FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State softball program and head coach Darren Mueller have announced the addition of five signings on the opening day of the national signing period.
 
Kaila Arakaki | IF/OF | Huntington Beach, California | Edison HS
Arakaki is set to join the Bison from Huntington Beach, California and Edison High School where she has been a First Team all-league performer as a middle infielder for Jermey Barnes and Arte Cordova. Arakaki is coming off of a junior season that included leading Edison to the CIF playoffs, hitting .360 with 19 stolen bases and a .962 fielding percentage. Over her career, Arakaki has hit .355 in three seasons and has posted a .937 fielding percentage, earning Defensive MVP and MVP honors in her sophomore and junior seasons. Arakaki has also lettered in field hockey for two seasons. Arakaki intends to major in Business at NDSU.
 
Lexi Cortez | IF | Bell Gardens, California | Warren HS
Cortez will come to NDSU from Warren High School in Downey, California. The Bell Gardens native has played shortstop for Mary Starksen, where she is a two-time all-league performer and was an All-CIF-SS First Team selection last season after hitting .446 with a .500 obp. In 92 at bats, Cortez recorded 41 hits, 18 doubles, a triple and four home runs. She had 28 runs scored and 38 RBI. She also posted a .960 fielding percentage at shortstop. For her career, Cortez is hitting .323 with 83 career hits in three seasons with 22 doubles and nine home runs. She also has a .952 career fielding percentage in three seasons as the starter at shortstop. Cortez has played travel ball for Explosion Premier 18u and made the PGF All-American Finalist Watch List following her sophomore year. Cortez intends to major in Nursing at NDSU.
 
Soledad Healy | OF | San Jose, California | Valley Christian HS
Healy will come to Fargo from San Jose, California where she has been a three-year starter for Valley Christian. During her junior season, the center fielder helped her team to a WCAL championship as she hit .387 in 24 games, with a .441 obp. Healy had 24 hits, including two home runs, along with 12 RBI, 13 runs scored and five stolen bases. Heading into her final season, Healy is hitting .319 for her career with a .394 obp, 40 RBI and 55 runs scored. Healy's mom, Joie, splayed collegiate softball at San Diego State. Healy intends to major in Animal Science at NDSU.
 
Mikayla Sta. Ana | IF/OF | Pomona, California | South Hills HS
Sta. Ana joins the Bison from South Hills High School in West Covina, California. The Pomona native has played third base and outfield for Ralph Navarro, helping the program reach the CIF-SS playoffs all three seasons, including a trip to the semifinals. She has earned all-league and all-area honors all three seasons, and reached the San Gabriel Valley All-Star game twice. Last season, Sta. Ana hit .481 with a .582 obp. In 26 games, she recorded 38 hits with 11 doubles and two triples. She also had 16 RBI and 18 walks. Heading into her final season, she has a career .489 average with a .562 obp. She has four career home runs, 26 doubles and three triples. She also has 47 RBI and 36 BB. With her club team, Firecrackers Premier RTY, Sta. Ana hit .429 with a .476 obp in 56 games over the fall of 2024-summer 2025 season. Her sister, Alexus, is currently a senior catcher at Azusa Pacific. Sta. Ana intends to major in Mathematics and Math Education at NDSU.
 
Cassidy Stinnett | P/OF | Ladera Ranch, California | Capistrano Valley HS
Stinnett is set to come to Fargo from Mission Viejo, California and Capistrano Valley High School where she has been a pitcher and outfielder under the direction of Marla Becerra. The 2025 South County All-League MVP and Defensive Player of the Year tossed 136 innings as a junior, posting a 13-6 record with 120 strikeouts. She also hit .395 at the plate with a .703 obp. Stinnett has led her program to three-straight conference titles in the circle, tossing 305 innings over her first three years, totaling 327 strikeouts. She has also recorded a .411 career batting average.