News Summary
The Arizona softball team is navigating a challenging offseason with ten players entering the transfer portal, including key contributors Sydney Somerndike and Zaedi Tagalog. Sophomore pitcher Somerndike has committed to UCLA, while Tagalog is transferring to Pacific for a larger role. These changes reflect a broader trend within collegiate athletics as teams adapt to transfer portal dynamics. Arizona is also looking to strengthen its roster as they prepare for the upcoming season, adding new talent and adjustments following a disappointing NCAA Tournament exit.
Tucson, Arizona – The Arizona softball team is undergoing significant changes this offseason, with ten players entering the transfer portal. Among these departures, nine are active players from the squad. Key transfers include pitcher Sydney Somerndike, who has committed to UCLA, and outfielder Zaedi Tagalog, who will play for Pacific in the upcoming season. Infielder Logan Cole remains uncommitted and is the lone active player from the group still exploring options.
Somerndike’s move to UCLA follows a challenging career at Arizona, where she faced multiple injuries that limited her participation on the field. During the 2025 season, she pitched only 0.2 innings, achieving an ERA of 21.00 over two appearances. Over her entire time at Arizona, Somerndike logged 46 innings of play, collected a 4.26 ERA, and recorded a career record of 4-2 through 24 appearances and seven starts. Her transfer comes as UCLA looks to bolster its pitching staff after losing two of its top three pitchers to the portal, alongside ongoing roster adjustments due to significant player departures.
Tagalog, who contributed as both a pinch runner and pinch hitter during her two seasons at Arizona, appeared in 65 games. Her versatility on the field will be an asset as she transitions to Pacific, where she aims to secure a more prominent role in the lineup. The Bruins, having recently faced a major overhaul that saw six players depart via the portal after their Women’s College World Series appearance, are actively seeking new talent to ensure competitiveness in the upcoming season.
Overall, the Arizona softball program is experiencing a dramatic offseason as it adjusts to the transfer portal activity. The departures of Somerndike and Tagalog signal a shift in the team’s composition as it seeks to enhance its roster for the upcoming 2026 season. Following their NCAA Tournament exit, pitching staff member Aissa Silva also announced her intention to enter the transfer portal. Throughout her career, Silva held a record of 26-10 with a 3.69 ERA but struggled for playing time behind teammates Devyn Netz and Miranda Stoddard in recent seasons.
The changes in both Arizona’s softball and baseball programs underscore a widespread trend within collegiate athletics as teams adapt to new opportunities presented by the transfer portal. Arizona’s baseball program noted similar activity, acquiring notable players from institutions like Hawaii and San Diego State. Recent announcements include pitcher Jalen Adams transferring to Arizona, which illustrates the efforts to build a formidable lineup as both teams prepare for the 2026 season.
As Arizona strives to secure new talent, several new players have been announced for the next season, including Tele Jennings from San Diego and Sereniti Trice from Iowa State. This influx of new players, alongside the effort to acquire additional pitchers, indicates Arizona’s commitment to strengthening their overall team performance moving forward.
With the offseason still unfolding, Arizona’s softball and baseball teams remain committed to building competitive rosters for the 2026 season, showcasing the dynamic nature of collegiate athletics in the modern era.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- AZ Desert Swarm: Arizona Softball Transfers
- Sports Illustrated: Arizona Adds Transfers
- Zona Zealots: Aissa Silva Transfer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Google Search: Arizona softball transfers
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
