Tulsa Softball Announces Transfer Class
7/22/2026 9:03:00 AM | Softball
TULSA, Okla. — First-year Tulsa softball head coach DJ Gasso announced his first signing class, consisting of eight transfers, reloading the roster.
"I am very excited to see what this season holds, blending this transfer class with the core group of returning players and incoming freshmen," said Gasso. "The sky is the limit for this group, and I cannot wait to get to work this fall!"
Lexie Warncke – Pitcher – Baylor – Senior – East Bernard, Texas – R/R
Warncke played three seasons at Baylor, accumulating 143.2 innings in the circle for the Bears. She appeared in in 51 games, making 23 starts and pitched to a 4.48 ERA. The East Bernard, Texas native won 14 games, including one over Wisconsin last season to send Baylor to the 2026 Austin Regional Finals. This summer Warncke was named the MVP of the Lone Star State Collegiate League.
"Being the MVP of the Lone Star State Collegiate League shows that Lexie is ready to take her game to the next level, both in the circle and in the batter's box. She brings a veteran presence to the team that will play a major role both on and off the field. Lexie's experience in the Big 12 has prepared her to thrive in the big moments that are ahead," said Gasso.
Shylien Brister – Infield – Texas – r-Sophomore – Houston, Texas – R/R
Brister won a pair of national championships as a member of the Texas Longhorns the last two seasons. She appeared in 28 games as a freshman but did not appear in a game last season. Out of high school, Brister was ranked the No. 34 player in the country by Extra Inning Softball and was ranked the No. 20 player in the Southwest Region and the No. 2 utility player. In high school she was a three-time 24-6A First Team All-District selection while playing at Clear Brook High School.
"All Shylien has done in her career is win. She has won two national championships and knows what it takes to play elite softball. The way she carries herself and the way she goes about her business will be an example for others to follow. I'm excited to see her flourish as a Golden Hurricane," said Gasso.
Delaney Aumua – Infield – Auburn – Sophomore – Livermore, California – R/L
Aumua played her freshman season at Auburn where she hit .296 while slugging. 593 with four home runs in 35 games. She was ranked the No. 21 recruit in the country by Extra Inning Softball and No. 7 by Legacy Legends of Softball. She was named the East Bay Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2025 while at Grenada High School.
"Delaney is going to be a force to be reckoned with. She brings SEC experience and is eager to show off her ability. Tulsa is a great place for her to develop into the powerful softball player she is ready to show the world. Most importantly, she is a great person and will be very influential in our culture. I can't wait to see Delaney's presence on the field."
Jaley James – Catcher – Missouri – r-Freshman – Grandview, Texas – R/R
James attended Missouri last season where she redshirted her freshman season. At Grandview High School, she was a three-time All-State and three-time All-District selection, leading them to the 2025 3A D1 Texas State Championship. In 2025 she was the District Offensive Player of the Year, hitting over .690, eight home runs, and 32 extra-base hits. She was also the 2024 District MVP and the 2023 District Defensive Player of the Year.
"Jaley is someone every coach wants on their team. She is a hardworking player that is finally healthy again. It was great to see her have a ton of success this summer and is showing signs that she is ready to make a name for herself here in Tulsa. I am very excited to see Jaley's presence on the field," said Gasso.
Karsen Griggs – Infield – Kansas – Junior – Shawnee, Oklahoma – R/R
Griggs spent two seasons at Kansas, appearing in 29 games and making 13 starts. She ranked among the Top 100 players in the class of 2024 per Extra Innings Softball and the No. 8 infielder. She helped Dale High School to the 2023 Fastpitch State Championship. An excellent basketball player, she led Dale to the 2023 State Championship and three district championships.
"It's great to get Karsen back in her home state. She is an incredible athlete that is versatile in what she does. You will feel her impact on both sides of the field. I have known Karsen from camps throughout her career and cannot wait to coach her here at Tulsa," said Gasso.
Chesney Davis – Pitcher – Texas State – Sophomore – Montgomery, Texas – R/R
Davis spent her freshman year at Texas State, appearing in nine games in the circle and eight at bats. She threw 11.1 innings, striking out six, while pitching to a 3.71 ERA. While at Lake Creek High School, she was named Team MVP.
"Chesney is a pitcher that will make an immediate impact with her electric stuff. She is eager to learn and develop into a pitcher that will take on a major role for this staff. Chesney is the type of person and player that fits our culture and will bring future success to Tulsa," said Gasso.
Isabella Hardeman – Pitcher – Murray State College – Junior – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – R/R
Hardeman was one of the best pitchers at the junior college level the last two seasons at Murray State College. Appearing in 73 games, she went 61-2 while pitching to a 0.70 ERA in 301.1 innings. Hardeman struck out 425 batters and held opposing hitters to just a .139 batting average. She was named the 2025 NJCAA Division II Pitcher of the Year after going 30-0 with a 0.35 ERA and a WHIP of 0.59 and followed that in 2026 with NFCA First Team All-American honors as Murray State reached the national semifinals.
"Bella has only shown to be dominant throughout her career. Her accolades speak for themselves. She will make an immediate impact on this program, university, and community. I am very excited to see her transition to this level and continue to develop into an even more dominant pitcher," said Gasso.
Adisyn Caryl – Infield – Illinois – Senior – Topeka, Kansas – R/R
Caryl comes to Tulsa after three seasons at Illinois, where she started 155 games. The Topeka native is a career .319 batter with 12 home runs and 82 RBI, with a .459 slugging percentage while reaching base at a .391 rate. Last season, she led the Fighting Illini in doubles (nine) and runs (27). She was selected to the 2024 Big 10 All-Freshman Team after slashing .335/.419/.398.
"Experience is one of the greatest tools an athlete can have, and Adisyn possesses a ton of it. To be an everyday starter in the Big 10 the past three seasons will be extremely valuable for her success and this program. She is gritty and brings a blue-collar work ethic that is a foundational piece of this program. I believe the best is yet to come for Adisyn," said Gasso.
The group also joins incoming freshmen Kaydence Batt, Autumn Kinnaird, Madelyn Lee, Taylan Starr, and Mikena Wilson.
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the softball program. Fans can also follow the team on X, Facebook and Instagram.
"I am very excited to see what this season holds, blending this transfer class with the core group of returning players and incoming freshmen," said Gasso. "The sky is the limit for this group, and I cannot wait to get to work this fall!"
Lexie Warncke – Pitcher – Baylor – Senior – East Bernard, Texas – R/R
Warncke played three seasons at Baylor, accumulating 143.2 innings in the circle for the Bears. She appeared in in 51 games, making 23 starts and pitched to a 4.48 ERA. The East Bernard, Texas native won 14 games, including one over Wisconsin last season to send Baylor to the 2026 Austin Regional Finals. This summer Warncke was named the MVP of the Lone Star State Collegiate League.
"Being the MVP of the Lone Star State Collegiate League shows that Lexie is ready to take her game to the next level, both in the circle and in the batter's box. She brings a veteran presence to the team that will play a major role both on and off the field. Lexie's experience in the Big 12 has prepared her to thrive in the big moments that are ahead," said Gasso.
Shylien Brister – Infield – Texas – r-Sophomore – Houston, Texas – R/R
Brister won a pair of national championships as a member of the Texas Longhorns the last two seasons. She appeared in 28 games as a freshman but did not appear in a game last season. Out of high school, Brister was ranked the No. 34 player in the country by Extra Inning Softball and was ranked the No. 20 player in the Southwest Region and the No. 2 utility player. In high school she was a three-time 24-6A First Team All-District selection while playing at Clear Brook High School.
"All Shylien has done in her career is win. She has won two national championships and knows what it takes to play elite softball. The way she carries herself and the way she goes about her business will be an example for others to follow. I'm excited to see her flourish as a Golden Hurricane," said Gasso.
Delaney Aumua – Infield – Auburn – Sophomore – Livermore, California – R/L
Aumua played her freshman season at Auburn where she hit .296 while slugging. 593 with four home runs in 35 games. She was ranked the No. 21 recruit in the country by Extra Inning Softball and No. 7 by Legacy Legends of Softball. She was named the East Bay Athletic League Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2025 while at Grenada High School.
"Delaney is going to be a force to be reckoned with. She brings SEC experience and is eager to show off her ability. Tulsa is a great place for her to develop into the powerful softball player she is ready to show the world. Most importantly, she is a great person and will be very influential in our culture. I can't wait to see Delaney's presence on the field."
Jaley James – Catcher – Missouri – r-Freshman – Grandview, Texas – R/R
James attended Missouri last season where she redshirted her freshman season. At Grandview High School, she was a three-time All-State and three-time All-District selection, leading them to the 2025 3A D1 Texas State Championship. In 2025 she was the District Offensive Player of the Year, hitting over .690, eight home runs, and 32 extra-base hits. She was also the 2024 District MVP and the 2023 District Defensive Player of the Year.
"Jaley is someone every coach wants on their team. She is a hardworking player that is finally healthy again. It was great to see her have a ton of success this summer and is showing signs that she is ready to make a name for herself here in Tulsa. I am very excited to see Jaley's presence on the field," said Gasso.
Karsen Griggs – Infield – Kansas – Junior – Shawnee, Oklahoma – R/R
Griggs spent two seasons at Kansas, appearing in 29 games and making 13 starts. She ranked among the Top 100 players in the class of 2024 per Extra Innings Softball and the No. 8 infielder. She helped Dale High School to the 2023 Fastpitch State Championship. An excellent basketball player, she led Dale to the 2023 State Championship and three district championships.
"It's great to get Karsen back in her home state. She is an incredible athlete that is versatile in what she does. You will feel her impact on both sides of the field. I have known Karsen from camps throughout her career and cannot wait to coach her here at Tulsa," said Gasso.
Chesney Davis – Pitcher – Texas State – Sophomore – Montgomery, Texas – R/R
Davis spent her freshman year at Texas State, appearing in nine games in the circle and eight at bats. She threw 11.1 innings, striking out six, while pitching to a 3.71 ERA. While at Lake Creek High School, she was named Team MVP.
"Chesney is a pitcher that will make an immediate impact with her electric stuff. She is eager to learn and develop into a pitcher that will take on a major role for this staff. Chesney is the type of person and player that fits our culture and will bring future success to Tulsa," said Gasso.
Isabella Hardeman – Pitcher – Murray State College – Junior – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – R/R
Hardeman was one of the best pitchers at the junior college level the last two seasons at Murray State College. Appearing in 73 games, she went 61-2 while pitching to a 0.70 ERA in 301.1 innings. Hardeman struck out 425 batters and held opposing hitters to just a .139 batting average. She was named the 2025 NJCAA Division II Pitcher of the Year after going 30-0 with a 0.35 ERA and a WHIP of 0.59 and followed that in 2026 with NFCA First Team All-American honors as Murray State reached the national semifinals.
"Bella has only shown to be dominant throughout her career. Her accolades speak for themselves. She will make an immediate impact on this program, university, and community. I am very excited to see her transition to this level and continue to develop into an even more dominant pitcher," said Gasso.
Adisyn Caryl – Infield – Illinois – Senior – Topeka, Kansas – R/R
Caryl comes to Tulsa after three seasons at Illinois, where she started 155 games. The Topeka native is a career .319 batter with 12 home runs and 82 RBI, with a .459 slugging percentage while reaching base at a .391 rate. Last season, she led the Fighting Illini in doubles (nine) and runs (27). She was selected to the 2024 Big 10 All-Freshman Team after slashing .335/.419/.398.
"Experience is one of the greatest tools an athlete can have, and Adisyn possesses a ton of it. To be an everyday starter in the Big 10 the past three seasons will be extremely valuable for her success and this program. She is gritty and brings a blue-collar work ethic that is a foundational piece of this program. I believe the best is yet to come for Adisyn," said Gasso.
The group also joins incoming freshmen Kaydence Batt, Autumn Kinnaird, Madelyn Lee, Taylan Starr, and Mikena Wilson.
Visit www.TulsaHurricane.com for the latest news and information on the softball program. Fans can also follow the team on X, Facebook and Instagram.
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