Ohio Softball Adds Five During Early Signing Period

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team added five athletes to its roster during the early signing period, head coach Paige McMenemy announced today (Nov. 12). Joining the Bobcats for the 2027-28 season is McKenna Cassidy, Giana Chirpas, Breann Lipold, Harlie Reich and Ava Rush

"We are excited to welcome our 2027 signing class to the Ohio softball family," McMenemy said. "This group comes from four different states and brings a great combination of talent, character, and competitiveness. We are confident they will make a positive impact on our program, both on and off the field. We can't wait to get them to Athens and officially welcome them as Bobcats!"

McKenna Cassidy | INF | Lakewood Ranch, Fla. | IMG Academy
A native of Lakewood Ranch, Fla, Cassidy comes to Ohio after spending the last four years at IMG Academy where she played under head coach Amanda Hayes. While there, the infielder was a four-time letter winner in softball and was named the Sarasota Herald Tribune Athlete of the Week in 2024. Cassidy played travel softball for nine years and currently plays for the Tampa Mustangs Gleason/Novickis 18U.

Cassidy is the daughter of Bruce and Christina Cassidy and she has one older sister, Kendall. Cassidy enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She is a member of the National Honors Society and is a volunteer for the Special Olympics and Salvation Army and was awarded the top bell ringer in Manatee County. Cassidy plans to major in psychology.

Giana Chirpas | UTL | Bridgeport, Ohio | Martins Ferry
A native of Bridgeport, Ohio, Chirpas is a three-sport athlete at Martins Ferry High School where she lettered in varsity all four years in volleyball, basketball and softball.

In softball, Chirpas is a three-time OVAC First Team selection, a two-time OVAC Player of the year, a two-time First Team All-State selection, a two-time All-District First Team Selection and a Second Team All-District pick. Chirpas holds the Martins Ferry career record in runs batted in, home runs and batting average, and set the single-season records in RBI, hits, home runs and batting average. Chirpas led Martins Ferry to back-to-back OVAC Championships in 2025 and 2026. Chirpas also plays travel softball for the Ohio Stingrays.

Chirpas earned OVAC Player of the Year recognition in volleyball, where she is a two-time OVAC First Team pick, and two-time First Team All-District selection and an All-State Honorable Mention. She helped lead Martins Ferry to back-to-back Sectional Championships and an OVAC Championship in 2026 and has recorded over 1,000 kills in her career. In basketball, she is three-time OVAC First Team selection and has earned All-State and All-District honors the last three years. She once again helped lead Martins Ferry to an OVAC Championship in 2024 and has recorded over 1,000 career points.

Chirpas is the daughter of Aaron and Jara Chirpas, where she has two sisters, Bella and Lia. Her father Aaron played football at Waynesburg College. Chirpas is a member of the National Honors Society, Varsity High School Academic Letter and Martins Ferry Chamber of Commerce Academic Awards Benquet. She has also participated in the OVAC Varsity Board, Ogdyn Wellness Race, United State Air Force All-Star Leadership Day and the Wheeling West Virginia Soup Kitchen. Chirpas plans to major in exercise science while at Ohio.

Breann Lipold | P | Lake Elsinore, Calif. | Elsinore
A native of Lake Elsinore, Calif., Lipold has played four years of varsity softball for Elsinore high school under head coach Carlos Cordova. In her career, Lipold has a career .443 batting average, with 34 doubles and six home runs. In the circle, Lipold has a career 2.67 ERA with 161 strikeouts. With her travel ball team, the Crush Tillery Beaver, under coaches Luke Tillery and Jessica Beaver, Lipold has a career .459 batting average and 16 home runs, while also sporting a 2.18 ERA with 728 strikeouts.

Lipold was been named All-CIF in 2025, is a three-time First Team All-League pick, MVP Pitcher in 2026, a three-time Scholar Athlete and was the Offensive MVP at the 2025 Colorado Sparkler.

Lipold is the daughter of Stacey and David Lipold and has one older brother, Michael. Lipold is a fan of the LA Dodgers and plans to major in Elementary Education.

Harlie Reich | OF | Purcellville, Va. | Loudoun Valley
Reich, a native of Purcellville, Va., has played four years of varsity softball, earning four varsity letters at Loudoun Valley High School. She has also been a member of the varsity track and field team for two years, earning two letters and played varsity basketball for one year. Reich has also played travel softball for the Tri-State Thunder Golf 18u for three years, Tri-State Thunder Gold 16u, Tri-State Thunder 14u and the Loudoun Liberty.

Reich was named the Alliance Player of the Month in 2026, First Team All-Region and All-Northern Virginia in 2025. She is also a two-time First Team All-District and was a USA HPP Invitee in 2023.

Outside of softball, Reich earned the College Board National Recognition Award, the College Board National Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, AP Scholar Award, Student Council Association Distinguished Member Award and National Honors Society Member.

She is also a member of SCA, a volunteer softball coach and volunteers at Clothing Closet. She is also, president of Spanish Club, Winshape camp volunteer and Younglife work crew weekend volunteer.

Reich is the daughter of David and Kathi Reich and she has one younger brother, Asher and a younger sister, Campbell. Reich plans to major in Exercise Physiology/Pre-Physical Therapy.

Ava Rush | P | Portsmouth, Ohio | Portsmouth, Notre Dame
Rush, a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, has played softball at Portsmouth, Notre Dame High School for four years and is also a member of the swim team. She also played travel softball for Finesse National McBrayer 18u and Ohio Hawks Ford.

Rush is a three-time First Team Southern Ohio Conference and First Team All-District. She was the 2025 and 2026 Pitcher of the Year in the Southern Ohio Conference. Rush was the 2026 District Player of the Year, and named 2026 First Team All-Ohio.

Rush helped lead Portsmouth to the Southern Ohio Conference and District Championship in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and Regional Championship in 2025 and 2026 and the D7 State Championship in 2025 and 2026.

Rush is a member of National Honors Society. She is also the Senior Class Vice President, Key Club Senior Class Representative and a four-year member of Key Club and Pep Club.

Rush is the daughter of Ryan and Kasey Rish and has a younger brother Ace and an twin sister Isabella. Rush plans to major in Early Childhood Education.

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