STANFORD, Calif. – Bolstered by five Top-100 ranked recruits, Stanford softball signed the nation's 10th-rated class, according to Extra Innings Softball, head Jessica Allister and her staff announced on Wednesday.
The Cardinal received National Letter of Intents from NiJaree Canady (Topeka, Kan.), Kyra Chan (San Diego, Calif.), Emily Jones (Westlake Village, Calif.), River Mahler (Monroe, Wash.) and Allison Morikawa (Mission Viejo, Calif.) to complete its class.
Allister and assistant coaches Jessica Merchant and Tori Nyberg signed the third-ranked class in the Pac-12.
"Today is a great day for Stanford Softball," Allister said. "I have anxiously been awaiting this day and am so excited to welcome NiJa, Kyra, Emily, River and Allison to the Stanford Softball Family. This class brings an exceptional combination of pitching, defense speed and power to our program. On top of that, this class is made up of tough, hard-nosed competitors that are passionate about pursuing excellence on the field. The goal for Stanford Softball is to compete for championships, and this class is a big step in that direction."
NiJaree Canady
P/UT | R/R | Topeka, Kansas | Topeka HS | Louisville Lady Sluggers
- Ranked T-11th in Extra Inning Softball's Class of 2022 player rankings
- Competed for Louisville Lady Sluggers
- Southeastern Fastpitch League Alliance Fall champions
- 2020-21 Kansas Gatorade State Player of the Year
- MaxPreps All-America first team (2021)
- Two-time first team all-state (2018, 2020)
- Led Topeka to its first ever league and state title in softball as a junior
- As a junior, had a 0.26 ERA and 232 strikeouts in 107.2 innings; batted .478 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI
- Also led Topeka basketball with 20.3 points per game
- Kansas Honor Scholar
Allister on Canady: "NiJa is a force both in the circle and at the plate. She is a two sport athlete that has put together a fantastic high school career both on the softball field and the basketball court. Even with all of her successes we believe NiJa is just beginning to scratch the surface of her potential. We can't to get NiJa on campus and for her to start focusing on softball full time."
Kyra Chan
OF | L/R | San Diego, Calif. | Torrey Pines HS | Firecrackers Bashear
- Ranked T-29 in Extra Inning Softball's Class of 2022 player rankings
- Two-time All-CIF (2019, 2021)
- Two-time All-CIF San Diego Section (2019, 2021)
- Two-time first team All-Coastal League (2019, 2021)
- Played for Firecrackers Brashear
- Led Firecrackers to three third place finishes – at Alliance Fastpitch, TCS National and TCS Sparkler
- 2018 TCS Sparkler All-America team
- Competed for the Philippines at the Triple Crown International Challenge (2021)
Kyra Chan: "Kyra is going to be fun for our fans to watch because of her game changing speed. She covers a ton of ground in the outfield, and she is a skilled bunter and slapper. Kyra also has the ability to swing away and drive the ball, and I am looking forward to watching that part of her game continue to grow."
Emily Jones
INF | L/R | Westlake Village, Calif. | Westlake HS | Firecrackers Rico
- Ranked T-9th in Extra Inning Softball's Class of 2022 player rankings
- Competes on the club level for Firecrackers Rico
- 2021 Triple Crown National Champions
- Led Westlake HS to at least a share of the Marmonte League championship in 2019 and 2020, and to the CIF-Southern Section championship game
- CalHigh Sports All-State Underclassmen first team (2021)
- Two-time first team All-Marmonte League (2019, 2021)
- Two-time All-Marmonte League Defensive Player of the Year (2019, 2021)
- Owns a career .489 batting average with 69 runs in her high school career
Allister on Jones: "Emily is a hard-nosed competitor with both speed and power at the plate and the defensive tools to play any position on the field. Emily has been to many Stanford Softball camps, and from the first time we worked with her four years ago we knew that we wanted Emily to come to Stanford!"
River Mahler
INF | L/R | Monroe, Wash. | Monroe HS | NW Bullets
- Ranked T-11th in Extra Inning Softball's Class of 2022 player rankings
- Competed for NW Bullets on the club level
- Placed 17th at PGF Nationals in 2017, and ninth in 2021
- Washington Player of the Year according to USA Today and MaxPreps
- Batted .714 as a junior for Monroe High School
- Set school records for batting average and hits as a freshman
Allister on Mahler: "River is an exceptional defender with a great combination of speed and power at the plate. River is as skilled as any infielder that I have seen at her age, but what sets her apart is her relentless work ethic and competitive fire. River loves to play softball and it is fun to watch her compete."
Allison Morikawa
C/UT | L/L | Mission Viejo, Calif. | Northwood HS | BSC Bengals
- Ranked T-61st in Extra Inning Softball's Class of 2022 player rankings
- Competed for BSC Bengals on the club level
- Placed third at PGF Nationals in 2021, and ninth in 2015
- Led her club team in home runs in 2020-21
- Two-time All-Pacific Coast League first team
- Was second in the league with a .583 OBP as a junior, also batting .423
Allister on Morikawa: "Allison is a great lefty hitter with the defensive versatility to spend time both in the outfield and behind the plate. Allison has put together a tremendous high school career thus far, and despite her small stature will surprise people with her offensive power. We are thrilled that Allison chose Stanford."