VESTAL, N.Y. – The Binghamton softball program has announced the signing of six high school seniors as part of the National Letter Intent (NLI) signing period. All of them will join the Bearcats as freshmen next fall.

"We are very excited to welcome these six student-athletes into the Binghamton Softball Family," head coach Jess Bump said. "This is an athletic group who all have been part of championship-caliber high school teams and high-level travel organizations. They are all high academic and high character young women who will have great success at Binghamton both on and off the field."

Addisyn Knapik (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) is a utility player from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School. As a junior, she was named Class AA First-Team All-State by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches Organization for Girls Sports (NYSSCOGS). She was also named Fifth-Team All-State as a sophomore. In addition, Knapik has been named an all-star by both the Suburban Council and Times Union. She helped lead her squad to the 2024 New York State (NYS) Class AA championship as well as the 2025 state semifinals. During the 2025 season, Knapik batted .395, homered 11 times and was a perfect 34-for-34 in stolen base attempts. She plays travel ball for the Lady Dukes. 

Knapik has also been part of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake field hockey program, which recently captured the NYS Class AA title.

"Addisyn is a high level athlete who is a true competitor," Bump said. "She has been a part of state championship teams in both softball and field hockey and winning is always on the forefront of her mind. Her ceiling is very high and we are excited to see how she develops during her time as a Bearcat."

Savannah Aulich (Swedesboro, N.J.) is a pitcher from Kingsway Regional High School. At the high school level, she brings her talents to the track running the 200m, 400m, and the 800m. As a junior during the summer travel season, she pitched 85 innings and struck out 87 batters while this fall has 15 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts. She plays travel ball for Unity Torres. 

"Savannah is a pitcher who takes great pride in her pitching craft and presence," Bump said. "She is going to provide a different look than our other pitchers on staff, but also provide a mentality and intensity that every coach looks for. She is all business all of the time, but has a poise about her that we believe is her best quality."

Kayleigh Collins (Hauppauge, N.Y.) is an infielder from Hauppauge High School. As a junior, she was named Second-Team Class AA All-State by the NYSSCOGS. She was also named All-Suffolk County and All-Division III four times. As a junior, Collins hit .818 with seven home runs and 40 RBI. In addition, she was twice named the Long Island Class AA Field Player of the Year. She plays travel ball with Team Long Island. 

"Kayleigh is a pure hitter who is going to provide power to the middle of our order during her time as a Bearcat," Bump said. "She is very even keeled, has a strong softball IQ, and we expect her to be a leader by example during her time in green."

Reese Whitzell (Woolwich Township, N.J.) is an infielder from Kingsway Regional High School. She has been named all-conference in both her sophomore and junior seasons. She helped lead her squad to the 2025 South Jersey Group 4 championship. Last season, she hit .439, homered six times and stole 32 bases. She plays travel ball for Mystics Garrett. 

"Reese is an all-around athlete who is very consistent on both sides of the ball. She has a great demeanor, isn't very flashy but just seems to get the job done," Bump said. "She plays with a lot of heart and grit, and those qualities alone will set her up for success during her time on campus."

Addison Cook (Utica, N.Y.) is a pitcher from Whitesboro High School. She has been named Class AA All-State by the NYSSCOGS twice during her career. Cook has also been named the Central New York (CNY) Player of the Year as well as the Tri-Valley Pitcher of the Year. As a junior, Cook recorded 400 strikeouts, batted .544 and posted four home runs, 33 RBI and a 1.035 slugging percentage. Her pitching record the past two years has been 30-6. She plays travel ball for the Lady Dukes. 

"Addie has contagious energy and a strong presence on the mound," Bump said. "She has a lot of upside because of her build and her pedigree, and we are anxiously awaiting her arrival on campus to get to work and continue to develop."

Avery Howe (Fayetteville, N.Y.) is a catcher from Fayetteville-Manlius High School. As a junior, she was named first-team All-Central New York (CNY). Howe was also named first-team all-league and is a five-time Scholar-Athlete. As a sophomore, she caught 16 runners stealing and posted a .600 average for runners caught. She plays travel ball for Virginia Glory Willemsen. 

"Avery has been coming to Binghamton camps since the sixth grade and has treated our campus like home for quite some time," Bump said. "She is a catcher who commands the field well and makes it a priority to create strong relationships with all of the pitchers that she works with. She loves the game, and loves her people, which is a combination of qualities that will continue her success on the field at the next level."