Softball signs 12 to 2026 recruiting class

(Rochester Hills, MI) - Head Coach Erin Benschoter and her coaching staff would like to welcome the 12 signees of their 2026 recruiting class. The class includes eight newcomers and four collegiate transfers. 

Alaina Deruiter - Macomb Dakota High School - Outfield - Macomb, MI 

As a sophomore, Alaina was a big part of a very good Dakota team that won 32 games, stepping up in many ways for the Cougars all season long. 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Alaina's signing: "Alaina was our first commit for this class, and we were so fortunate to get her. What attracted us to Alaina was her 'no fear' mentality. She is the type of kid who will run through a fence for a ball and has the ball hawk mindset in the outfield. Alaina brings tremendous speed in the outfield that can cover all of the gaps, a consistent bat, and an arm that can gun runners down on the base paths from anywhere on the field. She is a great kid who comes from a great family, and we can't wait to see her in an RCU jersey."

Taylor Capozzo - Armada High School - Pitcher/First Base - Richmond, MI 

Taylor is a three-time all-BWAC award winner, a three-time all-district award winner, and is in the MHSAA record book numerous times. 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Taylor's signing: "We were fortunate enough to land Taylor in this class with the skill set that she brings. Taylor is a crafty pitcher who has the ability to get hitters out in a multitude of ways. Offensively, Taylor has one of the most violent swings we have ever seen, and when she makes contact, the ball just flies off the bat. We have been fortunate enough to watch Taylor play a lot of softball, and every time she impresses us. Taylor is a quiet kid, but when she steps on the field, her presence is known. We are so excited to have her and her family be a part of the Warrior family. 

Annabell Preston - Clinton High School - Outfield/Middle Infield - Clinton, MI

Annabell has had a very decorated high school career, being a two-time LCAA, two-time all-district, all-region as a junior, and a two-time district champ. 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Anabell's signing: "When we first saw Annabell, we knew she was a kid we wanted to be a part of our program. Annabell is the definition of a 'gritty player' who can do anything you ask her to do. She is a very skilled slapper who can lay down a bunt or power slap through the infield, and once she gets on base, it's an automatic stolen base. Annabell can cover a ton of ground in the outfield and step in and play middle infield, if need be. Annabell is a tremendous person who comes from a great family, and we are so excited to have them be a part of the RCU family."

Kennady Kroll - Airport High School - Third Base - Carleton, MI 

As a junior, Kennady was named all-Huron League and all-district as a third baseman. Kennady was a big contributor on her Airport team that made it to the state semi-finals in 2025. 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Kennady's signing: "Kennady is a kid that is all softball all the time. She brings a big bat to the lineup that hits to all parts of the field. Defensively, she is as lock-down as you can be at third base. We watched her play one game and knew she had to be a Warrior. Her best attribute is her knowledge of the game, and knowing we can ask her to do multiple things is a great bonus. Kennady is such a great kid who comes from a great family and is always fun to be around. We are very fortunate that she is a Warrior!"

Charlie Lindstrom - Salem High School - Utility - Canton, MI 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Charlie's signing: "Charlie is a super athletic player who can make a difference anywhere in the outfield or at first base. She brings a great swing from the left side that uses all parts of the field and has some major pop in the bat. Watching Charlie play this past summer, we were impressed with her consistency and ability to make plays. Charlie can make a big difference for us on the base paths with great speed and a tremendous understanding of the game. Charlie is such a great kid, and we are so excited to have her in a Warrior jersey. 

Elexis Wauthier - F.J. Brennan Catholic High School - Windsor, ON - Pitcher/First Base 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Elexis' signing: "Elexis is a gamer pitcher that knows how to turn it on when she steps on the mound. She is a very skilled pitcher who has the ability to get hitters out multiple ways, whether it's with spin or power. We are very fortunate to have Elexis for the next four year,s and we are super excited to see her develop. Elexis is a kid who is a student of the game and always wants to learn more. We are so excited to see Elexis in an RCU jersey. 

Emma Bambrick - Richmond High School - Middle Infield/Utility

Emma was all-BWAC as a junior and was a major contributor to Richmond's state championship title in 2025. 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Emma's signing:"Emma is the battery we were looking for in this class. She is a kid who is constantly communicating, keeping a great attitude ,and always celebrating her teammates. Emma brings a ton of range to the middle infield and can even step behind the plate to catch or to the mound to pitch. Emma will fit right in our order with her consistent bat and speed on the base paths. Emma is such a tremendous kid who always has the best positive attitude, and she will fit right in this program."

Kirsten McBride - Everest Collegiate High School - First Base

As a junior, Kirsten was first team all-Catholic League and was selected as the team MVP

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Kirsten's signing: "The first time we saw Kirsten play, we fell in love with her swing and how effortlessly she hits the ball with insane power. Anytime she steps to the plate, she has a chance to change the game with one swing of the bat. Defensively, she has some of the best footwork and glove work we have seen from a first baseman. Kirsten is a true competitor who is her biggest critic, and we couldn't be more excited that she is a Warrior. Kirsten comes from a great family and is such a great kid to be around."

Jaden Benschoter - Aquinas College - Outfield (Grad Student) - Tecumseh, MI 

In high school, Jaden was a two-time all-SEC, two-time all-district, and two-time all-region. Jaden is a grad transfer from Aquinas College with one year of eligibility left. Jaden was a key contributor in Aquinas' run to the WHAC tournament last year, having the second-highest batting average at .368 on the team, and hitting .378 in conference play.

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Jaden's signing: "Jaden had a very successful career at Aquinas, and we are very fortunate to have her here at RCU for one final year. Jaden brings a very consistent bat that hits to all areas of the field and will help the heart of our lineup. She can cover a ton of ground in the outfield and can throw runners out from anywhere on the field. Jaden understands the game with the best of them! We're so excited to have Jaden in an RCU jersey."

Jordyn Emery - Schoolcraft College - Utility (Junior)

In high school, Jordyn played a big part in Trenton's District Championships in (2022, 2023), Regional Champs in (2022,2023), and State Finalists (2022)

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Jordyn's signing: "Jordyn is a very dynamic player that can play anywhere on the field, brings a ton of speed, and a crafty bat from the left side of the plate. Jordyn is your true utility player who gives us the ability to plug and play and not miss a beat anywhere on the field. Jordyn will be joining us from Schoolcraft College and will have two years of eligibility left. Jordyn is such an incredible kid, and we are so excited to have her and her family be a part of the Warrior family." 

Kamryn Kasak - Oakland Community College - Utility (Junior) - Chesterfield, MI 

High school: 4-year all-district and all-conference Shortstop, 3-year all-regional Shortstop, on the 2023 top Michigan Infielders list from Scorebook Live, team rookie of the year in freshman year 2021, and team MVP for 2 consecutive years, 2023 and 202,4 Junior and Senior years. Kam was also an academic all-state as a senior. Helped lead her team to back-to-back district titles in 2021 and 2022.

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Kamryn's signing: "Kam is a very versatile softball player who can play middle infield, third base, first base, and even some outfield. We were fortunate enough to see Kam play when we played Oakland Community College this past fall, and we were very impressed with what we saw. She is a leader on the field and really stands out with her constant communication. Kam brings a very consistent bat and has the ability to affect the game on the base paths, helping steal runs offensively. Kam is such a great kid and a joy to be around. We can't wait to have her here next fall."

Kailey Viviano - Macomb Community College - Middle Infield (Junior) - Fraser, MI 

Last year, as a freshman at Macomb Community College, Kailey led the team in home runs with 13 and was their starting shortstop, and is the sister of one of our current players, Angelina Viviano. 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Kailey's signing: "We were able to see Kailey play when we played Macomb in the fall, and she most definitely stood out. She is bringing in a massive bat to the heart of our lineup and has one of the most consistent gloves in the infield. She is a true gamer and always comes through when the team needs her most. We are very fortunate to have Kailey for two years, and we are very excited to have her be a part of the RCU family."

Jobe Benschoter - Siena Heights University - Student Assistant (Junior)

Coach Benschoter had this to say about Jobe's signing: "Jobe has decided to attend RCU after attending Siena Heights, where he participated on the varsity football team. With Siena Heights closing down, we are very excited to welcome him to RCU as our student assistant in our softball program. Jobe will help us with our day-to-day functions such as practice, scouting, game planning, and recruiting. We are so excited to have Jobe be a part of the RCU Softball family." 

Coach Benschoter had this to say about the class as a whole: "This is a very special class coming in next year. When we were trying to figure out who and what to bring in, we knew we had to make sure we got kids with some college experience, speed, and pure hitters, and I feel we accomplished all of that with this class. We wanted kids who wanted to compete, were good people with good families, and who aligned with our university and program values. We wanted to make sure we complement what we have on our roster currently, and we feel that this class, combined with our current roster, is the team to really help put RCU Softball on the map. We want to compete at the highest level, compete for WHAC championships, and we feel this class is a big step in the right direction to make that happen. I want to thank Coach Zach, Coach Scott, and Coach Jeff for all their help in making this class possible, and we are so excited to welcome all of these ladies and their families to the RCU Softball family."