News Summary
The Arizona softball program is experiencing significant changes this offseason with several key players transferring out and new talent arriving. Notable departures include pitcher Sydney Somerndike to UCLA and outfielder Zaedi Tagalog to Pacific. In response, Arizona has brought in four new transfer players to enhance the roster, including outfielders Tele Jennings and Addison Duke, as well as infielder Sereniti Trice and pitcher Jenae Berry. The team is now focusing on rebuilding and maintaining competitiveness in collegiate softball amid these roster fluctuations.
Tucson, Arizona – The Arizona softball team is undergoing a significant transformation this offseason, with nine active players and one inactive entering the transfer portal. This movement includes key departures and new commitments that could reshape the program moving forward.
Among the notable students leaving the program are pitcher Sydney Somerndike and outfielder Zaedi Tagalog, both of whom have recently found new schools. Somerndike has committed to UCLA, while Tagalog will be joining Pacific. They leave behind a team that is adjusting to a series of changes on its roster.
Somerndike’s time at Arizona was hampered by injuries, resulting in limited playing time during her three seasons with the team. Her record during the 2025 season reflects this, as she completed only 0.2 innings in two appearances, finishing with an earned run average (ERA) of 21.00. Throughout her career, she tallied a record of 4-2 with a 4.26 ERA over 46 innings pitched. UCLA, facing the departure of two of its top three pitchers to the transfer portal, is looking for immediate pitching reinforcements – a situation that Somerndike hopes to address.
Tagalog, a local Tucson athlete, featured prominently through her role as a pinch runner, making 65 appearances and stepping in as a pinch hitter three times over her two years at Arizona. While her impact on the field was limited in terms of offensive statistics, her speed and defensive skills contributed to team dynamics.
Arizona has also welcomed four new transfer players this offseason: outfielder Tele Jennings from the University of San Diego, infielder Sereniti Trice from Iowa State, outfielder Addison Duke from Ole Miss, and pitcher Jenae Berry from Indiana. Each of these players brings experience and potential that the roster is now banking on as it seeks to recover from notable losses.
Jennings had a mixed season last year, appearing in 36 games with 26 starts and posting a batting average of .203. Trice had a standout debut with Iowa State, leading her team in stolen bases and receiving All-Big 12 Second Team honors. Duke, despite limited opportunities at Ole Miss, managed an impressive .375 batting average in her two starts. Berry comes off a season at Indiana where she posted an 8-6 record with a 4.60 ERA, adding valuable depth to the pitching staff.
Overall, the Wildcats have lost a total of seven players to the transfer portal and four seniors this offseason. The team is now faced with the challenge of filling these gaps with the new talent while ensuring cohesion amongst the remaining squad members.
To mitigate the player attrition, Arizona’s coaching staff secured commitments for four new recruits in November 2025. This brings the current roster size to 16 players, which is smaller than it has been in previous seasons. The team’s greatest need remains the pitching position, particularly following the significant loss of experienced arms.
As Arizona’s softball team navigates through these challenges, the forthcoming season presents an opportunity for the new recruits and existing players to make their mark. The program is eager to rebuild and regain competitiveness in the highly challenging landscape of collegiate softball.
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: Arizona Adds 4 Transfers
- AZ Desert Swarm: Arizona Softball Transfers
- On3: Arizona Adds Talent With Transfers
- Arizona Wildcats: Grace Jenkins Transfer
- Arizona Wildcats: 2026 Roster Additions
- Wikipedia: College Softball
- Google Search: Arizona softball transfer portal
- Google Scholar: Arizona softball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Google News: Arizona softball
