NEW YORK – Columbia softball head coach Jennifer Teague officially introduced four newcomers to the 2026 Columbia softball roster on Wednesday. The coast-to-coast recruiting class features a player from New Jersey, one from Texas, and two from California.
"This is such an exciting time for our program," Teague said. "Being able to add this level of talent to an already stacked team is truly thrilling. We've added depth across the board — pitching, outfield, and infield — and I believe we're setting ourselves up for another serious run at a championship."
Details on this season's incoming class are below. Fans can access the complete Columbia softball roster by clicking this link
Columbia Softball Class of 2029
MADELINE LAWSON – RHP/INF – 5'11" – CC – PLEASANT GROVE – R/R – FY – RANCHO MURIETA, CALIF.
PRIOR TO COLUMBIA
A four-year pitcher and corner infielder for coach Becca Collom at Pleasant Grove High School … the highly decorated athlete was named A Cal State First Team honoree her final three years, she was the NorCal Pitcher of the Year her sophomore year and was a three time First Team All-Delta League honoree … She led her team to Delta League Conference Championships her final three seasons - the first team in Pleasant Grove history to three-peat … in the circle she struck out 645 batters over her four year career, going 35-9 … she held opponents to a .180 batting average in 484.1 innings pitched … At the plate, she boasts a career batting average of .382 … her senior year she hit .478 (33-for-69) with 11 doubles, four home runs and 26 RBI … played club softball with incoming teammate Onna Swanigan on the LTG Lions.
PERSONAL
Enjoys hiking, boating, and camping … plans on majoring in biology … favorite sports memory was hitting a walkoff double to help her club team advance to bracket play at the Arizona Last Blast.
ALEXIA RUIZ – CATCHER – 5'4" – CC – MAYDE CREEK – R/R – FY – KATY, TEXAS
PRIOR TO COLUMBIA
A seven-time letter winner for Mayde Creek, lettering all four years in softball and three in volleyball … on the diamond for the Rams she was a four-time First Team All-District honoree … her senior year she was unanimously selected as the District Offensive Player of the Year … for her career she hit .525 with 23 home runs and 85 RBI … in her senior campaign she hit .449 with 10 of her 22 hits going for extra bases … was named a top-75 recruit for the 2025 class by Extra Innings Softball.
PERSONAL
Enjoys competing in sand volleyball and flag football … is a huge gamer, loves playing video games and intense board games … also enjoys reading, painting and coloring … favorite sports memory was being named the Offensive Player of the Year … the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted her father Alex in the 1996 MLB Draft … has over 140 hours of combined community service … plans on majoring in psychology on a pre-med track.
BRIANNA SANTANGELO – OUTFIELD – 5'7" – CC – RED BANK CATHOLIC – R/R – FY – RED BANK, N.J.
PRIOR TO COLUMBIA
A four-time letter winner in softball, three for Red Bank Catholic and head coach Tony Flego … Led her squad to three consecutive division championships, her final two years she helped the Caseys go 41-10 overall and 25-1 in league play … A two-time all-division honoree she was named a Third Team All-State Non-Public her senior year … over her final two years playing for Red Bank she hit .366 (45-for-123) with 40 runs scored, 29 RBI, clubbing 15 doubles and seven home runs … in her senior campaign 15 of her 26 hits went for extra bases … recorded her 100th career hit as a prep on May 12, 2025.
PERSONAL
Lists working out, lifting weights, practicing and cooking as her hobbies … plans on majoring in economics and political science … says her favorite sports memory was winning the Shore Conference Championship … father Lou played college baseball at Seton Hall and Clemson and was drafted in the fourth round by the Houston Astros in 2004.
ONNA SWANIGAN – MIDDLE INFIELD – 5'4" – CC – COSUMNES OAKS – R/R – FY – ELK GROVE, CALIF.
PRIOR TO COLUMBIA
A four-time letter winner for head coach Celina Avina and the Wolfpack … named the Team MVP in 2025 she was named to the 2025 Sacramento Optimist All-Star team … a two-time all league honoree she earned first team honors her senior year … in four seasons she hit .336 (76-for-226) with 63 runs scored, clubbing 15 doubles, 11 triples and a home run … her senior year she led the team in nearly every hitting category, boasting a .404 batting average and a .475 on base percentage … played club ball with incoming teammate Mads Lawson for LTG Lions Softball.
PERSONAL
Hobbies include swimming, pickleball and going to the beach … says her favorite sports memory was her last tournament run with her LTG team … planning on majoring in computer science and financial economics … Father OJ played football at UC Davis.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
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