SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The defending West Coast Conference champion Santa Clara softball team have reloaded in the 2026 recruiting class with the signings of six prep standouts from up and down the west coast. 
 
Broncos head coach Gina Carbonatto and her staff signed pitchers Abby Haapala (Sammamish, Wash.) and Kiersten Jara (Salinas, Calif.), an outfielder Peyton Perriott (Los Angeles), a catcher Brooklyn Ringgold (San Diego) and utility players Eleanor Baker (Happy Valley, Ore.) and Annalyssa Cota (Santa Maria, Calif.). 
 
"The 2026 recruiting class is one of our most talented and driven groups yet," said Carbonatto.  "Each athlete brings a unique skill set, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to competing at the highest level.  We're excited to see how this group will continue to elevate our program in the years to come.  I believe this class already bleeds Bronco Red, and that is what I will hang my hat on.  Getting the right people in the program is what we do here.  Go Broncos!"
  
Eleanor Baker | MI/OF | 5-5 | Happy Valley, Ore. | La Salle Catholic College Prep
 
Baker, a two-time All-State First Team selection at La Salle Catholic College Prep in Milwaukie, Oregon was named the Northwest Oregon Conference Player of the Year last spring.  She batted .598 with a .697 on-base percentage, had 30 extra base hits (20 doubles, three triples and seven home runs) and swiped 16 stolen bases during her junior campaign. 
 
"I chose Santa Clara because it gives me the chance to play the game I love at a competitive level while growing as a student, athlete, and person," said Baker.  "When I visited the campus, I immediately felt the strong sense of community.  The coaches genuinely care about our development on and off the field, and I feel so lucky to have this opportunity!"
 
In the class of 2026, Extra Innings Softball named Baker the 33^rd best national extra elite infielder.  And within the west region, the No. 5 infielder and No. 6 hitter. 
 
She batted .520 as a sophomore and .425 as a freshman earning first team All-League honors both seasons
 
Carbonatto on Baker: " Eleanor will add a spark in our lineup — a smooth left-handed hitter with speed to match.  Her talent is versatile and she brings a great level of confidence in every position she plays.  She fits in perfectly to our recruiting philosophy, we're thrilled for her addition to our team."

Annalyssa Cota | MI/OF | 5-4 | Santa Maria, Calif. | St. Joseph High School
 
Cota, a legacy recruit whose father, Gabriel, played baseball at Santa Clara from 1995-97, utilized her speed - 2.73 seconds from home to first and 11.42 seconds around the bases - to lead the Central Coast Athletic Association in stolen bases her sophomore and junior seasons when she was named First Team All-CCAA Mountain League.
 
"I chose Santa Clara because of the great education it will bring me, the close-knit smaller community and school, the opportunity to stay close to family, my religious values, and the incredible softball program that will shape me into a sophisticated, faith-centered person," said Cota. 
 
A three-year varsity player for the three-time defending CCAA Mountain League Champions, Cota topped the league with eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 2025 and finished in the top three with an .821 slugging percentage, a .421 batting average and 30 runs scored. 
 
Cota also starred on the hardwood where she was the 2024-25 team captain and three times named First Team All-League while helping the Knights to a Division 1 CIF runner up finish in 2023-24.  
 
Carbonatto on Cota: "Annalyssa is a dynamic athlete - quick, instinctive, and fearless in the middle infield - that can translate to anywhere on the field.  She plays the game with a natural confidence and edge that runs in the family.  We are excited to add her Bronco blood to our softball family."
 
Abby Haapala | RHP | 5-9 | Sammamish, Wash. | Skyline High School
 
Haapala has racked up 342 strikeouts in 207 2/3 innings over her three varsity seasons at Skyline High in Sammamish, Washington earning First Team All-King County in 2025 and second team recognition in 2024.
 
"I chose Santa Clara because it fit my academic and athletic aspirations," said Haapala. 
 
The right-handed pitcher is the team captain for the Spartans for the upcoming season as they try to defend the King County 4A Fastpitch Championship. 
 
Carbonatto on Haapala: "Abby is a relentless competitor with the poise and deception you want in the circle.  Her leadership and work ethic set her apart — we cannot wait to bring more Pacific Northwest talent to the beautiful Bay Area."

Kiersten Jara | RHP | 5-3 | Salinas, Calif. | Palma High School
 
Jara, a former teammate of current Bronco freshman Sophia Cardinale at Palma High in Salinas, California during the 2025 season, averaged more than two strikeouts per inning, fanning 42 in 19 1/3 innings. 
 
The right-handed hurler played her freshman and sophomore seasons at Notre Dame High where she was named Second Team All-League in the Gabilan Division of the Pacific Coast Athletic League in 2024 and was part of the Division 1 CCS Championship in 2023.
 
"I chose Santa Clara because I love the community and it was my dream school," said Jara.   
 
Playing for the Batbusters Spingola travel team, Jara was ranked first nationally in strikeouts during the fall of 2023. 
 
Carbonatto on Jara: "Kiersten is a NorCal standout — a fierce competitor in the circle and a force at the plate.  Her versatility and competitive nature will make a vital addition to Santa Clara.  We look forward to her joining the pitchers that hit crew!"
 
Peyton Perriott | OF | 5-7 | Los Angeles | Harvard-Westlake School
 
Perriott had a slashline of .351/.471/.859 as a sophomore and was named First Team All-Angeles League helping lead the Wolverines to the league championship.  Thirteen of her 20 hits went for extra bases including seven home runs.
 
"I chose Santa Clara because it offers academic excellence, a welcoming community, and the opportunity to pursue my dream of playing high-level softball," said Perriott.   
 
In 2024, while playing for the Firecrackers travel team, Perriott slugged 11 home runs to go along with a .413 batting average and 1.287 OPS. 
 
Carbonatto on Perriott: "Peyton is a powerful left-handed hitter with the athleticism to match.  She's got a strong arm, never holds back in the outfield, and brings great presence to the field.  Her addition to Santa Clara is huge."
  
Brooklyn Ringgold | C/MI | 5-10 | San Diego | Mater Dei Catholic High School
 
Ringgold plays behind the dish and middle infield for Mater Dei Catholic High (in Chula Vista, California), the 2025 CIF Open Division Champions and Open Division Southern Regional Champions. 
"I chose Santa Clara because of its top business program, beautiful Jesuit campus, and a welcoming environment created by the coaching staff and the team that immediately made me feel at home," said Ringgold.  "Santa Clara is a place where I can thrive academically and athletically.  With all the resources Santa Clara offers, I know it will prepare me for a successful future in the sports industry."
 
Playing for the Breakers Labs Bobby 18U Gold travel team, she batted .431 and .533 in back-to-back seasons. 
 
Ringgold also played on the varsity girl's flag football team serving as a captain in the 2024 and 2025 seasons leading them to the 2024 CIF Championship. 
 
Carbonatto on Ringgold: "Brooklyn is the kind of catcher every coach wants — smart, hardworking, and always in control of the game.  Her leadership behind the plate and relentless work ethic set her apart.  We're excited to get her in Bronco Red and White, she makes good things happen."

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
Softball: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram