POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State softball team has announced the signing of five players for the 2021-22 season.
 
Piper Tago hails from Laguna Hills, Calif., where she will graduate from Dana Hills High School in 2021. The 5'6 infielder was named Rookie of the Year in 2018 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. At the plate, she averaged .320 while recording a .394 on base percentage. She tallied 50 hits, 35 RBIs, 28 runs, and four homeruns. Her older sister, Frankie, also plays for the Idaho State softball program.
 
"We are excited to have another member of the Tago family knowing the character that comes along with that," said Head Coach Cristal Brown. "Piper will provide power, quick hands at third base, and fierce competition. Along with good character, Piper will also add to this group's drive for academic success."
 
Tago will major in psychology at ISU.
 
"I chose ISU because the Pocatello community is very nice and welcoming and that is somewhere I wanna be," said Tago. "I look forward to making the most out of these upcoming years." 


 
Haley Rainey will join the Bengals from her hometown of Chehalis, Wash. The 5'10 pitcher will graduate from Adna High School where she was a member of the National Honors Society. Her freshman and sophomore years, Rainey earned first-team All-League honors. During her sophomore year, she was also named Lewis County Athlete of the Year: Softball. Her sophomore and junior years, she earned first team All-State and would go on to be named a Top 15 Pitcher in Washington State by Scorebook Live WA. 
 
"Haley is an elite level pitcher who has faced top competition and has a championship under her belt," Brown said. "She executes on the mound and in the classroom with great academics. We are excited to have her fun loving spirit and positive energy on our team." 
 
In 2018, she helped her team to a fourth-place finish in state while going on to become State Champions in 2019.
 
Rainey will major in education at ISU.
 
"I chose Idaho State because it makes me happy," said Rainey. "I feel like I am at home in Pocatello and the coaches feel like family."


 
Brook Richards, a Bellevue, Wash., native, will join the Bengals after graduating from Newport High School in 2021 where she was a member of the National Honors Society. Academically, Richards also took AP world history, AP psychology, AP U.S. history, AP art history, AP Econ, AP U.S. government. 
 
"Brook will bring a lot of speed and spunk to our infield," said Brown. "She pursues excellence in every area of her life and will provide a team first attitude. Her character and drive for high academics will be a great addition to the culture we are building." 
 
The 5'5 infielder earned the Newport Softball Heart and Hustle Award and helped her team to a fifth-place finish in state for 4A in Washington.
 
Richards will major in health sciences at ISU.
 
"I chose ISU because when I first stepped on campus I felt at home," said Richards. "I love that I can choose the major I want and join the undeniable positive environment made by Coach Brown, Coach Randy and Coach Boyd as well as the entire team. I cannot wait to compete at the highest level as well as get the education I have always wanted."


 
Meah Almaraz hails from San Dimas, Calif., where she will graduate from San Dimas High School in 2021. The 5'6 infielder earned the Golden Glove Award and was named All-League in 2019 while also earning the Coaches' Award. Almaraz also played JV volleyball, earning two CIF Academic Honor Awards and two CIF Exceptional Achievement awards.
 
"We are excited for Meah to come in and make an immediate impact with her discipline and go getter attitude," said Brown. "She will provide this team with power and a left handed glove at first base. Her drive to succeed in the classroom makes her the high caliber student athlete we are looking for." 
 
Almaraz will major in criminology at Idaho State.
 
"I chose ISU because it is such a beautiful place and the campus is gorgeous," said Almaraz. "It has four seasons and I am a Cali girl so I wanted to experience something new."
 


Gracie Smith will join the program from her hometown of Meridian, Idaho, where she will graduate from Rocky Mountain High School in 2021. The 5'9 outfielder earned 5A All-Conference varsity softball honors. 
 
"Gracie is speedy in the outfield and a strong lefty that can slap but also has a great power swing," Brown said. "She will compete for a spot in the top of the lineup and make waves on the base paths. She works hard in the classroom and will bring good character and a hard work ethic to this team." 
 
She will major in exercise science at Idaho State.
 
"I chose ISU because of the amazing coaches who are going to help me be successful in playing Division I softball while being close to home somy family can support me at every game," said Smith.