Hays brings in best class yet on National Signing Day

Grand Canyon softball announced a dynamic signing class of eight players set to join the Lopes in the fall of 2026.

Lopes fifth-year head coach Shanon Hays brings in his next star-studded class, building on his previous success with his signing classes, development and postseason accomplishments at Grand Canyon. In four years at the helm of GCU, Hays has won four WAC Tournament titles and won four games in the NCAA Tournament during that span.

"I know I said this last year, but this is the best class we have brought in since I've been here," Hays said. "The thing that sticks out with this group is they are all great fits within our program. I see a group of four-year impact players that are super talented offensively and defensively. We are excited to develop that talent to even another level."

The group includes two pitchers, two infielders, two outfielders and two utility players coming from six states and Canada.

ALEXA YARGER
Infielder - Tucson, Ariz. - Desert Christian H.S.

" 2026 Yarger

Yarger is a player we have been on for three years," Hays said. "She is a local product that plays with a great travel team in the Arizona Rising, and we are thrilled to keep her in-state at Grand Canyon. 'Yargie' is a great right-handed hitter and an elite defender. I believe she is one of the best third-base prospects in the country."

Yarger is an all-region caliber player at softball and volleyball at Desert Christian High School. Through her junior season, Yarger holds a .695 batting average with 34 home runs, 98 hits and 124 RBI.

"I chose GCU because of the great team culture and the coaching staff," Yarger said. "To be able to play this close to home is great as well."

MIA HAMMINGTON
Outfielder - Maple Valley, Wash. - Tahoma H.S.

2026 Hammington

"'Mia provides incredible speed and power," Hays said. "She is one of the big reasons I think we are bringing one of the fastest classes in the entire country. She comes from the same travel ball team as freshman Lilly Camp and our other signee Cece Brown — the Washington Ladyhawks. Mia can hit for power or slap, and will have the opportunity to fill openings in the outfield when she gets to campus."

As Hammington enters her her senior year at Tahoma High School in Washington, she looks to follow up sophomore and junior seasons when she hit over .500 each year. Hammington holds the school record in single-season triples, walks and runs. Her 31 stolen bases as a junior ranked second in school history.

"I chose GCU because of the environment the coaches present and the athletes bring," Hammington said. "I chose GCU because of the faith my coaches have in me and the level I am able to play at. If it weren't for athletics, I could still have seen myself going to GCU."

SASHA KENNEDY
Utility - Centennial, Colo. - Grandview H.S.

2026 Kennedy

"Sasha's speed is certainly what stands out about her," Hays said. "I think she has Savannah Kirk-level speed and hitting from the left side is a bonus, because she can hit for power and slap. She is a great athlete and should be an instant-impact piece, especially on the base paths."

Kennedy, a utility player from Centennial, Colorado, just wrapped her high school career at Grandview, leaving a legacy marked all over the record books. She holds her school record in stolen bases, runs, batting average and triples. The two-time all state softball player has also been a top state finisher in hurdles events in track and field.

"I chose GCU for a couple reasons," Kennedy said. "It was important to me to join a faith-based school, and this team and coaching staff is incredible."

AVERY LAIRD
Pitcher - Tuttle, Okla. - Tuttle H.S.

Laird 25' Class

"Avery is a player that Hunter and I recruited hard for a while," Hays said. "She went to the same high school as Oakley Vickers, so we have seen her play a lot. She is a drop ball, changeup pitcher that we are excited to add to our rotation in a year. Continuing the Oklahoma pipeline with Avery is a great thing as well."

Avery, a right-handed pitcher from Tuttle, Oklahoma and Tuttle High School, had an outstanding prep career. She struck out 496 batters over 460 innings pitched in her four seasons on the team, winning three Oklahoma state super regionals and reaching back-to-back state semifinals to finish her high school career.

"I chose GCU because I felt as if I could call it a second home," Laird said. "I love the campus, people, and coaches."

AVA BARRIOS
Pitcher - San Diego, Calif. - Christian H.S.

2026 Barrios

"Ava has a great arm with high velocity," Hays said. "Going to a faith-based school was important to her, and we were a great fit for her on the West Coast. Ava looks like a shortstop, but once you see the ball jump out of her hand you quickly realize she is a dangerous pitcher. We got her late in the process and despite not planning on adding another pitcher for 2026, we really could not turn down such a great opportunity."

Barrios led Christian High School in San Diego from D-3 to an open D-1 CIF team in her time with the Patriots. In her first three years, she struck out 369 batters over 317 innings pitched with a 3.07 ERA. She made the 2024 California Interscholastic Federation Eastern League first team and won Pitcher of the Year.

"I chose GCU because it is a top-tier softball program in the country," Barrios said. "The faith-based aspects of the school and program, along with the amazing coaching staff, really sold the deal for me."

CECE BROWN
Infielder - Maple Ridge, B.C., Canada - Thomas Haney Secondary School

2026 Brown

"Cece is the top hitter from 18U Canadian National team," Hays said. "She is a player that adds instant impact from the left side of the plate with her power, and she is a versatile player that is best at the corner infield spots. We think she is one of the best pure hitters in the class."

Brown, who attended Thomas Haney Secondary School, only played volleyball there. She spent the rest of her free time traveling the country with the Washington Ladyhawks out of Washington state with future GCU teammates Mia Hammington and Lilly Camp. She also plays at the international level with the Canadian national team's 18U club, as one of the best players on that roster.

"I chose GCU because I really like the coaching staff and their coaching philosophy, and the campus is beautiful," Brown said.

MCKENNA GRIFFIN
Outfielder - Conroe, Texas - Conroe H.S.

2026 Griffin

"McKenna is simply one of the most talented players in the country," Hays said. "She is a dynamic threat on both sides of the ball: She possesses great speed in the outfield and has a cannon of an arm. Offensively, she is an impact bat from the left side and is also dangerous on the base paths."

Griffin, a Houston-area native out of Conroe High School, grew up playing softball, basketball and volleyball and also ran track and field. She is a consistent all-district softball player and was her team's MVP in track and field.

"I chose GCU because I fell in love with everything about GCU on my visit," Griffin said.

MORGAN BRAGG
Utility - Chandler, Ariz. - Basha H.S.

BRAGG Class of '25

"Morgan was a late, yet massive addition and conclusion to this class," Hays said. "She is a player who committed early to an SEC program and decommitted when there was a coaching change. When the opportunity arose to get her, we could not pass it up. She is a premier hitter that can and will be foundational piece of our program moving forward. She puts the cherry on the top of a great recruiting class."

Bragg, a catcher and first baseman from Basha High School in Chandler committed just days before National Signing Day, cementing GCU as a top-tier recruiting class around the country. Bragg is a former teammate of GCU's newest ace, Natalie Fritz, at Basha. She looks up to Fritz and will spend two seasons at Grand Canyon with her. Bragg is a two-time 6A Premier Region first-team player alongside many other state and national awards. She won the 2023 state title with Basha.

"I chose GCU because I loved the coaches and players, and the campus feels like home.," Bragg said.

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