Softball | 8/5/2026 10:00:00 AM

(St. George, Utah – Aug. 5, 2026) - Utah Tech softball head coach Randy Simkins announced the signing of three transfer student-athletes in preparation for the 2027 season on Wednesday.

The newest Trailblazer additions include right-handed pitchers Tatyana Cortez (Whittier, Calif. / LaSerna HS / Cerritos College) & Mikayla Simpson (Manteca, Calif. / East Union HS / California Baptist) along with infielder Mya Bartlett (Las Vegas, Nev. / Palo Verde HS / Idaho State).

"We are really excited about these three transfers. They will provide us depth in the circle and in our lineup. They are great young ladies from really good programs and will be great additions to our Trailblazer softball family," said head coach Randy Simkins.

A two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team CalJC All-American at Cerritos College, Cortez was named the 2026 All-South Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 27-8 overall record & a 2.38 ERA in the circle while tossing nine complete games. She struck out a 3C2A league-leading 238 batters in 196.2 innings.

As a freshman in 2025, Cortez was named First Team All-South Coast Conference after making 38 starts going 23-12, posted 27 complete games & again led 3C2A in strikeouts fanning 225 in 236.0 innings. A 2024 graduate of LaSerna High School, Cortez hails from Whittier, Calif.

"We're thrilled to add Tatyana to our pitching staff. She's been a workhorse at Cerritos and we're excited to see what she can do as we transition into the Big Sky," added Simkins.

A native of Manteca, Calif., Simpson redshirted the 2026 season at California Baptist, who earned both the WAC regular season & tournament titles.

A 2025 graduate of East Union High School, Simpson was a three-time team MVP & three-year captain while earning a pair of VOL All-League honors in 2024 (First Team) & 2025 (Second Team).

"Mikayla has played for very good programs prior to Utah Tech.  She understands the game at a high level and what it takes to be a great pitcher and has shown that in high school and travel ball.  She's a great young lady, is very motivated and is very hard worker. We're excited to see her shine at the collegiate level," said Simkins.

Bartlett played in eight games for Idaho State in 2026 as the Bengals won both the Big Sky regular season & tournament titles.  

Making one start at designated player in a 6-0 win at Montana on April 25, Bartlett hit .333 with a pair of base knocks in six at-bats. Notching a double in a 12-4 run-rule win over Maine on March 6, Bartlett also added a single at home against Weber State on March 29 and drew a pair of walks with one apiece vs. Maine & at Utah State.

Bartlett is a 2025 graduate of Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas where she was a two-time Nevada 5A First Team All-State selection as a junior and senior. She helped lead PVHS to a perfect 25-0 record and a NIAA 5A state title as a senior in 2025.
 
"Mya is a very athletic & talented softball player.  She can play multiple positions and she can really hit. We expect great things from her during her time in a Trailblazer uniform," Simkins added.

The trio of transfer additions will join six other high school additions, Reece Bybee (Outfielder / Chubbuck, Idaho / Highland HS), Kylie Carpenter (Catcher / Infielder / Washington, Utah / Pine View HS), Natalia Delgadillo (Infielder / Dinuba, Calif. / Immanuel HS), Abby McSweeney-Franklin (Catcher / Infielder / Rohnert Park, Calif. / Casa Grande HS), Johana Pina (Outfielder / Yucaipa, Calif. / Ganesha HS) and Gianna Tuso (Pitcher / Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda HS) that signed in the fall of 2025.