KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball head coach Karen Weekly has announced five signees for the program’s 2026 recruiting class. The newest Lady Vols include Halle Bailey, Maggie Krause, Amani Mcfield, Bailee Shelton and Avary Stockwell.
Rated the No. 5 class by D1Softball and No. 6 by On3/Softball America, three of the Lady Vols’ signees are featured in the top 30 On3 rankings for the class of 2026. Stockwell is 17th overall in the nation and places No. 2 at her position and No. 1 in the state of Tennessee.
Shelton comes in at No. 25 nationally, eighth at her position and No. 2 in Tennessee, while Bailey is the 27th-ranked prospect in the country, No. 11 at her position and No. 3 in the Volunteer State.
“In the 2026 class, we targeted a LHP and position players who brought athleticism and versatility to the program,” Weekly said. “We feel like we hit the jackpot. These young ladies are the perfect fit for the Lady Vol softball culture and the style of softball we want to play. Most importantly, they are exceptional students and committed to being the best versions of themselves far beyond the softball field. We can’t wait to get them on campus.”
A detailed listing of Tennessee’s 2026 signees, including high school, travel ball honors and notable achievements, can be viewed below. For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee softball, follow @Vol_Softball on X and Instagram.
Halle Bailey
Rockford, Tenn.
Alcoa High School | Mojo Ramsey/Fisher
INF | 5-4 | L/R
- 2025 Prep Softball First Team All-American
- 2024 & 2025 Line Drive Media First Team All-American
- Two-time TSCA TN Miss Softball
- Three-time TSWA All-State
- Three-time District Player of the Year
- 2024 PGF National Champion
- High school stats through junior season: .637 batting average, .688 on-base percentage, 226 hits, 26 2B, 9 3B, 5 HRs, 71 RBIs, 208 runs with 132 stolen bases
Weekly Scouting Report: “HK is a true triple threat and will remind our fans of former Tennessee greats who created chaos with their short game and base running. Her softball IQ is off the charts. She has spent most of her career playing middle infield, but her athleticism allows her to play pretty much anywhere.”
Maggie Krause
Brazil, Ind.
Northview High School | Louisville Sluggers Huecker/Norwood
P | 5-7 | L/L
- Three-time All-Western Indiana Conference Team
- 2024 SCAI All-State Second Team
- Three-time Northview High School MVP
- Northview single-season strikeout record holder at 275
- High school stats through junior season: 1.55 ERA, 736 Ks, .184 opponent batting average // .372 batting average, 18 HRs, 65 RBIs, .449 on-base percentage and a .774 slugging percentage
Weekly Scouting Report: “Maggie brings another left-handed arm to our bullpen and versatility to our pitching staff. Her off-speed is one of the best in travel softball. She has pitched in big games and moments her entire career and knows how to win. I can’t wait for her to work with Megan (Rhodes Smith) every day.”
Amani Mcfield
Rialto, Calif.
Etiwanda High School | Corona Angels
UT | 5-7 | L/R
- Played two seasons at Aquinas High School before moving to Etiwanda
- Freshman year stats at Aquinas: .625 batting average with 54 runs scored
- Sophomore year stats at Aquinas: .494 batting average with 40 runs scored and 10 HRs
- Her 10 home runs placed in the top five in school history
- Played in just three games as a junior at Etiwanda due to transfer rule
Weekly Scouting Report: “Amani is a versatile player who can shine both in the outfield or the infield. She hits from the left side and has that coveted combination of speed and power. She plays in the powerhouse Corona Angels program and knows how to work and win. She will be an exciting player in our program.”
Bailee Shelton
Ramer, Tenn.
McNairy High School | Mojo Ramsey/Fisher
P/UT | 5-8 | L/R
- 2023 Division I 3A State Champion
- 2025 3A West TN Miss Softball
- Two-time All-State First Team
- 2024 16U PGF National Champion
- 2024 16U Colorado Sparkler Champion
- 2022 Colorado TV Bracket Champion
- High school batting stats: FR – .450/.545/.793 // SO – .558/.667/.1.091 // JR – .575/.631/1.069, 19 HRs, 92 RBIs
- Pitching stats through junior season: 43-8 record with 431 strikeouts
Weekly Scouting Report: “Bailee is an athlete and 3-way player with a lot of tools and a huge upside. She can pitch, play corner (infield) or outfield, and has a sweet left-handed swing. It will be exciting to watch her develop once she gets to college and focuses solely on softball.”
Avary Stockwell
Mount Juliet, Tenn.
Green Hill High School | Mojo Ramsey/Fisher
C/INF | 5-10 | R/R
- 2025 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year
- 2025 Middle Tennessee High School Softball Player of the Year
- 2023 TN 4A State Champion
- 2025 TN 4A State Runner-Up
- Three-time TSWA TN 4A All-State First Team
- Three-time TN 4A MVP All-District
- Three-time TN 4A District All-Tournament Team
- Three-time TN 4A District, Region, Sectional and Sub-State Champion
- Four-time Triple Crown ESPN Future Star
- 2024 PGF 16U National Champion
- Three-time PGF Show Me the Money Champion
- 2024 Top Gun Invitational Maverik Division Champions
- 2024 Triple Crown Fast Pitch P5 Champions
- 2025 Triple Crown Sports International Team Japan 18U Champion
- Freshman year stats: slashed .407/.471/.893 with 18 HRs, 58 RBIs
- Sophomore year stats: slashed .447/.488/.987 with 19 HRs, 72 RBIs
- Junior year stats: slashed .663/.754/1.643 with 25 HRs, 62 RBIs
Weekly Scouting Report: “Avary is one of the best prep power hitters to ever come out of the state of Tennessee. She has a fantastic arm, and I expect her to spend time at both catcher and corner (infield). Her work ethic is phenomenal. She loves the grind.”
