DAYTON, Ohio – University of Dayton softball head coach Cara LaPlaca has announced the addition of four players to the 2022 roster. One rookie and three transfers will join the team this fall: Haven Dwyer (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas), Kara Gunter (Pataskala, Ohio/Granville/Eastern Kentucky), Kallie Jones (Jacksonville, Fla./Providence School/Florida International) and Kaelene Walter (Vista, Calif./Ranch Buena Vista/Iona).

Haven Dwyer, right-handed pitcher from Cincinnati, is a recent graduate of Archbishop McNicholas High School where she played her prep career under head coach Terry Doyle. She helped lead the Rockets to a district semifinals appearance in 2021 and picked up First Team All-League, All-District, All-City and All-State accolades her senior year. A two-time Greater Catholic League Co-Ed Player of the Year, Dwyer holds several McNicholas program records both in the circle and at the plate including 42 career wins, 26 career shutouts, 161 career hits and 123 career RBI. She played club ball with Ohio Hawks Gold under head coach Wendell Hutchinson.

Kara Gunter (IF/UTL) comes to Dayton after spending the 2021 season at Eastern Kentucky where she saw action in 31 games for the Colonels who went 35-17 on the season and made an appearance in the 2021 NCAA Regional at Tennessee. Gunter graduated magna cum laude from Granville High School in May of 2020 and played under head coach Rae Stuart. A two-time First Team All-State honoree, she helped lead the Blue Aces to a district championship in 2018. Gunter holds the Granville single-season record for hits (53), triples (7) and home runs (9) and also put together a 37-game hitting streak.

A left-handed pitcher and utility player, Kallie Jones graduated from Florida International magna cum laude after three years with the Panthers and will be pursuing her graduate degree at Dayton. She posted a 4.67 ERA over seven appearances in 2021. A 2018 graduate of Providence School of Jacksonville, Jones earned First Team All-State honors following her junior and senior seasons after earning Second Team All-State accolades in 2016. She was also named the 2018 Providence Female Athlete of the Year.

Kaelene Walter (IF) is joining the Flyer squad after two seasons at Iona. She posted a .303 average in 2021, earning the starting nod 24 times for the Gaels, and was a 2021 MAAC All-Academic Team selection. A native of Vista, Calif., Walter graduated from Ranch Buena Vista in 2019 and she played travel ball with the Semper Fi Bulldogs. She claimed San Diego City Conference All-League Second Team honors and was also a 2019 CIF San Diego Section All-State nominee.  

Dwyer, Gunter, Jones and Walter will join Mary Newton, Emma Schutter and Chloe Wong as first-year Dayton players on the Flyers' 2022 roster.