SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara softball announced the signings of six prep players from throughout California for the 2025 recruiting class.
Broncos head coach
Gina Carbonatto and her staff inked pitchers Sophia Cardinale (Salinas, Calif.) and Ellison Schroeder (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), outfielder Claire Krotine (Folsom, Calif.) and a trio of versatile players in Cienna Kowaleski (Long Beach, Calif.), Mackenzie Olshenske (San Diego) and Sofia Zavarella (Coto de Caza, Calif.).
"This 2025 recruiting class comes to us from up and down the California coast," said Carbonatto. "Led by two stellar Northern California pitchers, one dynamic NorCal outfielder and three versatile Southern California position players, we are excited to see the impact they have on the program."
Sophia Cardinale | RHP | 5-5 | Salinas, Calif. | Palma High School
Cardinale dominated the high school ranks at Notre Dame High School before transferring to Palma High, both in Salinas, California, for her senior season. The right-handed hurler has a combined 25-10 record with a 1.06 ERA over three varsity seasons.
As a sophomore, Cardinale posted a 15-3 record with a sub-1.00 ERA (0.96) striking out 169 batters over 139 innings and holding the opponents to a .190 batting average. She was named First Team All-County and All-League in Monterey County and helped the team to a CCS Softball Division I Championship and a second place finish at the CIF NorCal Division II Championship.
Last spring, as junior, she was 10-5 with a still miniscule 1.12 ERA fanning 141 hitters over 106 1/3 innings with a .138 opposing batting average.
"I chose Santa Clara because when I walked on the campus for the first time, it felt like family," said Cardinale. "Everyone was welcoming and kind, and it felt like the kind of environment I see myself thriving in. When I walked off that campus, I told myself Santa Clara was the perfect fit for me."
The last two seasons, Cardinale played for the Cal Nuggets Woods travel team.
Carbonatto on Cardinale: "Soph is a competitor in the circle. She attacks both righty and lefty hitters in all quadrants of the zone, she will pair well with the other pitchers on our staff."
Cienna Kowaleski | 1B | 5-7 | Long Beach, Calif. | Los Alamitos High School
Kowaleski is the third signee in as many seasons from Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, California, following current Bronco sophomore
Taryn Clements and freshman Cari Ferguson.
The left-handed hitting Kowaleski batted .536 last spring and was named to the CalHiSports.com All-State Team and First Team Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team. She helped lead the Griffin's to an undefeated Sunset League Championship and their third straight league title.
"Reach for the stars so if you fall, you land on the clouds," said Kowaleski of her inspiration to aim high by signing with the Broncos.
In 2022, Kowaleski was rated a Top 100 prospect in the nation for the class of 2025 by Extra Innings Softball.
Carbonatto on Kowaleski: "Cienna plays for one of the best high school softball programs in California. We look forward to the impact a power-hitting first baseman will bring to us."
Claire Krotine | OF/UTL | 5-5 | Folsom, Calif. | St. Francis High School
Krotine has a career slash line of .406/.442/.541 in 72 varsity games over her three seasons at St. Francis High in Sacramento, California. In 2024, she led the Delta League with a .467 batting average and finished third in steals (9) and runs scored (28) en route to being named All-Delta League Most Valuable Player, Second Team Sacramento Bee All-Metro, CalHiSports All-State in northern California and Second Team Maxpreps All-Sac-Joaquin Section.
"I chose Santa Clara because of the outstanding academic opportunities, the energetic and supportive softball coaches and players, as well as the beautiful campus," said Krotine.
At the travel ball level, Krotine finished the 2024 summer season with a .404 batting average with 44 hits and 30 runs scored with Preps Academy 16U National Lopez.
She was also part of the Dirt Dogs Fall Showcase Champions with the Firecrackers Leles 18 Gold squad.
Carbonatto on Krotine: "Claire adds more speed and depth to our already fast outfield. She has an efficient lefty swing, which fits well into our offensive mix."
Mackenzie Olshenske | SS/UTL | 5-4 | San Diego | Eastlake High School
Olshenske, a captain at Eastlake High, was named First Team All-CIF – San Diego section and First Team All-Metro – Mesa League in 2024 after hitting a robust .450 with a 1.250 OPS. She collected 45 hits, nearly half (22) of which went for extra bases and drove in 21 runs to help the team to a second place finish at the Division II classification.
"I chose Santa Clara because it offers a unique blend of academic excellence, strong community values, and opportunities for personal growth in the heart of Silicon Valley, making it the perfect place for me to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact," said Olshenske.
Olshenske posted a .429 and .515 batting average the last two seasons on the travel ball circuit with a combined 78 hits, including 35 extra base hits and 61 RBIs.
Carbonatto on Olshenske: "Kenzie is a hard-nosed infielder who always finds herself on base and getting dirty on defense. She is very dynamic and can play many defensive positions."
Ellison Schroeder | RHP | 5-10 | El Dorado Hills, Calif. | Oak Ridge High School
A two-time First Team All-Sierra Foothill League (SFL) pitcher in 2023 and 2024, Schroeder led Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills, California to the SFL Division I Section Championships in both seasons and a second place finish at the Northern California State Championship last spring.
"I chose Santa Clara because of the perfect balance between softball and academics," said Schroeder. "At Santa Clara, I have all the resources I need to reach my full potential as an athlete while also earning a degree that is going to set me up very well for my life after softball. With goals of working in a Major League Baseball front office someday, Santa Clara is the best place to help me get there. Being close to home was also super important to me so I'm excited to be somewhere that my family can watch me play often!"
The 5-foot-10 hurler has a 21-10 record with a 2.16 ERA over three varsity seasons, striking out 245 batters over 253 innings. She has 14 complete games in 21 starts and has held opponents to a .218 batting average.
Last spring during her junior campaign, Schroeder tossed a no-hitter.
Schroeder played travel ball for LTG 18U Henderson and helped the team to a 25
th ranking nationally in 2023.
Carbonatto on Schroeder: "Ellison is the hardest throwing pitcher we have, which immediately makes her a great asset to our staff and her upside is huge."
Sofia Zavarella | OF/1B | 5-7 | Coto de Caza, Calif. | Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Zavarella is a three-time All-Trinity League selection at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. She was the Trinity League Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 and earned First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention All-League honors during her three varsity seasons.
"I chose Santa Clara because it has an excellent academic and softball program," said Zavarella. "The campus is so beautiful and when I stepped foot, I knew it was the place for me. The environment and people are so welcoming that it truly feels like home."
Playing for the Premier 18u and OC Batbusters travel teams the last couple of years, Zavarella was named to several first team All-Tournament squads.
Carbonatto on Zavarella: "Sofia runs well and has pop in her bat. We believe Sofia will cover much of our outfield gaps on defense, whilst hitting it in the gaps on offense which will be fun to see."
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