AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton has announced the signings of five prep players to National Letters of Intent.

The Cyclones have signed Kylee Espinoza, Hailey Holtz, Kasey Kane, Liv Palumbo and Ava Wilmes.

“I feel that we as a staff did a good job identifying what our immediate needs were to supplement our large 2024 class,” says Pinkerton. “This group adds depth to our pitching staff, catchers and both corner and middle infield. Offensively, we gained a much-needed left-handed bat that our 2026 team will need. Overall, I am really pleased with this group that just joined Cyclone Nation.”

Kylee Espinoza – 5’7 | INF | Murrieta, Calif. | Vista Murrieta HS
A four-time letterwinner and three-year starter in high school, Espinoza comes to Iowa State boasting experience all over the infield. In her most recent season, she earned first-team all-league honors. She’s not the only Division I softball player in her family, as her cousin, Taylor Becerra, played four seasons at Arizona State (2015-19).

“We feel that Kylee will be a big boost to our infield,” says Pinkerton. “She is a natural middle infielder who can also play third base. I am excited about the depth she will be able to provide to our team. She is a contact hitter that has power and continues to get stronger.”

Hailey Holtz – 5’8 | RHP | Richmond, Ill. | Richmond-Burton HS
Coached by Tyler Stanton and Carly Mattson, Holtz has lettered four times and helped her high school to 62 wins over the last three seasons. A two-time team captain, Hailey registered her 500th career strikeout this past season as she helped Richmond Burton to a Class 2A Regional Championship and earned 2A All-State First Team honors.

“Hailey is a welcome addition to our staff,” says Pinkerton. “She owns a mix of pitches that she is able to throw to different areas of the strike zone. She has the ability to change speeds and I am eager to see how she and Olivia work together.”

Kasey Kane – 5’6 | C | LeClaire, Iowa | Pleasant Valley HS
Kane will reunite with former Pleasant Valley teammate Jessie Clemons as she continues the Iowa high school to Ames pipeline. Kane won the 2024 Iowa Girls High School softball title with Clemons this past summer as well as the 2023 basketball state championship in 2023. In her junior season, Kane was First Team All-State, All-Conference, All-District and academic.

“We are excited to add Kasey to this class,” says Pinkerton. “We feel she was one of the top players in this class from Iowa. She’ll help provide catcher depth that we have been lacking for the last couple of years. She is a middle of the lineup hitter that can produce runs and hits for average and power. Behind the plate, she handles pitchers very well, blocks balls in the dirt, and will deter the run game because she has an excellent arm.”

Liv Palumbo – 5’8 | RHP | Washington, Okla. | Washington HS
A multi-sport athlete, Palumbo earned seven high school letters between track and softball. Through three seasons of high school softball, Palumbo has yet to own a season ERA that exceeds 1.00. A two-time softball champion in Oklahoma, Palumbo was also a part of her high school’s 3A 4×200 state champion relay as the team won the 3A state track title in 2024.

“Liv will be a great addition to our pitching staff,” says Pinkerton. “She will complement the bullpen that Coach Sinnott has put together the last couple of years. Liv can work all quadrants of the zone and has the ability to change speeds.”

Ava Wilmes – 5’8 | INF | Kansas City, Mo. | Blue Springs South HS
A four-time high school letterwinner, Ava comes to Ames after having her best high school season during her junior year. In 2024, Wilmes was First Team All-Conference, All-District, and All-Region as she bat .427 and totaled 32 RBI. Her high school team finished state runner-up in her sophomore campaign.

“I am really excited to add Ava to the 2025 class,” says Pinkerton. “She is a corner infielder and a middle-of-the-lineup hitter. She is a left-handed power hitter who can hit for average and produce runs. She fills some much-needed depth we need for left-handed hitting on our future roster.”