Georgia softball signees Morgan Maxwell, Kyla Hamby and Ava West
November 11, 2026 | Softball
ATHENS, Ga. – Infielder Kyla Hamby, left-handed pitcher Morgan Maxwell and infielder/catcher Ava West signed with the Georgia softball program, head coach Tony Baldwin announced Wednesday afternoon.
Morgan Maxwell | P | Clemmons, N.C. | West Forsyth HS
A left-handed pitcher from Clemmons, North Carolina, Morgan Maxwell begins her Bulldog career as one of the nation's top pitching prospects. She is ranked as the No. 14 overall prospect in the country, as well as the No. 6 pitcher and the top-ranked player in the state of North Carolina. Maxwell is a USA Softball U18 National Team Selection and the 2026 Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year. More, she's earned numerous All-State and North Carolina Pitcher of the Year accolades to go with several Player of the Week recognitions during her prep career. Line Drive Media, PGF and Extra Innings have also frequently highlighted Maxwell as a standout athlete, as well.
Maxwell has flashed in the circle for the duration of her prep career. As a junior, she pitched a career-best 147.1 innings commanding a 0.48 ERA and 17-6 record with 237 punchouts to just 36 walks helping the Titans to the NCHSAA 8A Final Four. More, she allowed just two extra-base hits across 509 at-bats. As a sophomore, she posted a 14-2 mark and 0.95 ERA with 136 strikeouts and 10 walks en route to West Forsyth HS's quarterfinal finish in the NCHSAA 4A state tournament. Impressively, across 378 at-bats, Maxwell did not allow an extra-base hit. The feat also held true during her freshman campaign, as well, pitching 107.1 innings with a 1.04 ERA, 16-3 record and 146 strikeouts. Offensively, she batted .505 with 47 hits, 37 runs, 13 homers and 48 RBI while striking out just four times in 111 plate appearances as a junior. During her sophomore campaign, Maxwell totaled 32 hits, 24 runs, seven home runs and 29 RBI, and as a freshman, she batted a prep career-best .515 with 35 hits, 18 runs, five homers and 33 RBI in 96 plate appearances.
The North Carolina standout has competed at the club level for the Birmingham Thunderbolts, Hotshots National Nelson and GA Impact O'Neal over the course of seven years of action. She helped Hotshots to a third-place PGF finish during her time with the program. Maxwell also swam during her prep career and was a member of the Key Club and her school's Honor Roll.
Morgan was born on May 9th and is the daughter of Stephena and Adana Mcpherson-Maxwell. She intends to major in Psychology along with pursuing Nursing.
Maxwell on choosing Georgia: "I chose Georgia because I felt like I could get the best of both worlds there. I can get a great education and play the sport I love in the SEC. What really sold me was how comfortable I felt around the coaches. It was easy to talk to them, and I felt like I could just be myself. It felt like a family, and that mattered a lot to me. I wanted to be somewhere the coaches would push me to get better and where I'd feel at home, and that's how I felt at Georgia."
Baldwin on Maxwell's signing: "A two-way talent coming to Athens. Very talented LHP and a power bat. Can't wait to get her into the Red and Black. Go Dawgs!"
Kyla Hamby | INF | Stony Point, N.C. | Alexander Central HS
Infielder Kyla Hamby from Stony Point, North Carolina arrives at The Jack after a successful prep career. The No. 74 overall player in the Rivals/Softball America prospect rankings, Hamby is also a multi-time All-Conference player and the 2026 All-Conference Pitcher of the Year. She helped Alexander Central HS to 21-8 record and the third round of the NCHSAA 6A state tournament as a junior. During the campaign, Hamby batted at a .467-clip with 42 hits, 47 runs, 15 RBI and three home runs while also earning NCHSAA All-Tournament, All-State and All-District honors.
Hamby's earlier prep contributions include impressive .573 and .600 batting averages as a sophomore and freshman respectively. She helped the Cougars to the third round of the state tournament in 2025, falling to the eventual tournament champions, and to the state tournament quarterfinals in 2024. Other accolades for Hamby include 2025 All-Tournament, All-State and All-District honors while also being named the 2025 Northwest Player of the Year. More, she was earned High School NFCA 1st Team All-Region and Line Drive 1st Team All-American recognitions while also being named to the Softball America/PGF watchlist.
At the club level, Hamby competed for Team NC Huffman during the 2022 campaign, as well as Rising Sherill Appel from 2023-26. She also played volleyball during her freshman year of high school while maintaining a stellar GPA and class rank.
Kyla was born on September 29th and is the daughter of Kylie and Todd Hamby. Kylie played collegiate softball at Pfeiffer University. She has one sister, Ava. Kyla intends to embark on the pre-dental track while at Georgia.
Hamby on choosing Georgia: "I chose Georgia because I felt like it was exactly where the Lord has led me to be. I instantly feel in love with the coaching staff and it feels like family. You couldn't ask for better people that care so much about their athletes. They truly care about them as people and athletes. Their campus, facilities, and all the resources they have are top notch! I have always wanted to be Bulldog ever since watching them as a little girl! I look forward to competing at the SEC level! GO DAWGS!"
Baldwin on Hamby's signing: "We're excited to add this powerful bat and overall athlete to our organization! Go Dawgs!"
Ava West | INF/C | Monroe, La. | West Monroe HS
Infielder/catcher Ava West arrives in Athens from Monroe, Louisiana where she emerged on the scene as a standout freshman. She is the No. 70 overall prospect in the Rivals/Softball America rankings, as well as the No. 10 overall catcher and the top prospect in the state of Louisiana. West earned All-State, All-District and All-Parish honors in her first three seasons of action in high school along with being named the Ouachita Citizen's Hitter of the Year following her sophomore campaign. She's tallied over 100 hits through her first three campaigns in high school and has driven in over 140 runs.
As a junior, West helped West Monroe HS to the LHSAA Division 1 Non-Select state semifinals in a season where she batted .463 with 53 hits, 38 runs, 16 home runs and 58 RBI. During her sophomore campaign, West helped Sterlington HS to the quarterfinals of the LHSAA Division III Select state tournament after a dominant season in which she batted a career-best .469 with 38 hits, 32 runs, 16 homers and 45 RBI. Sterlington HS was crowned the LHSAA Division III Select state champion during her freshman year in which she posted a .380 average with 32 hits, 30 runs, 10 home runs and 38 RBI.
At the club level, West competed with Fury Platinum X. She helped FPX to a T25 championship in 2026 and has earned a slew of top performer awards across her club career. More, during her prep career, West helped Sterlington HS to a basketball state title while also playing volleyball. West has also been named to the Principal's List for maintaining a GPA of 4.0 or higher during her high school campaign.
Ava was born on March 13th and is the daughter of Nicole and Brian West. Nicole played collegiate basketball at Louisiana Tech, and Brian played collegiate football for LSU after being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in first round of the 1999 amateur draft. She has two sisters, Evie and Estelle. West plans to major in biology on a pre-med track.
West on choosing Georgia: "UGA felt like home the moment I stepped on campus. I immediately fell in love with what Georgia Softball had to offer. Coach Tony and his staff have established a premier program, and it is a true honor to be a part of Georgia Softball. Go Dawgs!"
Baldwin on West's signing: "This competitive, versatile and intelligent athlete is now a Dawg! Can't wait to get her to Athens! Go Dawgs!"
Morgan Maxwell | P | Clemmons, N.C. | West Forsyth HS
A left-handed pitcher from Clemmons, North Carolina, Morgan Maxwell begins her Bulldog career as one of the nation's top pitching prospects. She is ranked as the No. 14 overall prospect in the country, as well as the No. 6 pitcher and the top-ranked player in the state of North Carolina. Maxwell is a USA Softball U18 National Team Selection and the 2026 Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year. More, she's earned numerous All-State and North Carolina Pitcher of the Year accolades to go with several Player of the Week recognitions during her prep career. Line Drive Media, PGF and Extra Innings have also frequently highlighted Maxwell as a standout athlete, as well.
Maxwell has flashed in the circle for the duration of her prep career. As a junior, she pitched a career-best 147.1 innings commanding a 0.48 ERA and 17-6 record with 237 punchouts to just 36 walks helping the Titans to the NCHSAA 8A Final Four. More, she allowed just two extra-base hits across 509 at-bats. As a sophomore, she posted a 14-2 mark and 0.95 ERA with 136 strikeouts and 10 walks en route to West Forsyth HS's quarterfinal finish in the NCHSAA 4A state tournament. Impressively, across 378 at-bats, Maxwell did not allow an extra-base hit. The feat also held true during her freshman campaign, as well, pitching 107.1 innings with a 1.04 ERA, 16-3 record and 146 strikeouts. Offensively, she batted .505 with 47 hits, 37 runs, 13 homers and 48 RBI while striking out just four times in 111 plate appearances as a junior. During her sophomore campaign, Maxwell totaled 32 hits, 24 runs, seven home runs and 29 RBI, and as a freshman, she batted a prep career-best .515 with 35 hits, 18 runs, five homers and 33 RBI in 96 plate appearances.
The North Carolina standout has competed at the club level for the Birmingham Thunderbolts, Hotshots National Nelson and GA Impact O'Neal over the course of seven years of action. She helped Hotshots to a third-place PGF finish during her time with the program. Maxwell also swam during her prep career and was a member of the Key Club and her school's Honor Roll.
Morgan was born on May 9th and is the daughter of Stephena and Adana Mcpherson-Maxwell. She intends to major in Psychology along with pursuing Nursing.
Maxwell on choosing Georgia: "I chose Georgia because I felt like I could get the best of both worlds there. I can get a great education and play the sport I love in the SEC. What really sold me was how comfortable I felt around the coaches. It was easy to talk to them, and I felt like I could just be myself. It felt like a family, and that mattered a lot to me. I wanted to be somewhere the coaches would push me to get better and where I'd feel at home, and that's how I felt at Georgia."
Baldwin on Maxwell's signing: "A two-way talent coming to Athens. Very talented LHP and a power bat. Can't wait to get her into the Red and Black. Go Dawgs!"
Kyla Hamby | INF | Stony Point, N.C. | Alexander Central HS
Infielder Kyla Hamby from Stony Point, North Carolina arrives at The Jack after a successful prep career. The No. 74 overall player in the Rivals/Softball America prospect rankings, Hamby is also a multi-time All-Conference player and the 2026 All-Conference Pitcher of the Year. She helped Alexander Central HS to 21-8 record and the third round of the NCHSAA 6A state tournament as a junior. During the campaign, Hamby batted at a .467-clip with 42 hits, 47 runs, 15 RBI and three home runs while also earning NCHSAA All-Tournament, All-State and All-District honors.
Hamby's earlier prep contributions include impressive .573 and .600 batting averages as a sophomore and freshman respectively. She helped the Cougars to the third round of the state tournament in 2025, falling to the eventual tournament champions, and to the state tournament quarterfinals in 2024. Other accolades for Hamby include 2025 All-Tournament, All-State and All-District honors while also being named the 2025 Northwest Player of the Year. More, she was earned High School NFCA 1st Team All-Region and Line Drive 1st Team All-American recognitions while also being named to the Softball America/PGF watchlist.
At the club level, Hamby competed for Team NC Huffman during the 2022 campaign, as well as Rising Sherill Appel from 2023-26. She also played volleyball during her freshman year of high school while maintaining a stellar GPA and class rank.
Kyla was born on September 29th and is the daughter of Kylie and Todd Hamby. Kylie played collegiate softball at Pfeiffer University. She has one sister, Ava. Kyla intends to embark on the pre-dental track while at Georgia.
Hamby on choosing Georgia: "I chose Georgia because I felt like it was exactly where the Lord has led me to be. I instantly feel in love with the coaching staff and it feels like family. You couldn't ask for better people that care so much about their athletes. They truly care about them as people and athletes. Their campus, facilities, and all the resources they have are top notch! I have always wanted to be Bulldog ever since watching them as a little girl! I look forward to competing at the SEC level! GO DAWGS!"
Baldwin on Hamby's signing: "We're excited to add this powerful bat and overall athlete to our organization! Go Dawgs!"
Ava West | INF/C | Monroe, La. | West Monroe HS
Infielder/catcher Ava West arrives in Athens from Monroe, Louisiana where she emerged on the scene as a standout freshman. She is the No. 70 overall prospect in the Rivals/Softball America rankings, as well as the No. 10 overall catcher and the top prospect in the state of Louisiana. West earned All-State, All-District and All-Parish honors in her first three seasons of action in high school along with being named the Ouachita Citizen's Hitter of the Year following her sophomore campaign. She's tallied over 100 hits through her first three campaigns in high school and has driven in over 140 runs.
As a junior, West helped West Monroe HS to the LHSAA Division 1 Non-Select state semifinals in a season where she batted .463 with 53 hits, 38 runs, 16 home runs and 58 RBI. During her sophomore campaign, West helped Sterlington HS to the quarterfinals of the LHSAA Division III Select state tournament after a dominant season in which she batted a career-best .469 with 38 hits, 32 runs, 16 homers and 45 RBI. Sterlington HS was crowned the LHSAA Division III Select state champion during her freshman year in which she posted a .380 average with 32 hits, 30 runs, 10 home runs and 38 RBI.
At the club level, West competed with Fury Platinum X. She helped FPX to a T25 championship in 2026 and has earned a slew of top performer awards across her club career. More, during her prep career, West helped Sterlington HS to a basketball state title while also playing volleyball. West has also been named to the Principal's List for maintaining a GPA of 4.0 or higher during her high school campaign.
Ava was born on March 13th and is the daughter of Nicole and Brian West. Nicole played collegiate basketball at Louisiana Tech, and Brian played collegiate football for LSU after being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in first round of the 1999 amateur draft. She has two sisters, Evie and Estelle. West plans to major in biology on a pre-med track.
West on choosing Georgia: "UGA felt like home the moment I stepped on campus. I immediately fell in love with what Georgia Softball had to offer. Coach Tony and his staff have established a premier program, and it is a true honor to be a part of Georgia Softball. Go Dawgs!"
Baldwin on West's signing: "This competitive, versatile and intelligent athlete is now a Dawg! Can't wait to get her to Athens! Go Dawgs!"
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