Eight Recruits Sign With Bluejay Softball - Creighton University Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. – Creighton softball head coach Krista Wood announced the signing of eight recruits to the Bluejay program for the spring of 2028 on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

Joining the Bluejays next fall will be Abby Beard (Omaha, Neb.), Kaylin Brannon (Mt. Pleasant, Texas), Becca Dinkelman (Grand Island, Neb.), Kailynne Keister (Vinton, Va.), Isabelle Matthews (Paragould, Ark.), Chelsea Miller (Hartville, Ohio), Taylor Sanchez (Williamsburg, Iowa) and Emma Walker (Poteau, Okla.).

"Our 2028 signing class embodies everything we look for in a Bluejay," said Wood. "This group brings depth, power, speed, athleticism at the plate, and great strength in the circle. They have the ability to impact the game in every phase of the game. More importantly, they fit the standard, culture, and competitive mindset that define Creighton Softball. We are excited about the future these student-athletes will help build and can't wait to see their impact in a Bluejay uniform."

Abby Beard, Outfielder, Omaha, Nebraska, Millard North HS

Committed to Creighton in September of 2025.
A four-year varsity letterwinner and starting outfielder at Millard North High School in Omaha.
Beard battled through injuries to guide the Mustangs to their first Nebraska Class A State Title in 33 years as a senior, closing her prep career hitting .477 with 155 hits, 36 doubles, 40 home runs, 161 RBI and 139 runs scored.
Garnered a spot on the NEBPreps Class A State All-Tournament Team after hitting .400 with a double, two homers, three walks, five RBI and four runs scored during the Mustangs run to a state championship.
Led Millard North to three consecutive Class A State Runner-up finishes, earning Omaha World Herard and Lincoln Journal State Class A First Team All-State recognition as a sophomore and junior.
Earned NFCA First Team All-Region and First Team All-Metro Conference honors following her junior year when she hit a blistering .510 (49-of-96) with nine doubles, 20 home runs, 62 RBI and 55 runs scored.
Her 20 home runs as a junior shattered the Millard North single season school record and were the second-most by a player at the high school level in the country.
Hit a program-record .568 with 17 homers, 12 doubles, 59 RBI and 50 runs scored on the way to earning Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star First Team All-State accolades as a sophomore.
Was also recognized as the NFCA National Player of the Week in 2024 after hitting .667 with six home runs and 11 RBI during the Mustangs state tournament run.
Played club softball for Nebraska Gold under the direction of Larry Swift, where she was a finalist for the PGF Junior Futures Regional Game in 2026.

"We're excited to welcome Abby Beard to Bluejay Softball," stated Wood. "As a hometown recruit, Abby brings a powerful bat to our lineup and has the ability to change the game with one swing. She helped lead Millard North Softball to its first state championship in 33 years, demonstrating the leadership, toughness, and winning mentality that we value in our program. She is a tremendous leader, an outstanding teammate, and someone who embodies the culture and standards we strive to uphold every day. Her commitment to excellence and team-first mentality, makes her a perfect fit for Bluejay Softball, and we're thrilled to have her join our family."

Kaylin "KK" Brannon, Outfielder, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Mt. Pleasant HS

Verbally committed to Creighton is September of 2025
Earned a combined 14 letters at Mt. Pleasant High School in softball (four), basketball (four), track (four) and volleyball (two).
Earned TSWA Third Team All-State outfield honors and was named the Class 5A-District 15 Most Valuable Player after hitting .567 with 10 doubles, five homers and 32 RBI as a junior.
Established new Mt. Pleasant single season school records with 61 hits and 39 stolen bases in 2026 on the way to claiming First Team All-District accolades.
Posted a team-best .438 batting average with four triples, three home runs, 17 RBI and 25 stolen bases as a sophomore when she earned First Team All-District honor.
Led the Tigers to 24 victories and earned All-District honors as a freshman.
Played club softball for the Impact Gold NTX National 18U team under the direction of Jeff Martin, where she captured Alliance Fastpitch All-Tournament Team acclaim in 2026.
Brannon also excelled on the basketball court in high school, garnering TABC Class 5A All-Region and First Team All-District accolades as a junior.
With lighting quick speed, Brannon also was a three-time regional qualifier on the track in the 4x100 and 4x200-meter relays.
Off the field, Brannon was a three-time Academic All-District honoree in softball, basketball and track and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"We're thrilled to welcome KK Brannon to Bluejay Softball family," added Wood. "KK is a true triple threat at the plate with the ability to bunt, slap, and swing away, creating pressure on defenses every time she steps into the batter's box. Her tremendous speed allows her to impact the game in a variety of ways, whether it's stealing bases, getting into scoring position, or creating opportunities for runs to score. Defensively, her speed and athleticism make her a difference-maker in the outfield, where she covers a lot of ground and tracks down balls in the gaps. KK's dynamic skill set and competitive nature makes her an exciting addition to our program, and we're looking forward to the impact she'll have in a Creighton uniform."
Becca Dinkelman, Infielder, Grand Island, Nebraska, Grand Island Northwest HS

Verbally committed to Creighton is September of 2025.
Combined for seven varsity letters in softball (four) and track (three) at Grand Island Northwest High School.
Led her team to a combined record of 107-18 over four seasons at Northwest, claiming four district championships, four state tournament appearances and two NSAA Class B State Titles.
Finished her prep career ranked in the top 10 in program history in home runs (2^nd), RBI (3^rd), walks (3^rd), batting average (6^th), runs scored (7^th), total hits (7^th) and on-base percentage (7^th).
Hit an impressive .427 with a 1.040 slugging percentage on six doubles, 12 homers, 36 RBI and nine stolen bases as she guided the Vikings to a 24-5 overall record and a semifinal appearance at the Class B State Tournament.
Was named to the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star All-State First Team in 2025, leading her team to a 30-2 record and their second straight Class A State Championship.
Also earned First Team All-Heartland honors following her junior year when she recorded a .457 batting average with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 46 RBI.
Claimed Honorable Mention All-State honors as a sophomore when she hit a scorching .435 on a team-best 40 hits, including eight doubles, eight homers and 36 RBI on a Northwest team that captured the Class B state title with a 30-4 overall record.
Began her prep career garnering Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Jornal Star Honorable Mention All-State acclaim after posting a .431 batting average with seven home runs and 29 RBI as a freshman.
Teamed up with fellow signee Abby Beard to play club softball for Nebraska Gold under the direction of Larry Swift.
Becca also excelled on the track, racing her way to a pair top-five finishes at the Nebraska State Track meet in the 4x100-meter relay.
Comes from a long line of athletes in her family as her father (Brian) played basketball at Nebraska Wesleyan and her brother (Sam) plays baseball at Northwest Missouri State.

"We're excited to welcome Becca Dinkleman to Bluejay Softball. As a Nebraska native, Becca brings a rare combination of power at the plate, athleticism, and versatility in the infield," said Wood. "Beyond her talent, she is a natural leader whose competitive spirit elevates everyone around her. We know her work ethic and determination will make an immediate impact on our program, and we're excited to see her represent Creighton both on and off the field."

Kailynne Keister, Utility, Vinton, Virginia, Staunton River HS

A three-year starting infield/utility player for Staunton River HS in Vinton, Va.
Garnered First Team All-District and All-Region honors as a junior when she guided the Golden Eagles to their third straight District Championship.
Was also named to the Virginia Class 3 All-State First Team after hitting .446 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, 32 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
Tabbed as the Virginia Sports Illustrated Player of the Year in 2025 when she set a single season school record with 13 home runs as a sophomore. Her 13 blasts were the second-most by a player in the state of Virginia in 2025.
Recognized as the Class 3 Regional Player of the Year following her sophomore season as she posted a .446 batting average on a team-best 41 hits and 34 RBI.
Also claimed first team all-district and all-region, as well as second team all-state accolades as she guided her Staunton River to the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
Hit an impressive .375 with 12 doubles, 16 RBI and 25 stolen bases, earning First Team All-District and All-Region and Second Team All-State acclaim.
Played club softball for Lady Lightning Gold Elite under the direction of John Corn.
Off the field, Kailynne excelled in the classroom earning high honors all three years and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Kaelyn is an infielder who brings a tremendous combination of talent, instincts, and experience to our program," stated Wood. "She has the ability to add power to our lineup and impact the game offensively, while her understanding of the game and natural instincts set her apart on the field. Kaelyn is a hard worker who is committed to her development and embodies the competitive spirit we value within our Bluejay Softball program. We are excited to welcome her to the Bluejay family and look forward to the impact she will make both on and off the field."

Isabelle Matthews, Pitcher, Paragould, Arkansas, Greene County Technical HS

Verbally committed to Creighton in September of 2025.
A three-time letterwinner and varsity starting pitcher for Greene County Technical School in Arkansas.
Earned Arkansas Class 5A All-State honors after recording 194 strikeouts and a 1.80 ERA over 112 innings of work as a junior.
Also hit .415 with a .463 slugging percentage to claim Triple A All-State accolades in 2026 after guiding the Eagles to the quarterfinals of the Arkansas Class 5A state tournament.
Recognized on the Best Under the Sun team by the Jonesboro Sun in 2025 after posting a 2.08 ERA with 195 strikeouts in 117.1 innings of work as a sophomore.
Guided the Eagles to a Class 5A East Conference title and a state quarterfinals appearance on the way to claiming First Team All-State honors in 2025.
She also led Greene County Technical to a conference title and a state semifinal appearance with 24 victories in 2024.
Named as the Jonesboro Sun Newcomer of the Year following her freshman season when posted a 1.93 ERA with 164 strikeouts in 108.1 innings of work.
Played club softball for D1Vision under the direction of Tammy Vermeulen.

"Isabelle is a fierce competitor in the circle, who brings a tremendous work ethic and commitment to getting better every day," said Wood. "She combines strong velocity with quality movement, making her a tough matchup for hitters. What stands out most is her determination and confidence on the mound, along with the way she embraces challenges. We are excited to welcome Isabelle to Bluejay Softball and look forward to the impact she will make on our program."

Chelsea Miller, Outfielder, Hartville, Ohio, Marlington HS

Verbally committed to Creighton in September of 2025.
A three-year starting outfielder for Marlington High School in Ohio.
Has continued her ascension to becoming one of the top hitters in the state of Ohio all-time as she enters her senior year at Marlington as the school's all-time career leader in home runs (45), triples (23) and RBI (154).
Selected as a First Team outfielder by the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (OHSFSCA) after hitting a ridiculous .607 with 15 home runs, 50 RBI, 55 runs scored and 15 walks as a junior.
Also received Stark County Player of the Year and First Team OHSFSCA Northeast All-District accolades in 2026 as she guided the Dukes to their second consecutive Eastern Buckeye Conference title.
She impressed offensively in a win over Ravenna this past May when she hit for the cycle in the Dukes' 24-0 run-rule victory.
Earned Second Team All-Ohio and First Team OHSFSCA Northeast All-District recognition following a record-breaking sophomore season that saw her lead Marlington to a EBC league championship.
Honored as the Stark County and Eastern Buckeye Conference Player of the Year in 2025 after setting single season program records for triples (12), home runs (17) and RBI (53) as a sophomore.
Also received Unanimous First Team All-EBC and the Golden Slugger Award from Small Towne Media after hitting a blistering .600 with a team-best 50 hits during her sophomore season.
Broke out onto the scenes as a freshman, claiming Honorable Mention All-Ohio and Eastern Buckeye Offensive Player of the Year acclaim in 2024.
Played club softball for Indiana Magic Gold under the direction of Brian Green.
Outside of softball, Miller has excelled in the classroom, earning high honors and a EBC Student-Scholar Athlete Award in all three seasons.

"Chelsea is a player who can impact the game in multiple ways," said Wood. "She swings with intent, provides a strong left-handed bat to our lineup, and has the ability to cover significant ground in the outfield. Combined with her strong arm and competitive nature, Chelsea brings qualities that will help our program continue to grow and succeed. With one year still remaining in her high school career, she already holds multiple career hitting records for her program, a testament to her consistency and offensive production. Chelsea's leadership, work ethic, and ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball, make her an outstanding addition to the Bluejay Softball program."

Taylor Sanchez, Infielder, Williamsburg, Iowa, Williamsburg HS

Committed to Creighton verbally in November of 2025.
Having played high school softball since eighth grade, Taylor is a four-time letterwinner and varsity starter in softball for the Raiders.
Has guided her Williamsburg squad to four straight WAMAC Conference Titles, four consecutive District championships and three Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) Class 3A State Championships.
Led the Raiders to a 41-7 record in 2026, earning Des Moines Register Elite All-State, IGHSAU First Team All-State, First Team All-WAMAC and First Team All-District honors after setting single season school records for batting average (.551), hits (75) and RBI (61) as a junior.
Led the entire state of Iowa with 23 doubles, while her 75 total hits and her 61 RBI ranked as the second and 10^th-most in the state during the 2026 season.
Claimed a spot on the Class 3A State All-Tournament team as she hit .467 with 11 RBI and eight runs scored during the Raiders runs to a runner-up finish at the state tournament.
Recognized as the KCRG-TV9 Athlete of the Week on July 26^th after delivering a walk-off two-run home run in the Raiders win over PCM in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
Guided Williamsburg to their third straight IGHSAU Class 3A State Championship as a sophomore, earning First Team All-WAMAC and First Team All-District honors.
Recognized as a Second Team All-State honoree after hitting .431 with 41 RBI on seven doubles, six triples and six home runs in 2025.
Hit .349 with 11 doubles, 36 RBI and 13 stolen bases as she claimed Second Team All-WAMAC Conference honors as a freshman.
Was also named the Class 3A State All-Tournament Team Captain as a freshman, hitting .400 with seven RBI on a pair of home runs as the Raiders cruised to its second state title in as many years.
Helped Williamsburg capture a Conference, District and State title with a 36-9 overall record as she hit .300 with 13 RBI and 14 stolen bases an eighth grader.
Played club softball for Iowa Alliance Nationals under the direction of Ryan Gripp.
Also excelled on the basketball court and track, earning All-State recognition on the Blue Oval in 2024 and First Team All-Conference honors in basketball in 2026.
In the classroom, Taylor is a three-time Academic All-Conference honoree in softball, basketball and track and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"We are thrilled to welcome Taylor to Bluejay Softball, stated Wood. "She is a proven winner who helped lead her team to three Iowa state championships and understands the commitment, toughness, and consistency required for success. Taylor brings a dependable bat, versatility in the infield, and a competitive edge that elevates everyone around her. Her accomplishment of leading the state in doubles speaks to her offensive production, and we are excited about the impact she will make in our program."

Emma Walker, Infielder, Poteau, Oklahoma, Poteau HS

Verbally committed to Creighton in September of 2025.
Claimed seven total letters as a Pirate in softball (four) and track (three).
Was recently named to the All-State and Class 4A-6 All-District team as she guided the Pirates to the Regional Finals.
Also claimed All-Region Middle Infielder honors as a senior in 2026 when hit .429 with nine doubles, seven triples, 31 RBI and 37 runs scored.
Recognized as the Class 4A-6 District Defensive Player of the Year and as a member on the LeFlore Couty All-Tournament Team as a junior when she hit .389 with six doubles, five home runs, 28 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
Hit .355 with seven doubles, six triples, 19 RBI and 37 runs scored as she led Poteau to a regional championship as a sophomore.
Broke out onto the stage as a freshman, posting a .462 batting average with 11 doubles, 32 RBI and 37 runs scored to earn Rive River Valley Democrat-Gazette Girls Softball Newcomer of the Year and the Fastpitch Rookie of the Year honors.
Helped Poteau post a 36-9-1 overall record, guiding the Pirates to a Super Regional Championship and the Oklahoma Fall Fastpitch Class 4A State Tournament in 2023.
Played club softball for the Oklahoma Epic organization under the direction of Scotty Smith.
Also excelled on the track, helping smash both the Poteau school record and the all-time Oklahoma Class 4A State Meet record with a historic finishing time of 48.00 seconds in the 4x100-meter relay Oklahoma Class 4A State Meet.
Comes from a long line of athletes as her grandfather, Wayne Hoffman, played football at the University of Oklahoma and her cousin, Jax Ryan, played baseball at both Arizona State and Missouri State.

"Emma is the type of student-athlete who fits everything we value here at Creighton," said Wood. "Her versatility allows her to contribute anywhere on the field, and her willingness to do whatever the team needs makes her incredibly valuable. Emma is a great teammate who loves the game, works hard every day, and brings a positive energy to those around her. Her work ethic, character, and passion for softball makes her a natural fit for our culture, and we're excited to welcome her to the Bluejay family."

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