Change defines every offseason.
After a strong 2025 campaign that ended in the Clemson Regional last spring, the ‘Cats now looked to fill key positions left vacant from the notable departures of Lauren
Boyd, Ayana Lindsey and Lauren Sciborski. Also having lost Hannah Cushing and Lauren Curry, head coach Kate Drohan needed to assemble a powerful incoming roster ahead of the Big Ten grind in a brand new location.
That reshaping begins with this year’s six-player class, including five first-years and one transfer. It will be exciting to see where these athletes end up in the respective lineup and how they will fare against a tough schedule, but until then, let’s lay down the facts.
Abby Harvey | Indiana Wesleyan | Noblesville, IN
Harvey is a graduate transfer from IWU and the only non-first-year in Drohan’s incoming squad. Competing in the NAIA’s Crossroads League, Harvey hit .426 in her final season and secured Second-Team All-American Honors in the NFCA/NAIA.
One of the impressive things about Harvey is her great eye at the plate. In her senior year, she gathered 13 walks. When she’s not drawing a walk, she’s going deep into the count for a quality at bat. Her wide stance and small leg kick allow for a balanced approach at the plate, including a very quick bat to produce powerful hits to the green
As a catcher, she has great framing capabilities and a quick snap to throw girls out. With four years of collegiate experience, Harvey’s maturity will be a great asset for the ‘Cats. In tune with this, Emma Raye and Lauren Sciborski split time behind the plate last season. With Sciborski graduated, I see a similar approach happening this year with Harvey and Raye trading off.
Tru Medina | Glenbard North High School | Hanover Park, IL
Headlined as the “best shortstop in the state” by Illinois’ own The Daily Herald, Medina was a powerhouse leading up to her Northwestern commitment. She received four unanimous All-Conference selections, three All-State First-Team selections and was a two-time DuKane Conference Player of the Year during her high school campaign.
When looking at film, it’s easy to see why the first-year made the 2026 Softball America Freshman Watch List. With the speed to average 14 steals per season, she makes it look easy grabbing extra bases (she recorded 25 extra-base hits her junior year). In fact, she often gets dirtier on defense than the base path, because you’d better believe she makes those incredible range plays deep in the 5-6 hole — reacting instantly to the grounder in her pocket and, even with a longer windup, still unleashing enough velocity to beat runners at first.
Not only this, Medina is a true switch hitter — with explosion behind the bat on either side of the plate. Her ability to lift the ball on any pitch in the zone led to her recording 16 homers, 15 doubles, 40 RBI and a .571 batting average her senior year. With a deep load and a smooth extension, her double-threat will test the pitchers of the Big Ten this season.
However, it will be interesting to see where she ends up in the infield, as shortstop is covered by returning sophomore Kaylie Avvisato. Labeling herself as utility, I could see Medina becoming an asset anywhere on the field, especially third base, after senior Bridget Donahey ultimately graduates.
Marina Mason | Brentwood High School | Brentwood, TN
Truly one of a kind, Mason is the only pitcher in this signing class, and she also happens to be the only athlete not from the Midwest. The two-time Brentwood captain built up a resume consisting of 2025 Williamson County MVP, two-time District 11 Pitcher of the Year, three-time Gateway Tire Female Athlete of the Week, District 11 Rookie of the Year and two-time TWSA All-State Team selection — the list just seems never-ending. In fact, she just added a new one, joining her teammate Medina on the 2026 Softball America Freshman Watch List.
To back up her long list, Mason accumulated 979 strikeouts with a 2.49 ERA during her 584 innings of high school ball. As a senior, she performed her absolute best, recording 339 K’s to only 38 walks to earn yet another title: No. 1 in Tennessee and No. 12 nationally for total season strikeouts. She also broke her high school’s record for most strikeouts in a game with 24 (which at the time notched her just over 800).
With good spin on the ball, the right-handed pitcher is able to delicately paint the corners in a way that is fascinating to watch — unless you’re the opposing team, of course. While the speed is also there, I think the ability to hit spots will allow her to make a mark in the next four years. After all, collegiate athletes can hit speed — it’s the spin and placement that’s the hardest to grapple with.
On the offensive side, Mason had 24 RBI’s, eight doubles and four home runs that culminated into 27 total hits during her senior season. There isn’t much I could find on her swing, but it’s obvious she produces runs and hits.
Of course, only time will tell if Mason can hit spots consistently in a Big Ten matchup. But for a team that just lost Lauren Boyd, it’s nice to see Drohan picking up a solid pitcher who can continue to expand the depth of the Northwestern squad. I see Mason learning from the upperclassmen but immediately making an impact on this lineup.
Teagan McCue | Bishop McNamara Catholic High School | Bourbonnais, IL
Much like her teammates, McCue has her own long list of accolades. As a four-time Chicago Christian Conference All-Conference selection with CCC offensive and defensive player of the year, she also collected two CCC MVP’s and is a two-time All-State honoree.
Another lefty power added to the roster will keep a good variety for this offensive lineup. McCue hit over .500 in her junior and senior seasons and left with 15 doubles and five homers in her fourth year. Her stance is open in the box, which will allow for better tracking of pitches, good hip hinge and pop off the bat — hitting mostly oppo. She also touts a small leg kick, which will help her time quick pitchers well and display more consistent hitting. Long strides around the bases will also prove helpful for those extra-base hits and stolen bases that she proved she can grab when she collected 22 her senior year.
She played short during her travel ball and high school careers, but currently with Avvisato and the previously mentioned Medina, I think her chances at short are slim this season. She has demonstrated immense range and arm strength, so again, maybe some outfield work could be of benefit, but I ultimately see her getting a chance at second as Grace Nieto enters her final year with the ‘Cats.
Kate Renschen | Lake Central High School | St. John, IN
Earning a Premier Girls Fastpitch title of All-American in 2025, the two-time All-State and NWI Times First-Team All-Area selection will be another lefty batter who can go the distance for NU.
Renschen played only three varsity seasons, but during her time, she broke multiple single-season and career records for Lake Central. She not only holds the single-season and career stolen base records with 37 and 96, respectively, but she also has the highest career batting average (.515) and single-season hits (61). Renschen dawns a high leg kick but a powerful hinge as she gets around the ball quickly and efficiently. Her lift is helpful for hammering it to the outfield, and I could see her doing well in a power-slap situation as well.
Primarily a third baseman, she has good crashing techniques for bunts and a long windup throw. Despite this, her velocity is high and her blocking ability on quick grounders is very useful. She has a quick reaction time that allows her to make those zipped line-drive outs.
It is peculiar to see her listed as an outfielder on the 2026 roster, but who am I to criticize Drohan’s moves? Outfield is a needed position after Lindsey’s graduation, so Renschen is useful in this regard. However, because she is not listed as her main position, I don’t see her playing much in this year’s rotation. Rather, she will likely build up her skills behind an already-stacked roster, maybe transitioning to third if Medina doesn’t fall there or second after Grace Nieto departs.
Kylee Jensen | Marengo Community High School | Marengo, IL
Four is the lucky number for Jensen. She was a four-time captain and received four All-State selections, four All-Area selections and four All-Kishwaukee River Conference selections (that’s four different awards for four consecutive years). To top it off, she was a KRC Player of the Year.
Jensen holds her high school’s all-time runs scored and doubles recorded records, hitting .492 as a senior and notching 34 extra-base hits and 34 stolen bases to complement it. Multiple articles from The Daily Herald describe her as a commanding presence behind the dish, and multiple scouts seem to agree.
It’s difficult to place anything about her swing or catching mechanics, as there is no available film. Nonetheless, I believe Jensen will fit right in with this Northwestern squad as she learns behind two older athletes until she is ready to take her shot on the field.
