EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Softball announced the signings of five student-athletes for its incoming 2026-27 class.
Head Coach Sue Kunkle and the Screaming Eagles will welcome Kinley Miller, Halle Kitley, Lila Koontz, Macey Pugh, and Ava Grace Pogue to the squad in 2026-27.
“This class will bring offensive power, a tremendous amount of athleticism, passion for the game, versatility, and pitching,” Kunkle stated. “We are thrilled about the potential of this class and the energy they will bring. We feel fortunate to have another group of student-athletes that will fit perfectly into our culture and our style of play.”
Kinley Miller (Evansville, Indiana) is a 5’7″ switch-hitting infielder and utility from Evansville F.J. Reitz High School. Miller is a speedy, versatile athlete with a great defensive glove and is an offensive threat from both sides of the plate. Last season, Miller hit .438 with 16 RBIs and scored 24 runs. Miller had 13 extra-base hits, including four home runs. During her high school career, Miller has batted over .400 with more than 40 RBIs and eight home runs. With the Panthers, Miller has won a Silver Glove Award and was named all-conference first team. Miller competed for the Kevin Brown Eagles at travel club level.
Halle Kitley (Flora, Illinois) is a 5’9″ left-handed pitcher from Flora High School. Kitley will add to USI’s deep pitching staff from the left side while bringing tons of experience and success. Kitley has totaled over 500 strikeouts through three seasons of high school softball, including 238 strikeouts last season as a junior. Kitley posted a 2.72 ERA last season. Offensively, Kitley has batted over .350 each season. Kitley is a three-time all-conference honoree, including MVP in 2025, and a two-time SICA All-South Team selection. Last season, Kitley was named to the Illinois Coaches Association Class 2A All-State First Team. In 2023, her team was Black Diamond Conference co-champions and regional champions. Kitley played club travel ball for the Kevin Brown Eagles.
Lila Koontz (Bloomfield, Indiana) is a 5’7″ switch-hitting infielder and right-handed pitcher out of Bloomfield High School. Koontz adds power from both sides of the plate while bringing a highly skilled glove defensively and success in the pitching circle. Koontz batted .429 with 21 RBIs and 18 extra-base hits, including five home runs, while scoring 25 runs as a junior in 2024-25. As a sophomore, Koontz hit over .500. Through three seasons in high school, Koontz has hit over .400, belted 13 home runs, collected 58 RBIs, and scored 76 runs. On the pitching side, Koontz is coming off a 7-3 season with a 2.72 ERA and 110 strikeouts during her junior season. During her high school career, Koontz has been the team MVP three times and won a gold glove in 2022. Plus, Koontz set a team batting average record, single-season doubles record, and tied a career record for home runs. Koontz played club travel ball for the Kevin Brown Eagles.
Macey Pugh (Clayton, Indiana) is a 5’8″ utility from Cascade High School who brings power from the left side of the plate and can play both infield and outfield defensively. In 2024-25, Pugh batted .448 with 15 extra-base hits, including five home runs, and 31 RBIs. Pugh also scored 32 runs during her junior season. During her high school career, Pugh has a .395 batting average with 15 home runs, including seven in a single season, and 80 RBIs. In high school, Pugh was a member of a regional championship squad her freshman year, a state championship team her sophomore year, and a sectional championship team her junior year. Pugh played club travel ball for the Indiana Prospects.
Ava Grace Pogue (Brownsburg, Indiana) is a 5’4″ catcher/infielder out of Brownsburg High School. Pogue will add to USI’s depth behind the plate as well as at third base and second base. Offensively, Pogue brings another power bat to the Screaming Eagles lineup. Through three high school seasons, Pogue has batted over .320 with 31 RBIs and six home runs. Pogue has reached base at a .379 clip while slugging .488. Pogue is a two-time all-conference selection, a second-team honoree in 2023 and a first-team honoree in 2024. Pogue was also named second-team all-state in 2024. Pogue was also a two-time team defensive player of the year. Pogue played club travel ball for the Scenic City All-Star Team.
USI Softball heads into its first season as a full active Division I member with eligibility for potential NCAA postseason berths in 2026. The 2026 spring championship schedule will be released later.
