Dixie State softball head coach Randy Simkins has announced the signings of five student-athletes for the 2022-23 season in Brooklyn Dowdle, Sauren Garton, Lakaiya-Braessia Kahahawai-Kekona, Danyelle Leone and Tanya Windle. 
 
"Our 2022 signing class has the chance to be special for Trailblazer softball," Simkins said. "They are all great people, very good students, extremely talented and have an unmatched work ethic. The 2022 recruiting class has competed at a high level while playing on some of the top club teams in the west. Each brings a special skill set that will help Trailblazer softball compete for a conference championship yearly. It will be a challenging journey for them because our graduating seniors have experienced tremendous success and have left a winning legacy but we have trust and belief that our 2022 class will continue that legacy."
 
Brooklyn Dowdle | IF | La Quinta, CA. | Palm Desert HS | SoCal Choppers Fausett
Dowdle, an infielder from La Quinta, Calif. was a four-year starter at Palm Desert HS, was named a three-time team MVP. She was a two-time First Team All-Desert Empire League player and was named the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year in the Desert Empire League. 
 
"Dowdle is a very athletic middle infielder," Simkins said. "She also has the speed and range to allow her to be a very solid outfielder.  She has very good hands, a strong arm and can play multiple positions defensively.  Her Choppers team regularly competes against some of the best teams in the country and she has shown success against top level pitching."
Sauren Garton | P | Pendleton, OR. | Pendleton HS | Power Fastpitch
Garton, a pitcher from Pendleton, Ore. was a four year starter at Pendleton High School. She was named to the All-Intermountain Conference team twice and was the 2021 Co-Pitcher of the Year in the Intermountain Conference.  She was also named to the Oregon 5A All State second team.  In addition to her softball accolades, she was recognized as an All-Intermountain Conference Team volleyball player. 
 
"Garton is a special talent who will come in and compete for innings right away with our pitching staff," Simkins said. "She has put up big strikeout numbers with her high school and travel ball teams. She's also a very good hitter who will add depth to our lineup offensively. We're excited to see her compete at the D1 level."

Lakaiya-Braessia Kahahawai-Kekona | IF |  Wailuku, HI. | H.P. Baldwin HS | Maui Titans
Kahahawai-Kekona, a shortstop from Wailuku, Hawaii was a four-year starter at H. P. Baldwin HS.  She was named to the Hawaii All-State second team and to the MIL All Stars D1 first team.
 
"LB is a very smooth infielder who plays the game at a very high level," Simkins said. "She has the ability to make hard plays look easy and she understands the game very well.  She has very good power for her size. Her speed, athleticism and skill set as a hitter will allow her to hit just about anywhere in our lineup. She is our third Maui signee in the last three years and we love what these players bring to our program, both on and off the field."
 

Danyelle Leone | P | Sparks, NV. | Edward C. Reed HS | NorCal Choppers Stone 
Leone, a pitcher from Sparks, Nev is a four year starter at Edward C. Reed High School. She is a two-time NIAA All Region first team pitcher.  In addition, she was selected as the 2021 Northern Nevada 5A Pitcher of the Year. 
 
"Danyelle is a very good pitcher, whose combination of spin, movement and velocity has allowed to her be successful against top level hitters," Simkins said. "She shows great poise and confidence on the mound and wants the ball in the big games. Danyelle, like Sauren, is a pitcher who can hit and has been an important part of the lineup for both her high school and travel teams.  We're excited for the depth she will add to our pitching staff and our team."
 
Tanya Windle | OF | Glendale, AZ. | Cactus HS | Oro Valley Suncats Judge
Windle, an outfielder from Glendale, Ariz., is a four-year starter at Cactus High School. She has earned 4A all-conference recognition twice. She was also named Extra Innings National High School Player of the Week in March of 2019.
 
"Tanya is a special athlete that can really play," Simkins said. "She will push everyone around her to be better by how hard she plays and works.  She has proven she can hit elite pitching and that will make our lineup stronger.  With two outfielders graduating at the end of the 2021 season, she will add needed depth to our outfield group.  We can't wait to see what she brings to our team."