SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara softball program has signed five standout prospects from the West Coast for its 2027 recruiting class. The incoming talent joins a team coming off three straight seasons finishing first or second in the West Coast Conference, which includes a 2025 WCC championship title.
Santa Clara head coach
Gina Carbonatto and her staff signed outfielder Sofia Sabogal-Ayabarreno (Torrance, Calif.), infielder Kamille Beals (San Jose, Calif.), pitcher Ashlynne Franssen (Milwaukie, Ore.), first baseman/outfielder Sophie Giles (San Jose, Calif.) and catcher Caden Johnson (Temecula, Calif.).
Four players hail from California, split evenly between local prospects and Southern California natives, while the fifth comes from Oregon.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome our 2027 signing class to Santa Clara University. This is a talented, versatile group of student-athletes who bring a combination of athleticism, power, competitiveness, and leadership that will make an immediate impact on our program," said Carbonatto. "Each of these young women has a unique skill set, but what stands out most is their passion for the game, their understanding of what it takes to compete, and the character they will bring to our culture. What makes this class so exciting is the balance of talent, versatility, and leadership across the board. These five young women are going to complement our current team incredibly well, elevate the competitive environment, and help us continue building something special at Santa Clara. We cannot wait to get them on campus and officially welcome them to the Bronco Crew!"
Sofia Sabogal-Ayabarreno | OF | 5-8 | R/R | Torrance, Calif. | South High School
Sabogal-Ayabarreno, an outfielder, has a career slash line of .379/.427/.561 across three varsity seasons at South High School in Torrance, California where she has twice been named First Team All-Bay League.
"I chose Santa Clara because of its strong academics, supportive community, and the opportunity to compete at the Division I level while growing both as a student and an athlete," said Ayabarreno.
Last season, Sabogal-Ayabarreno slashed .446/.484/.602, all career highs.
The two-sport athlete played soccer her freshman and sophomore seasons tallying seven goals and 11 assists.
Carbonatto on Ayabarreno: "Sofia comes to us from Southern California and brings an exciting combination of athleticism, knowledge, and arm strength to our outfield. Having transitioned from catching to the outfield, she brings a catcher's arm and an exceptional understanding of the game to her new position. She will add a great presence to our outfield group, and we are excited to see her continue to grow and make her mark at Santa Clara."
Kamille Beals | MIF | 5-6 | L/R | San Jose, Calif. | Notre Dame High School
Beals, a middle infielder, is a member of the 18U Philippine National Women's Softball Team, having competed on the global stage at the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Women's Softball World Cup in Dallas, Texas.
A two-time captain at Notre Dame High School in San Jose, California, she boasts a career slash line of .468/.551/.777 in three varsity seasons. Thirty-nine of her 103 career hits have gone for extra bases including 18 doubles, 13 triples and eight home runs.
"I chose Santa Clara because of the community-based environment and the opportunities it has for me to grow as a player and person," said Beals.
Beals has been twice named First Team All-West Bay Athletic League and last season she was league MVP, garnering the Peninsula Athletic League All-League recognition.
The San Jose, California native plays for the Cal Nuggets travel team and has also made her mark playing flag football, helping Notre Dame High to a league co-championship this fall. She was twice named the Most Valuable Offensive Player for the Regents.
Carbonatto on Beals: "Kamille is a local talent who embodies so much of what we look for in a Santa Clara recruit. She is fast, dynamic, and a true triple threat from the left side. Her versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways make her a great fit for our program, and we are thrilled she will be representing the Broncos."
Ashlynne Franssen | RHP | 5-9 | R/R | Milwaukie, Ore. | Gladstone High School
Franssen recorded some eye-popping numbers inside the circle for Gladstone High School in Gladstone, Oregon, striking out 766 batters in 371 2/3 innings over three varsity seasons.
The right-handed pitcher fanned 206 batters across 94 2/3 innings during her junior season where she missed half the season and struck out 350 in 155 innings her sophomore season.
"I chose Santa Clara because I want to change the world and this school will get me one step closer to doing just that," said Franssen.
The Milwaukie, Oregon native was twice named Second Team All-State and three times recognized as First Team All-Conference.
On the travel ball circuit, she has 335 strikeouts over 160 1/3 innings in two summers.
In the batter's box, the right-handed hitting Franssen has a career 1.491 OPS to go along with a .432 batting average, slugging for 12 home runs.
Carbonatto on Franssen: "Ashlynne continues our commitment to recruiting outstanding talent from the Pacific Northwest, marking our third PNW recruit in three years. She is a hard-throwing, strikeout-type pitcher who also brings the ability to contribute defensively and offensively. Her combination of skills makes her a unique and exciting addition, and we cannot wait to see her development at Santa Clara."
Sophie Giles | 1B/OF | 5-8 | L/L | San Jose, Calif. | The King's Academy
Giles is a three-sport athlete who also excels in soccer and volleyball receiving All-West Bay Athletic League recognition in all three sports.
The left-handed hitting and throwing Giles plays first base and the outfield was twice named First Team All-West Bay Athletic League helping lead The King's Academy to the Division 1 Central Coast Section Championship in 2025. That same year, California Prep Varsity named her one of the top first baseman in the state.
During her three seasons on the diamond, Giles batted .411 with a .534 on-base and .658 slugging percentages.
"I chose Santa Clara because of its sense of community. At SCU, I am surrounded by people who share similar goals, and who push each other to be their very best and succeed in whatever they pursue," said Giles.
In 2025, the San Jose, California native was named First Team All-WBAL in volleyball and an Honorable Mention All-WBAL in soccer, having played each sport three and four seasons, respectively, at The King's Academy. She was also on the cheerleading squad for three years.
Carbonatto on Giles: "Sophie is an extremely dynamic player who gives us tremendous versatility with her ability to play both the outfield and first base. She runs exceptionally well, has the ability to hit for power, and is a terrific leader for someone her age. We are excited about everything she will bring to our program, both on and off the field."
Caden Johnson | C | 5-8 | R/R | Temecula, Calif. | Linfield Christian School
Johnson is another multi-sport athlete who has garnered First Team All-Ambassador League recognitions in softball, flag football and basketball at Linfield Christian School in Temecula, California.
In softball, Johnson was named first team as a junior and received second team honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons. She's slashed .417/.482/.682 in her three varsity seasons.
On the gridiron, Johnson's been named Offensive Player of the Year twice and the Ambassador Player of the Year once with the senior year awards yet to be announced.
And on the hardwood, she got first team recognitions her freshman and sophomore seasons, in the only two seasons she played.
"I chose Santa Clara because it felt like home from the moment I stepped on campus and I have the opportunity to major in biology while playing softball," said Johnson.
In her travel softball career, Johnson's belted 81 home runs since 2023
Carbonatto on Johnson: "Caden is a power-hitting catcher with a tremendous feel for the game. As a multi-sport athlete, she understands the flow of competition and brings a natural leadership presence behind the plate. She has a strong arm and a special ability to build relationships with her teammates, particularly her pitchers. We are excited about the leadership and stability she will bring to our catching core."
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