The FSU softball program has signed four-star catcher Layna Ayala, the top recruit in Florida. She officially signed with the program on Wednesday morning.
The Melbourne, Florida, native committed to the Seminoles back on Sept. 24, 2025, and is the first member of FSU's 2027 recruiting class to sign. Softball America ranks her as the No. 19 overall player and No. 5 catcher in the country. It is the second time in the past three years that the Seminoles have landed the No. 1 recruit in Florida, with Makenna Sturgis signing in 2025.
Ayala has had a dominant first three years at Melbourne High School and received All-American Honorable Mention honors from MaxPreps after her junior season. She has improved each season, hitting .580 with 13 home runs,
nine doubles, 55 RBI, and 42 runs scored in 28 games last year. She finished the year with a.621 on-base percentage and a 1.284 slugging percentage, walking 13 times and striking out seven times.
She was also efficient on the bases, stealing 10 bases without getting caught. She was credited with three errors behind the plate, posting a .967 fielding percentage.
Ayala has played in 86 games during her career, hitting .504 with 35 home runs, 21 triples, 17 doubles, and 123 RBI in 260 at-bats. She will look to raise her level once again as a senior before joining FSU for the 2028 season.
The No. 1 player in Florida is headed to Tallahassee! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) November 11, 2026
Welcome to the Garnet and Gold, Layna! 🍢 @AyalaLayna pic.twitter.com/FCuVaMCsLi
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Layna Ayala makes her Florida State future official
