament team twice. She also helped her team to a second place finish at the 4A state tournament and a state 4A championship. Hannah is the daughter of Tina and Kevin Tong and she intends to major in exercise science.

An infielder from River Falls, Wis., Jordan Schwantz claimed all-conference honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior as a member of the River Falls High School softball team.

"We are excited to welcome Jordan and her family to the Maverick family," Meyer said. "Jordan has an absolute cannon of an arm combined with smooth hands and great reads on the ball which help her lockdown the middle of the field. Jordan will provide power from the right side of the plate along with a competitiveness that will make her a tough out."

Jordan is the daughter of Cheryl and Jason Schwantz. Her father played baseball at UW-River Falls. She intends to major in business.
 

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Yr.	Hometown/High School
Finley Anderson	OF	Fr.	R/R	Aurora, Ill./Oswego East
Ireland Broderick	OF	Fr.	L/R	West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley
Carly Kimmes	IF	Fr.	R/R	Hampton, Minn./Randolph
Ysabel Lerma	IF	Fr.	R/R	Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine
Ryanne Mellum	C/IF	Fr.	R/R	Coon Rapids, Minn./Coon Rapids
Hannah Tong	P	Fr.	R/R	Stacy, Minn./Forest Lake
Jordan Schwantz	IF	Fr.	R/R	River Falls, Wis./River Falls